Go back to the chrome://extensions/ page and click the Load unpacked extension button and select the unzipped folder for your extension to install it.įor more, learn how to mute browser tabs and why Google won't build an ad-blocker into Chrome. Locate the ZIP file on your computer and unzip it.ĥ. Use a CRX Extractor app - I used CRX Extractor - to unpack the CRX file and turn it into a ZIP file.Ĥ. Go to chrome://extensions/ and check the box for Developer mode in the top right.ģ. Download the CRX file to your computer for the Chrome extension you want to install.Ģ. Still with me? OK, here are the steps needed to install an extension from somewhere other than the Chrome Web Store.ġ. And here's the part where I say again that installing unverified extensions from unknown sources is risky and could expose your computer to malicious code. If you are willing to assume the risk, there is a side door that Google left ajar for developers to test out their extensions, which you can use to install extensions that aren't listed in the Chrome Web Store. Now, according to Google, 'to protect you while you browse, Chrome only lets you use extensions that have been published on the Chrome Web Store.'

Last year, you needed only to enable Developer mode before installing a CRX (Chrome extension) file.

A few years ago, you could simply install an extension from a developer's site without any hassle.

Google has, over the years, increased its restrictions for installing third-party Chrome extensions to help protect Chrome users from malicious code.

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