Install chrome extensions via GPO

Question

I'm attepting to install the adblock chrome extension using Google's Chrome ADM's.

User Configuration/Policies/Classic Administrative Templates/Google/Google Chrome/Extensions

Configure the list of force-installed extensions

On the list I have the extension's ID and update URL, which google alludes to in their documentation here and here:

gighmmpiobklfepjocnamgkkbiglidom;https://clients2.googleusercontent.com/crx/download/OAAAAMcNmg40_PduZlM3g5RwKyephtivPe8WdfQvWSRvhiHzrcK7rq-gXuF37bTwLfLPyVSTPaQkAXkHIklkQOFOqzUAxlKa5asxHnxnSbCB7xq3hVhoYHdhKQHD/extension_2_5_38.crx

I managed to get the update URL using the instructions in this question, but so far, I have been unsuccessful in that the extension is not actually getting installed.

Is there something I'm missing or doing incorrectly?

Solution 1

Apparently, the "Configure the list of force-installed extensions" ADM policy simply does not work at all.

So, I ended up having to use the registry method.

NOTE: If using the registry method, the extension is automatically disabled in version 25 of Chrome. Also note that for Chrome 25 and up, the ADM policy now works.

1. Find the extension ID of your desired extension. This is the unique ID of the extension in the Chrome webstore. You can see this ID in the URL of the extension ie:

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/gighmmpiobklfepjocnamgkkbiglidom

or, Open the extensions list in Chrome; tick the Developer Mode tick box and then click the arrow next to the extension you want to deploy - the extension ID will be underneath the extension's heading.

At this point, it is worth making note of the extension's version number too, as you will need this later on in the deployment.

2. Open a browser other than chrome - Firefox will work fine. Paste the following line into the address bar, replacing the ----- with the extension ID

https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx?response=redirect&x=id%3D-----%26uc Press enter to access this URL; you will be prompted to save the .crx file.

Copy this .crx file to your deployment shared folder eg \Server\SoftwareDeployment\ChromeExtensions\.crx

Source: http://bdts.com.au/tips/48-msi-packaging/156-deploy-google-chrome.html

Next, add the registry keys in computer configuration\preferences\windows settings\registry:

Create the following registry key values:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Google\Chrome\Extensions\[id of your extension crx]\path
TYPE: REG_SZ
VALUE: "\\server\NETLOGON\path\to\your\extension.crx"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Google\Chrome\Extensions\[id of your extension crx]\version
TYPE: REG_SZ
VALUE: [version of your .crx as specified in the manifest]

Source: http://support.google.com/a/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=188453

Solution 2

The problem with the original configuration is that the URL after the extension ID must point to the update URL, not to the CRX URL. The correct URL for the webstore is

https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx

This is described at http://www.chromium.org/administrators/policy-list-3#ExtensionInstallForcelist. Please file a bug on the chromium bug tracker using the Enterprise Issue template if a policy isn't working as expected.

Comments

[Force Flow]

According to RSOP, yes, the GPO is being applied.

[SpacemanSpiff]

What are the OS versions of the client?

[Force Flow]

Windows XP and Windows 7; both running the latest service packs and updates. XP has the client side extensions update installed.