Load unpacked Chrome extension programmatically

It is possible to install using --load-and-launch-app=path/to/app

it is working for both apps and extensions. (I tested on chrome Version 35.0.1916.153 m)

I am not sure that there is another command for uninstalling. I found this list of chromium commands which is very useful.


Yes, although only temporarily *:

chromium --load-extension=path/to/extension

If you want to load multiple extensions, just separate the path by a comma:

chromium --load-extension=path/to/extension,path/to/another/extension

Replace chromium with chrome.exe (or whatever is used to start your Chrome/Chromium browser).

* When you close the browser, and starts it again without the command line argument, then the extension will disappear from the list of installed extensions.


3 ways install/use Chrome extensions offline:

Method A: Drag & Drop (Simple)

  • Drag & drop ABP.crx on: chrome://extensions to install

Pros: Installs web & non-westore extensions

Cons: Google quickly & permanently disables non-webstore extensions

Method B: Load unzipped extension/7zip to unzip/ABP used as example

  • UnZip ABP.crx: C:\ABP
  • Load 1: Shortcut: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --load-extension="C:\ABP"
  • Load 2: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --load-extension="C:\ABP,C:\IEtab"

Pros: Permanently enables non-webstore extensions, so long as your using custom shortcut

Cons: Extensions only load via custom shortcut

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3 fixes for extracted extension errors: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  • Won't load: Create shortcut to folder containing manifest file, for example: akkmfdhlogbapbcgojknhfgppcionopk\5.4.7_0

  • Metadata: Extension\delete _metadata folder

  • Disabled: Open manifest.json with notepad & locate:

"name": "MSG_appName",

"offline_enabled": true,

Create: "offline_enabled": true, if it doesn't exist

Method C: WinRar SFX (Mass install local/non-local profile apps)

Chrome extracts all plugins to: %LocalAppData%\Google\User Data\Default\Extensions

Extensions list by web-store ID. Example: ABP=cfhdojbkjhnklbpkdaibdccddilifddb

ABP needs 3 files: Some extensions may only require 2

  • Install all plugins needed, remove all not needed. Exit Chrome.
  • Backup: %LocalAppData%\Google to: C:\Backup\Google
  • Copy: %LocalAppData%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions to: C:\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions
  • Copy: %LocalAppData%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\secure preferences to: C:\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\secure preferences
  • Copy: %LocalAppData%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings to: C:\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings
  • Create WinRar SFX: Extract C:\Google to: %LocalAppData%\Google

(ABP stores settings: %LocalAppData%\Google\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings)

Pros: Mass install web & non-webstore apps, from local/nonlocal pc's

Cons: Google quickly & permanently disables non-webstore extensions

When SFX imports secure preferences file, it replaces old extensions/settings with imported

Restore Chrome Backup:

  • Exit Chrome & delete %LocalAppData%\Google\Chrome
  • Copy C:\Backup\Google to: %LocalAppData%\Google
  • Launch Chrome

Tags:

Shell

Command Line

Google Chrome

Google Chrome Extension

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