Google Chrome has a vast number of add-ons, called
extensions, which can be installed for a better browsing experience. Normally
we’ll find these little programs on Chrome’s official web store, which gives us the peace of mind that they aren’t
malicious or broken. Attempting an install from a website other than the Chrome
Web Store can then result in the error “Apps,
extensions, and user scripts cannot be added from this website”.
One way
to traverse this prompt and add any add-on you so desire, is to do it in developer mode. Developer mode allows
this due to what the name suggests: for developing purposes.
Save the
extension
Begin by
downloading the .crx extension file. Since a regular left-click will attempt an
automatic install and result in the error, right-click
on the download link and choose to Save
link as…. This will download the file to your local computer.
Once the
.crx file is stored locally, locate it and open Google Chrome. Choose one of
the two methods below to get the add-on installed.
Install the
Extension
Method 1:
Choose the top right menu settings icon, select Tools,
and then Extensions.
Method 2:
Alternatively,
accessing the URL chrome://extensions will
result in the same destination.
Check Developer mode on the top right
so it’s enabled.
Now drag and drop the .crx
extension file you’ve downloaded right to this page.
Installing
extensions this way really isn’t complicated and can easily bypass the error
shown above. It’s noted to take caution when installing extensions in this way.
Immediately before installation, be sure to read what the extension is able to
do to your browser.
Allow ‘3rd
Party’ Add-ons Indefinitely
One way
to bypass this step of enabling developer mode is by always running Chrome in a
manner that accepts extensions from sources other than the Web Store.
Go to the
shortcut you use for opening Chrome,
right-click, and choose properties. This could be on your
desktop, quick launch bar on the taskbar, or in the start menu.
Add the
following after the last quote of the path to Chrome in the Target container: –enable-easy-off-store-extension-install
Take note
to insert a space after the end quote of chrome.exe.
OK out of
any remaining prompts. These new changes will be effective next time Chrome is
exited and re-launched.
Installing
add-ons in this manner was tested using Chrome
Version 23.0
No comments:
Post a Comment