Load unpacked Chrome extension programmatically

Question

Is it possible to load and unload unpacked Chrome extensions from the Command Line?

Answer 1

3 ways install/use Chrome extensions offline:

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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

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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

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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