How to disable Google Chrome extension autoupdate

Question

How do I disable Google Chrome extension autoupdate?

Answer 1

Just (re)install the extension via Load unpacked.

Let's suppose "Roboform Password Manager" extension version 8.6.5.5 dropped some important functionality, so you want to keep version 8.6.2.2 installed.

1. Go to chrome://extensions/

2. Enable Developer mode

3. Get the required version of the plugin:

   • If Chrome still got the version you need:

     • Utilize Pack extension button on the plugin details page.
     • Just copy the extension folder, e.g. C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\pnlccmojcmeohlpggmfnbbiapkmbliob. The extension id is visible in the url bar, on the plugin details page, e.g. chrome://extensions/?id=pnlccmojcmeohlpggmfnbbiapkmbliob.

   • If the version you need was overwritten already:

     • Get appropriate ".crx" from some extensions archive
     • Look for ".crx" in "C:\Program Files\..." (applications/installers sometimes bundle original ".crx" versions, unaffected by any updates)

4. Unzip (e.g. with 7-zip) your ".crx" (or paste the extension folder contents) to a non-temporary folder - you would have to keep those files in place until you uninstall the extension.
   

5. Click Load unpacked, select that folder.

If you just drag&drop the ".crx" file, Chrome extension details would show Source=Chrome Web Store, and it would get updated as soon as you click Update extensions now. But for an unpacked extension, you get a special "Unpacked extension" overlay icon, Source=Unpacked extension and it won't get updated.

Just tested on Chrome 79.0.3945.88 (64-bit), Windows.

Now, Chrome shows "Disable developer mode extensions" popup on each startup. Personally, I just manually dismiss them each time. I do not re-start Chrome too often.