Chrome Browser quick start (Linux)

3. Install apps

You can automatically install Chrome apps and extensions on your users' Linux computers. You can also control which apps or extensions they can install themselves. You set a default policy (ExtensionSettings) for all apps and extensions. Then, if you want to customize a specific app or extension, override the default settings. To install apps in the cloud, you can use Chrome Enterprise Core.

Step 1: Update configuration file

Using your preferred JavaScript® Object Notation (JSON) file editor:

  1. Go to your /etc/opt/chrome/policies/managed folder.
  2. Create or update a JSON file for the ExtensionSettings policy.
  3. Set your desired app and extension policies (details below). 

Step 2: Set policies

To control how Chrome Browser installs apps and extensions, you can set 2 types of policies:

  • Default policy that applies for all apps and extensions. Use the * value.
  • (Optional) Custom policy for individual apps or extensions. Use the app or extension ID.

You can control whether an app or extension is blocked, allowed, or automatically installed on devices. This overrides the ExtensionInstallForcelist policy.

In the ExtensionSettings policy, set the installation mode to:

  • allowed—Users can install apps and extensions from the Chrome Web Store. If no installation mode is defined, this is the default.
  • blocked—Users can’t install apps or extensions from the Chrome Web Store. You can define a custom error message that lets users know it’s blocked (details below).
  • force_installed—Automatically install extensions that you specify without user interaction. Users can’t disable or remove them. You also need to define the extension download location (details below).
  • normal_installed—Automatically install extensions that you specify without user interaction. Users can disable them. You also need to define the extension download location (details below).

Example Installation Code

Download an example configuration file here. You can edit it using a text editor. 

The example shows how to:

  • Automatically install Google Docs Offline (ghbmnnjooekpmoecnnnilnnbdlolhkhi) and Google Keep (lpcaedmchfhocbbapmcbpinfpgnhiddi) on user devices.
  • Allow users to disable Keep but not Docs Offline.
  • Allow users to install Google Calendar (gmbgaklkmjakoegficnlkhebmhkjfich) from the Chrome Web Store.
  • Prevent users from installing any other apps or extensions.

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