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Google Chrome Extension Management (Windows)

Description

Chrome Extensions, like ClassSpaces, can be managed via FileWave on multiple device types.

If the Chrome browser is already managed using Google Admin Console, then all management may be applied to devices via the Google Admin Console.  It is though possible to apply the management of Chrome to macOS and Windows devices via FileWave also.

Ingredients

  • Chrome installation
  • Provided downloads

↓ Windows

Windows

The provided download is a basic example of a PowerShell Activation Script within a Fileset to apply ClassSpaces and block the user from other extensions.  Drag and drop the Fileset into the Admin Console, associate to test devices and deploy once tested.

The script will create the necessary registry settings.

Contents of Script:

if ( -Not (Test-Path -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome\ExtensionSettings\*") ) {
 
    New-Item -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome\ExtensionSettings\" -Name "*" -Force
    New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome\ExtensionSettings\*\' -Name "installation_mode" -Value "blocked"
 
    New-Item -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome\ExtensionSettings\" -Name "obeophmpnnhboefjagnpbllfbbaeodnn" -Force
    New-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome\ExtensionSettings\obeophmpnnhboefjagnpbllfbbaeodnn\" -Name "comment" -Value "ClassSpaces"
    New-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome\ExtensionSettings\obeophmpnnhboefjagnpbllfbbaeodnn\" -Name "installation_mode" -Value "force_installed"
    New-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome\ExtensionSettings\obeophmpnnhboefjagnpbllfbbaeodnn\" -Name "update_url" -Value "https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx"
     
}

If there is already other extension management in place, the 'if' block may bypass the installation of the Extensions.  If Extensions are already being managed, alter the conditions of the script appropriately.

Notes

As part of the example, an additional key has been added to block all other extensions.  Remove or edit as desired

If Chrome is already open, the settings will not be applied until after the browser has been restarted