Installing browser extension in a restricted connectivity environment

[Prashant]

Hi All,

The RPA environment in our organization has very restricted internet connectivity. We whitelist URLs explicitly on need basis.

I have been trying to setup the Chrome and Edge Browser extensions to auto-install for any user and have tried offline installation using the CRX files. The GPOs were setup for forceinstall with the local file location specified as normal windows path as well as file URL like File:\\... but no luck either way. I do not have a http URL where I can post the crx file so did not try that option.

Does anyone have any experience with this kind of installation and can share any tips?

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Prashant
IMF
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[AshishEasow]

I recall that used to work in earlier versions, but later on chrome changed it and crx files were not available..
try if this works  - How to download Chrome extensions for installing on another computer? - Super User

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Ashish Easow
Senior Consultant - Professional Services
Blueprism
Asia/Kolkata
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[Prashant]

Thank you Ashish for taking time to respond to my question.

My issue is not about getting CRX files - I am able to retrieve CRX file from one the many CRX downloaders. I have verified the CRX by installing it manually. However the issue is that I need to distribute this to many virtual PCs which are re-provisioned / refreshed every month. As the Chrome extensions (& Edge) are setup on per user basis, i wanted to be able to do a silent / forced install of this extension. Further we are able to do so in a PC which has full connectivity to the internet using GPOs.

However my situation is that VPCs used for Blue prism do not have full internet connectivity so i need to "force" install from a CRX file which is available either on local file system or an accessible network folder .

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Prashant
IMF
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[AshishEasow]

so from what i understand, you are looking for steps for offline install.

Try this then - Chrome browser extension (blueprism.com)


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Ashish Easow
Senior Consultant - Professional Services
Blueprism
Asia/Kolkata
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[Prashant]

Hi Ashish,

The steps on Blue prism portal are for manual and explicit installation of the extension per user. What i need is "automatic" and "silent" install which I can setup through a GPO or some logon script?

While the preference is for offline install, I can request connectivity to specific domains if required . I tried the force install GPOs with the hosts "Chrome.google.com" & "clients2.google.com" whitelisted, but no luck. The force install GPO works fine, i.e., installs automatically and silently, if there are no connectivity restrictions which we cannot have in our RPA setup.

Another option - is to use Blue Prism itself to Automate offline install as outlined in the Blue Prism documentation - though not sure if it is possible.

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Prashant
IMF
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[Prashant]

Hi All,

Managed to resolve my situation by whitelisting specific hosts for the extensions. The authoritative list of hosts can be found here:

For Chrome: https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsupport.google.com%2Fchrome%2Fa%2Fanswer%2F6334001%23zippy%3D%252Chostname-allowlist-for-chrome-devices-using-chrome-extensions-and-ap...

For Edge:  https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/deployedge/microsoft-edge-security-endpoints#download-locations-for-microsoft-edge 

I also found a link for offline install using CRX files which it will not require any connectivity, but did not get around to trying this out. Please post your experience here if any one has used this successfully. The link : https://support.google.com/chrome/thread/38520585/extensions-force-install-non-chrome-web-store-from-crx-file-in-domain?hl=en 


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Prashant
IMF
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