Chrome is the browser developed by Google for several platforms, which include computers, mobile phones, and other devices. On the PC, this browser was very successful because it was light in its first versions and the number of extensions to leave it with new functions to make everyday life easier.
Despite this utility, some extensions in the Google Chrome store may not be secure and may pose risks to browser users. To work around this problem, if you do not use add-ons or split your computer with one other person, a security measure is to block the installation of these extensions. Here’s how this process is done.
Important
Natively, Google has not implemented any function in Chrome to block the installation of new extensions. In addition, the method shown below should not remove most functionality from extensions that are already installed on the browser, however, they may not be updated or made any changes to the system.
How to block the installation of new extensions
To perform this task you will need to change the permissions of a Windows folder, which is where the extensions are stored. In addition, if you have more than one user on the system, you must do this setting individually for each user. Check out:
- Press the “Win + R” keys to open the execute window and enter this folder: C: \ Users \% username% \ AppData \ Local \ Google \ Chrome \ User Data \ Default;
- Right-click the “Extensions” folder and go to “Properties”;
- In the window that opens, click on the “Security” tab;
- Under “Group or user names,” check “SYSTEM” and click “Edit”;
- Again, check “SYSTEM” under “Group or user names” and, in the field below, check the option to “Deny” next to “Save”;
- Click “Apply> Ok” until you close all the windows that have been opened;
- Restart the computer.
From now on, you can even check out the Chrome Web Store, but when you try to install an extension there you’ll get an error message. If you want to be able to re-install new extensions, you will have to repeat this process described above by granting the write permission on this folder.
Ready! Now you know how to make Chrome more secure by preventing the installation of extensions.