Google Chrome is the most used browser in the world, not only because it is fast and simple to use, but because it allows you to install a large number of extensions from its official store. However, if we are looking for very advanced functions (and not available on the store), we can also install user scripts (in Javascript) which will significantly improve the usability of the browser when we visit some pages, adding functions that are normally not allowed (such as downloading a video or multimedia content). In this guide we see together how to install extensions and user scripts on Google Chrome and how to manage all the installed elements., both those downloaded from the Chrome Web Store and from external sites (which would not be possible).
READ ALSO: Guide Google Chrome on PC to use all its functions
Install extensions on Google Chrome from the Chrome Web Store
To prevent malicious extensions from damaging our browsing or ruining the computer, extensions for Google Chrome can be downloaded exclusively from the Chrome Web Store, by accessing the page with any version of the operating system (although it is recommended to always have the latest version of Google Chrome installed on your computer).
If we are looking for an extension in particular, simply use the search bar, located at the top left of the page, and type the name of the add-on that we intend to add to the browser. We don't know what to install ">
We can refine the search by choosing one of the categories offered, activate one of the recommended features ( Works offline, From Google, Free, Available for Android and Works with Google Drive ) or choose based on the number of votes left by users (the best extensions have 4 stars or more). After finding the desired extension, we click on its name to open the presentation page, where we can find some screenshots, an overview of the functions, user reviews, the support page and a series of related extensions. To install the extension, all we have to do is click on Add at the top right.
After a few seconds the extension will be installed on the browser, with the relative icon available at the top right (immediately next to the address bar). All extension icons are shown in this part of the window: if we no longer see an icon, it is probably hidden in the main menu (the three dots); just open the aforementioned menu to also view the hidden icons (we can always move them to make them visible again in the bar).
If we want to access the options of an extension or uninstall the one we no longer use, just right-click on the icon and select the Options or Remove from Chrome items, as needed. To manage extensions in a single window, we can also call up the specific Chrome screen, which can be obtained by typing in the address bar chrome: // extensions .
From here we can disable, uninstall or manage all active extensions on the browser. We remind you that the extensions are also synchronized with the Google account; in order to carry your favorite extensions, we will therefore have to log in to the Google account on Chrome . To know the best extensions to try on Google Chrome, we can read our guides to the Best Chrome Extensions for all uses .
Note : these extensions are only available for the desktop version of Google Chrome; the mobile version does not currently support any type of extension. There is however a way to install Chrome extensions on Android as seen in another article.
Install Chrome extensions that are not on the Chrome Web Store
Extensions that are included in the catalog of the Chrome Web Store must be subject to some rules. If Google detects a violation of these rules, then the extension is removed from the store. Only in these cases, therefore, it may be necessary to download the Chrome extension from another site .The only problem is that Chrome, for security reasons, blocks the automatic installation of extensions from sites that are not the official store, and it is not possible to simply click on it to install it as it does with certified extensions. So let's see how to install extensions that are not in the Chrome web Store (it's still very simple).
First of all, extensions that are not on the Chrome Store can be downloaded from other sites as .zip files (if they have a different extension they could be viruses). Once the zip file is downloaded, you can right-click on it to extract the archive to a folder that we could place on the desktop.
In Google Chrome, open the extensions page from the options menu or by opening a new tab at chrome: // extensions and activate the developer mode from the switch at the top right. Now all you have to do is move the folder of the extension that we put on the desktop by dragging it with the mouse on the page of extensions in Chrome, to be able to install it .
Just pay attention to extensions downloaded from sites that are not the Chrome Web Store, because there is no control and you never know that you do not bring malicious or dangerous software to your computer or that it can spy on browsing and all data on Chrome. After installation, click on the details to see the permissions that this new extension takes to check if it is really spy software or if it is good.
Install scripts on Google Chrome
In addition to the extensions, we can install convenient user scripts on Google Chrome (usually written in Javascript), which allow you to integrate functions and automate some processes, without the disadvantage of having to leave many extensions active (which still consume CPU and RAM memory) .To manage userscripts, to enable them, disable them or configure their customization options and functions, we install the Tampermonkey extension on our Google Chrome browser.
By enabling this extension we will be able to download and add the scripts we need to improve navigation. To search for new scripts, click on the extension icon and select the Find new scripts item and search one of the most famous sites for sharing codes, such as OpenUserJS and GreasyFork . We can also use the search bar below, to speed up the search for a new script. Once you find what we need, simply click the Install button on the script page and then click Install to add it to Tampermonkey. The script will be immediately active on all pages or only on the "target" page, depending on how it was created.
We can manage all the active scripts, modify or deactivate them by opening the options of the extension and going to the Installed scripts tab.
Note : we always pay attention when adding scripts! Some of them may modify the pages to the point of obtaining the login data or other personal information, which may compromise the safety and privacy of navigation.
The best scripts to use on the browser can be found in our guide to the Best GreaseMonkey scripts on Firefox and Chrome .
Conclusions
With Google Chrome on PC we can get new features both by using the extensions available in the store integrated in the browser and accessing much more advanced (and often unapproved) features using a script engine like the one offered by Tampermonkey, where the only limit is fantasy (since we can load hundreds of scripts without making the system too heavy).Among the best extensions that we can install immediately on the browser, we recommend those collected in the guide to the 30 most useful Google Chrome extensions to add to the browser .
If, on the other hand, we are looking for the best extensions to increase security while browsing, we advise you to deepen with the guide to the 10 Internet security extensions for Chrome .
