Where Does Google Chrome Install Itself?
The first thing we thought about doing, while we were trying to run Java applets in Google Chrome was to drop the Safaris Java plugin into Google Chrome folder.
The problem we saw was that Google Chrome does not install itself into the default application directory “Program Files”, so we checked the properties of the exe file and found the location to be in the default user folder.
Where Does Google Chrome Install Itself?
In Windows XP Google Chrome will be installed in C:\Documents and Settings\UserName\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\ directory. In Windows Vista Google Chrome will be installed in C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\ directory.
Replace C: with the drive windows is installed in and UserName with the windows users you installed chrome with. We are not sure why they install in the Local App Data folder, and they do not provide any way to change the settings, while you are installing the software. You can easily uninstall Google Chrome through the control panel.
Goran Web
September 3rd, 2008 at 7:28 am #
I also noticed the same thing this morning. And how you’re not given any options in the installation process. But I love how fast it is though and the simple design. So far I’m impressed.
Owen Davies
September 3rd, 2008 at 9:20 am #
I can think of a couple of good reasons:
1) The browser is personal.
When there are several users on a machine, each user gets their OWN browser. Since so much is done based on tracking my most visited pages, my searches etc., I don’t really want any of that to spill over to other users. Now, just storing bookmarks and preferences in personal directories is usually sufficient but this makes sure I can change any sort of global or persistent browser behaviors without changing the experience of any other user.
2) No administrator privileges required to install.
This is huge. This means most office workers who normally live in locked-down, fixed-toolset environments can finally break free of the IT mandate and use an alternate browser. In fact, I’m typing this as we speak using Google Chrome freshly installed (to my profile) on a machine I cannot change anything about. No writing to Program Files and no entries in the registry means I’m not blocked by most current lockdown measures.
Keith Dsouza
September 3rd, 2008 at 12:58 pm #
@Owen Thanks for the insight. I must agree with you that the browser is personal and each user gets its own browser, along with the fact that you can install it without administrative privileges because you are doing it for your own user.
Sajen Rochare
September 11th, 2008 at 3:01 pm #
At home people should do what they want, but in an office environment they should abide by the IT mandates. Let’s not lose sight of the fact that those mandates are in place for a reason by the people/organization that actually own the equipment and understand the needs of the company. We have certain internal training sites that have been fine tuned to IE only. Other browsers do not work and end up wasting employees time as they are not credited for the work they do on other than IE. Once the other browsers are tested and allowed, it wouldn’t be a problem.
StickyChrome
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:13 pm #
Some people might find it necessary to “Show Hidden Folders” to be able to find their Google installation, if not already enabled.
A user asked this very question at http://www.stickychrome.com. I replied and included images of what settings need changing and where the directory can be found.