Apparently, the "Configure the list of force-installed extensions" ADM policy simply does not work at all.
So, I ended up having to use the registry method.
NOTE: If using the registry method, the extension is automatically disabled in version 25 of Chrome. Also note that for Chrome 25 and up, the ADM policy now works.
- Find the extension ID of your desired extension. This is the unique ID of the extension in the Chrome webstore. You can see this ID in the
URL of the extension ie:
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/gighmmpiobklfepjocnamgkkbiglidom
or, Open the extensions list in Chrome; tick the Developer Mode tick
box and then click the arrow next to the extension you want to deploy
- the extension ID will be underneath the extension's heading.
At this point, it is worth making note of the extension's version
number too, as you will need this later on in the deployment.
- Open a browser other than chrome - Firefox will work fine. Paste the following line into the address bar, replacing the ----- with the
extension ID
https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx?response=redirect&x=id%3D-----%26uc
Press enter to access this URL; you will be prompted to save the .crx
file.
Copy this .crx file to your deployment shared folder eg
\Server\SoftwareDeployment\ChromeExtensions\.crx
Source: http://bdts.com.au/tips/48-msi-packaging/156-deploy-google-chrome.html
Next, add the registry keys in computer configuration\preferences\windows settings\registry
:
Create the following registry key values:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Google\Chrome\Extensions\[id of your extension crx]\path
TYPE: REG_SZ
VALUE: "\\server\NETLOGON\path\to\your\extension.crx"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Google\Chrome\Extensions\[id of your extension crx]\version
TYPE: REG_SZ
VALUE: [version of your .crx as specified in the manifest]
Source: http://support.google.com/a/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=188453