How To Open Crx File
Google has, over the years, increased its restrictions for installing third-party Chrome extensions to help protect Chrome users from malicious code. A few years ago, you could simply install an extension from a developer's site without any hassle. Last year, you needed only to enable Developer mode before installing a CRX (Chrome extension) file. Now, according to Google, 'to protect you while you browse, Chrome only lets you use extensions that have been published on the Chrome Web Store.'
If you are willing to assume the risk, there is a side door that Google left ajar for developers to test out their extensions, which you can use to install extensions that aren't listed in the Chrome Web Store. And here's the part where I say again that installing unverified extensions from unknown sources is risky and could expose your computer to malicious code. Proceed at your own risk.
Double click the crx file to open it. The file will open automatically if file associations have been correctly installed and there is a proper program on your computer; if not, file associations may be corrupted and your OS either cannot find the proper program, or you might not have one for opening the file.
Still with me? OK, here are the steps needed to install an extension from somewhere other than the Chrome Web Store.
1. Download the CRX file to your computer for the Chrome extension you want to install.
2. Go to chrome://extensions/ and check the box for Developer mode in the top right.
3. Use a CRX Extractor app -- I used CRX Extractor -- to unpack the CRX file and turn it into a ZIP file.
4. Locate the ZIP file on your computer and unzip it.
5. Go back to the chrome://extensions/ page and click the Load unpacked extension button and select the unzipped folder for your extension to install it.
For more, learn how to mute browser tabs and why Google won't build an ad-blocker into Chrome.
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A file with the CRX file extension is a Chrome Extension file used to extend the functionality of the Google Chrome web browser through little programs that add additional features to the default browsing experience.
Most CRX files are downloaded through the Chrome Web Store, but since you can make your own Chrome extensions and install them offline, others may originate elsewhere or be loaded locally.
Some CRX files might instead be Links Games Course files or program files used by Autodesk's DWG TrueView program.
How to Open a CRX File
CRX files that are extension files are used by the Google Chrome web browser. Usually, CRX files are downloaded through Google's website and, therefore, installed to Chrome automatically and stored here by default:
However, this won't be the case for CRX files that you download outside of the Chrome Web Store.
You can install third-party, unofficial CRX files by accessing the chrome://extensions/ address in the URL bar in Chrome and enabling the Developer mode option at the top. Then, just drag and drop the CRX file into the Extensions window and confirm any prompts.
Learn how to add Chrome extensions to your browser if you need more help.
The Opera web browser can use CRX files, too, with the extension called Install Chrome Extension. The Vivaldi browser natively supports CRX based extensions as well.
Since a CRX file is actually just a renamed ZIP file, any archive/compression program, like PeaZip or 7-Zip (both free), should be able to open the file for expansion. However, doing this will only let you see the data that makes up the extension, not actually run the program.
Autodesk DWG TrueView uses CRX files, too, but the purpose for these files is unclear. The program most likely can not open CRX files, so they're probably just used by certain components of the software automatically and aren't intended to be opened manually.
If you find that an application on your PC does try to open the CRX file but it's the wrong application or if you would rather have another installed program open CRX files, see our How to Change File Associations in Windows guide for making that change in Windows.
How to Convert a CRX File
XPI (Firefox), EXE (Internet Explorer), and SAFARIEXTZ (Safari) files are similar to CRX files in that they're extension files used in those respective browsers. These formats, however, no matter their same intent (to extend functionality), can't be easily converted to or from each other's different formats.
However, one exception is that Chrome's CRX files can be installed in the Opera browser with the Download Chrome Extension mentioned earlier. This means you can install CRX files from the Chrome Web Store from right within the Opera browser.
You can also convert Opera extensions to Chrome extensions by renaming Opera's .NEX file to Chrome's .CRX file. This new CRX file must be installed to Chrome manually using the drag and drop technique explained above.
How To Open Crx File Of Idm
Keep in mind that CRX files are really just ZIP files, so you can actually rename the file to a .ZIP file to open it with a file zip/unzip program.
If you're looking to convert your CRX file to EXE for some kind of automatic install, your best bet is to try compiling it with an installer like Inno Setup.
Still Can't Open the File?
Be careful to read the file extension correctly. Some file formats append a suffix to the end of the file that looks a lot like it reads '.CRX' when it's really a letter or two off.
How To Download Crx File
For example, CRX files are spelled very much like CXR files but are not the same format. CXR files are FMAT Plate Results files used with the FMAT 8100 HTS System. Another example can be seen with CXX files that are C++ Source Code files used with Microsoft Visual Studio.
The point here is to check the file extension and then research accordingly, looking for any information you can on the format the file is in, which will help you find the right program that can open it.