So we all know that to enable extensions (currently) you have to edit the command line in the shortcut for Chrome. That works fine and dandy if you use the desktop shortcut to launch Chrome. Well what happens if you use the Start Menu or if you are opening links from chat? Well I have the solution for you!

**In these examples, <user> is the name of your user account.
**If you are unfamiliar with making registry changes then this information is probably not for you. Changes are made at your own risk.

Originally Posted by StevePaul

Note:

When Chrome updates these 2 registry keys are set back to their original values (ie No --enable-extensions)...

To make the default Chrome start menu program enable extensions by default, navigate to the following registry key. Keep in mind this only works for the default browser icon that appears at the top of your start menu (there by default on systems).

Win7/Vista/XP
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet\Google Chrome\shell\open\command

The "Default" key should read:

Win7/Vista
"C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe"

XP
"C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe"

Simply add "--enable-extensions" without the quotes to the end and close out regedit.

Now it should read:

Win7/Vista
"C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --enable-extensions

XP
"C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --enable-extensions

You do not have to log out or reboot as the changes will be made instantly. Now your Chrome Start Menu shortcut will have extensions enabled. I realize that you could also have removed the shortcut from the start menu and dragged your desktop shortcut to it, but this is the proper way to make the change.

Now more importantly, if you are tired of extensions not being enabled with you open links from e-mail clients or chat boxes then here is your fix! First open up regedit and navigate to the following key:

Win7/Vista
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ChromeHTML\shell\open\command

XP
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\http\shell\open\command
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\https\shell\open\command
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ftp\shell\open\command

The keys should read the following (depending on your OS):

Win7/Vista
"C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" -- "%1"

XP
"C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" -- "%1"

Change them to read as follows:

Win7/Vista
"C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --enable-extensions -- "%1"

XP
"C:\Documents and Settings\ <user> \Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --enable-extensions -- "%1"

Again, you do not need to logout or reboot as the changes are instant. Now when you open links from chat they will open Chrome with extensions enabled.

You can also enable user scripts by default (or even both) by adding "--enable-user-scripts" to the above examples. So if you wanted to utilize both you would add "--enable-extensions --enable-user-scripts" to the appropriate registry keys.

StevePaul has posted some useful information on how to enable extensions/user scripts if you use Chrome Application shortcuts.

Originally Posted by StevePaul

If by any chance you use a Chrome Application shortcut (I'm not sure how many people actually do) what you'll find is that Chrome treats it as another Tab to your already open session.

What this means is that if you use extensions and/or user scripts they will be available to this Application (eg AdSweep, YouTube Downloader, FlashBlock) ...

What do you do if you haven't already got a Chrome session open ?

Quite simple really, like your normal Chrome shortcut just enable Extensions and User Scripts (and you all know how to do that don't you ?)...

Enjoy ;-)

Special thanks to Neillithan for pointing out that XP behaved differently in this regard. I still haven't figure out why, because if I nagivate to the http key on my Win7 box the command path actually still points to IE (as does my Vista computer).

I have tested this as much as I can, using VM to test out the XP changes. If you notice any problems with these changes please let me know.

Again, I take no responsibility for any problems due to these changes. You modify your registry at your own risk.