How to Silently Install Google Chrome Using MSI on Windows? Read it later

Are you tired of manually installing Google Chrome on multiple computers? Well, we have a solution for you! In this blog post, we will walk you through the process of silently installing Google Chrome using the MSI installer (Microsoft Installer) on Windows 10 and 11. By the end of this guide, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to effortlessly deploy Google Chrome across your network. So, let’s dive in and discover how to simplify the installation process.

What is Silent Installation?

Silent installation, also known as unattended installation, refers to the process of installing software without any user intervention or prompts. It allows for a seamless and hassle-free installation experience, particularly useful when deploying applications on multiple computers simultaneously.

During a silent installation, the software is installed quietly in the background, without displaying any installation wizard or requesting user interaction. This makes it ideal for system administrators or IT professionals who need to deploy software across a network or organization efficiently.

Advantages of Silent Installation

Silent installation, or unattended installation, brings a host of benefits that streamline software deployment. Here’s a concise look at why silent installation is advantageous:

1. Time and Effort Savings: Automate the installation process, eliminating manual intervention and saving valuable time and effort.
2. Consistency and Standardization: Maintain a uniform software environment by deploying predefined settings and configurations across your network.
3. User-Friendly Experience: Minimize interruptions and prompts, providing a seamless installation process for users, enhancing productivity.
4. Customization and Control: Tailor the installation to your organization’s needs by specifying parameters such as location, language, and components.
5. Scalability and Efficiency: Easily deploy software on a large scale, saving time and ensuring a streamlined installation process.

What are MSI Installers?

Before we jump into the installation process, let’s understand what an MSI installer is and why it’s beneficial for deploying software.

MSI installers, or Microsoft Installers, are a technology designed to simplify the process of installing, updating, and removing software on Windows operating systems. They provide a standardized approach to software deployment, making it easier for system administrators and users alike.

Download Google Chrome MSI installer

To get started with downloading the Google Chrome MSI installer, follow these simple steps:

Start by clicking on the download button below and you’ll be redirected to Google Chrome Enterprise Download section instantly.

1. Open Google Chrome Enterprise Download section and Choose Windows Tab
2. Select the Desired Options: Now that you’re in the Windows tab, you’ll see several options to choose from in order to download the correct MSI installer for your system. Let’s go through these options one by one:
   • Choose the Channel: You’ll come across options like Stable and Beta. It’s recommended to select the Stable version as it ensures a more reliable and tested version of Google Chrome.
   • Choose the File Type: You’ll find options like Bundle and MSI. For the purpose of downloading the installer, select MSI as your desired file type.
   • Choose the System Architecture: Here, you need to determine whether your system is 32-bit or 64-bit. Select the appropriate option based on your system architecture.
3. Begin the Download: Once you have made all the necessary selections, look for the download button provided on the page. Click on it to initiate the download process of the Google Chrome MSI installer.

And that’s it! You’ve successfully completed the steps to download the Google Chrome MSI installer. Now you’re ready to move on to the next section, where we’ll guide you through the silent installation process. So, let’s continue with our journey of seamlessly installing Google Chrome using the MSI installer.

Steps to Install Google Chrome Using MSI Installer on Windows

If you’re looking to install Google Chrome on Windows using the MSI installer, you’re in luck! There are two ways to install Google Chrome Using MSI installer: CMD (Command Prompt) and Powershell. Let’s explore both options:

Install Google Chrome MSI Using CMD

1. Start by locating the directory where you’ve downloaded the Google Chrome MSI installer file.
2. Open Command Prompt (CMD) as an administrator.
3. Change the directory to where the installer file is located.
4. Now, depending on your system architecture, run the appropriate command:
   • For 32-bit systems: MsiExec.exe /i googlechromestandaloneenterprise.msi /qn
   • For 64-bit systems: MsiExec.exe /i googlechromestandaloneenterprise64.msi /qn

Explanation:

• MsiExec.exe is a command-line tool used to manipulate MSI installers.
• /i parameter indicates that we want to install the specified MSI file.
• /qn is a command-line switch that ensures a silent installation without any prompts or user intervention.

Install Google Chrome MSI Using Powershell

If you prefer using Powershell, you can also install Google Chrome using the MSI installer. Follow these steps:

1. Open Powershell as an administrator.
   • You can search for Powershell in the Start menu and open it by right-clicking and selecting “Run as administrator.”
2. Install Google Chrome by entering the code below and pressing Enter:

$LocalTempDir = $env:TEMP
$ChromeInstaller = "ChromeInstaller.exe"
(new-object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadFile('http://dl.google.com/chrome/install/375.126/chrome_installer.exe', "$LocalTempDir\$ChromeInstaller")
& "$LocalTempDir\$ChromeInstaller" /silent /install
$Process2Monitor = "ChromeInstaller"
Do {
    $ProcessesFound = Get-Process | ?{$Process2Monitor -contains $_.Name} | Select-Object -ExpandProperty Name
    If ($ProcessesFound) {
        "Still running: $($ProcessesFound -join ', ')" | Write-Host
        Start-Sleep -Seconds 2
    }
    else {
        rm "$LocalTempDir\$ChromeInstaller" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue -Verbose
    }
} Until (!$ProcessesFound)

With this code, Google Chrome will be installed on your computer silently.

Creating Log Files During Installation

To stay prepared and troubleshoot any issues that may arise during the silent installation, you can create log files. Follow these commands to generate logs:

For 32-bit systems:

MsiExec.exe /i googlechromestandaloneenterprise.msi /qn /L*V "C:\GoogleChromeTest"

For 64-bit systems:

MsiExec.exe /i googlechromestandaloneenterprise64.msi /qn /L*V "C:\GoogleChromeTest"

Explanation:

• /L*V is a command-line switch used to create logs.
• "C:\GoogleChromeTest" is the path where the log file will be saved.

Uninstall Google Chrome Using MSI

If you want to uninstall Google Chrome silently, follow these steps:

1. Run Command Prompt (CMD) as an administrator.
2. Enter one of the following command lines, depending on your system architecture:

For 32-bit systems:

MsiExec.exe /x {C39635A0-C589-34FC-9CC9-590E0516DBC1} /qn

For 64-bit systems:

MsiExec.exe /x {B01A8859-9D45-3472-AD5D-0FB367564035} /qn

After entering the command, Google Chrome will be uninstalled silently.

Disabling Google Chrome Auto-update

If you prefer to disable the auto-update feature in Google Chrome, follow these steps after the silent installation:

Step 1: Open CMD as an administrator.

Step 2: Enter each of the following command lines one by one:

REG ADD "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Update" /v UpdateDefault /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

REG ADD "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Update" /v DisableAutoUpdateChecksCheckboxValue /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

REG ADD "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Update" /v AutoUpdateCheckPeriodMinutes /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

REG ADD "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Google\Update" /v UpdateDefault /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

REG ADD "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Google\Update" /v DisableAutoUpdateChecksCheckboxValue /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

REG ADD "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Google\Update" /v AutoUpdateCheckPeriodMinutes /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

These commands will modify specific registry values to disable auto-updates for Google Chrome.

Command flags explanation:

1. /v UpdateDefault: This flag specifies the registry value name that we want to modify. In this case, it’s the UpdateDefault value under the HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Update or HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Google\Update key.
2. /t REG_DWORD: This flag indicates the data type of the registry value. In our case, it’s a REG_DWORD (32-bit integer) value.
3. /d 0: This flag will set the data for the registry value. Here, it sets the value to 0, indicating the desired configuration.
4. /f: This flag will force the command to be executed without any prompts or user confirmation.

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, installing Google Chrome using the MSI installer on Windows offers a convenient and efficient method for deploying the browser. By following the steps outlined in this guide, whether using CMD or Powershell, you can perform a silent installation effortlessly. Creating log files helps troubleshoot any potential issues, and uninstalling Google Chrome silently is also possible using the MSI installer. Additionally, you have the option to disable the auto-update feature, giving you control over the update process. Enjoy a seamless browsing experience with Google Chrome on your Windows system!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Reference

• Google Chrome Enterprise Download – https://chromeenterprise.google/browser/download/#windows-tab
• MSI Introduction – https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/msi/windows-installer-portal