How To Create Crx File

Download and save Chrome Extension as CRX file

Sometimes you may want to download a Chrome extension to your computer so that you can install it even if it is not available in the Chrome store, or download Chrome extensions for installing on another computer without internet access. No matter what the reason is, if you ever want to download and save a Chrome extension as a CRX file, you can follow below steps.

1. Download Chrome extension as CRX with a downloader

There are different downloaders you can choose from. For example, you can install a CRX extractor or downloader extension on your Chrome browser, then use this extension to download other Chrome extension crx files from Google Chrome extension store. An easier way is to use an online downloading service, such as https://crxextractor.com/. Go to Chrome Web Store to find the extension you want to save, copy the link from the address bar of your browser. Then access the CRX extractor website above, click Start for Free button, the Download .CRX file screen opens, paste the copied link to the box and click Download button below. The Get CRX button appears below the URL input box, click this new appeared button. The download will start. If you see the warning at bottom of your Chrome browser saying: Extensions, apps, and themes can harm your computer, and if you are sure to continue, click Continue button, the download will start instantly. After that you can find the .CRX file in the Downloads folder on your Windows computer.

2. Pack the Extension after installing with Chrome

In the upper half of this article, we used an online service to download Chrome extension from Chrome Web store without installing it. If the browser extension has already been installed on your Chrome browser, you can make use of the built-in pack extension tool under the Developer mode.

Click the Chrome menu icon at the top right corner, you will see a drop-down menu. Select Extensions from the More Tools sub-menu. Click the "Developer mode" checkbox in the top right-hand corner to turn on Developer mode in Chrome.

You can then find the Pack extension button above all your extensions. Click on this button to open it in a pop-up dialog. Specify the path to the extension's folder in the Extension root directory field.

By default, Chrome extensions are saved in this directory:

C:\Users\User_Name\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions.

Then click the PACK EXTENSION button. Ignore the Private key field for a first-time package. Chrome will create two files, a .crx file and a .pem file, which contains the extension's private key. The locations to both the extension and key file will be displayed. Do not lose the private key. You need it to update the extension.