Do you want to know how to find Chrome extension files on your Windows PC, so that you can explore the previous version of the extension which is now discontinued?
If yes, then this article is for you, where you will get accurate step-by-step instructions for the same.
So, what are you waiting for?
Just hop into the discussion.
How to find chrome extension files?
Chrome is one of the most used web browser that people use for their day-to-day internet queries. Plus the add-ons or say the extensions that Chrome provides on its Chrome store are really helpful for increased productivity.
However, sometimes users are forced to use an alternate version of their favorite extensions because the former was discontinued by Google.
Now, to retrieve those previous versions of your favorite extensions you can try these two easy solutions.
- Finding Chrome extension files using file explorer.
- Finding Chrome extension files using Chrome extension source viewer.
Finding Chrome extension files using file explorer (Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chromebook):
The file explorer tool on Windows, as well as on Mac, Linux, and Chromebook is a blessing to its users as it makes the file-finding job really easy for the user. All that a user needs to know is the exact location of the file and that’s it. He/she will be browsing that file in no time.
So, we will first use the file explorer on Windows to find our chrome extension files.
Finding Chrome extension files on Windows:
- Open File Explorer on your Windows PC.
- Then, just follow this path:
This PC/ C:/ Users/ User Profile/ AppData/ Local/ Google/ Chrome/ User Data/ Default/ Extensions.
And that’s it, you will now get a list of extension files that are presented with their random 32-character ID.
So, in order to access the correct extension file, you need to know the correct file ID of your extension.
For instance, as shown below, we clicked on “kbfnbcaeplbcioakkpcpgfkobkghlhen” to access the Grammarly extension file.
Want to know the correct Chrome extension file ID?
Follow the next short tutorial.
- Open the Chrome browser.
- Then, access the three-dotted vertical menu > More Tools > Extensions.
- A list of installed extensions will appear.
- Now, navigate to the appropriate extension and click on “Details.”
- Lastly, just look into the address bar and follow the string after “Id=“, and that’s it.
Now, just remember the extension ID and search for it in the file explorer.
Upon opening the file you will get all the important files to the corresponding chrome extension like; images, Html script, javascript, etc.
You can always prepare a backup for your future installation or reference by zipping the folder using Winrar or another file archiver utility.
Now, if you are using Mac, Linux, or Chromebook, then all you need to do is jump to the next section.
Finding Chrome extension files on Mac OS:
Open Finder on your Macbook and then follow this path to find Chrome extension files installed on your Chrome browser.
When installed on the user level:
“~/Users//Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/Default/Extensions“
When installed on the root level:
“~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/Default/Extensions“
Finding Chrome extension files on Linux:
Chrome extensions on Linux are kept in the filesystem, especially in the extension folder which is located inside the Chrome directory as shown below;
“~/.config/google-chrome/Default/Extensions/“
Although, on Kali Linux, the extensions are located in;
“~/.config/chromium/Default/Extensions“
Finding Chrome extension files on Chromebook:
The chrome extension files on Chromebook are located at this location;
“~/.config/chromium/Default/Extensions“
Finding Chrome extension files using Chrome extension source viewer.
Another way to find Chrome extension files is by using Chrome’s own extension “Chrome extension source viewer” available on the Chrome Web Store. It allows a user to view the source code of any extension.
To get started all you need to do is;
- Open the Chrome menu.
- Then, head towards the More Tools section, followed by Extensions.
- Now, click on the Hamburger menu followed by the “Open Chrome Web Store” option.
- Then, type in “Chrome extension source viewer” inside the search bar and initiate the search.
- Lastly, grant the required permissions and install the extension on your Chrome browser.
Now, to find the source code of a particular chrome extension, all you need to do is;
- Search for your extension on the “Chrome Web Store”
- After that, right-click on the page followed by the “View Extension Source” option.
- Lastly, select the “manifest.json” option and click on “Download.”
Your Chrome extension file will be downloaded in the form of a zip file inside the downloads folder.
Now, all you need to do is unzip it through a file extractor tool like Winrar to view it.
Note: You can also type “chrome//version” inside the address bar of your Chrome browser and press enter to get the accurate path of the Google Chrome extension files.
Conclusion:
Chrome extensions are truly powerful resources when it comes to enhancing the productivity of your Google Chrome browser.
However, if you feel like you want to restore the previous version of a Chrome extension to your Chrome browser, then all you need to do is access the File Manager manager on your PC or install the Chrome extension source viewer and then follow the steps that are mentioned above.
