How can I copy a Google Chrome installation from one user to another (or all) user/s

I downloaded and installed Google Chrome on a local user on Windows XP.

I now know that Chrome needs to be installed for each user (unless you install using a pack). Unfortunately it is installed under a user I cant use at the office.

Add to that the fact that the downloading of exe files is blocked at the office. Is there a way to 'copy' or 'move' the installation of Chrome from one user to another?

EDIT: for clarity... I have Chrome installed under a local (this machine) user. I can't use that user in the office as I need to be connected to the domain. I would like to move (or copy) the installation to another user.

Ron Tuffin

Posted 2009-08-11T13:39:41.083

Reputation: 2 390

Ok you want a portable version of Chrome – Ivo Flipse – 2009-08-11T15:17:29.043

the installation (so you can run the browser as the other user) or the profile (so the other user gets all the same settings, bookmarks, etc)? – quack quixote – 2009-10-07T18:02:07.120

Answers

reinstall chrome using the option "install for all users" (not each user). You will have to use the google installer/updater to do this however, as the chrome install doesn't allow this choice.

edit> I have to do this for all of the machines on the network here, because normal user accounts aren't permitted to install software, only the admin accounts are: and originally I couldn't figure out why, when installed by the admin, it wasn't able to be used by the users.

Steven Evers

Posted 2009-08-11T13:39:41.083

Reputation: 659

To sync it to several computers just copy the entire User Data folder and paste it on the same location across the computers.

Make a copy of the User Data\Default directory (for example, copy it to 'Default Backup' in the same location). The location depends on your operating system:

Windows XP: \Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default
Windows Vista: \Users\username\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default

Then get a portable version of Chrome where you copy your Home version into.

You can use that version at your work without having to install anything

Ivo Flipse

Posted 2009-08-11T13:39:41.083

Reputation: 24 054

I'v tried this. When I run the chrome.exe nothing happens. By nothing I mean nothing, no hourglass, no process on the task manager, nothing. – Ron Tuffin – 2009-08-11T14:04:22.340

Do you have Chrome installed for each user? – Ivo Flipse – 2009-08-11T14:41:10.970

No. Perhaps I was not clear enough in the question. I have Chrome installed under a local (this machine) user. I can't use that user in the office as I need to be connected to the domain. I would like to move (or copy) the installation to another user. – Ron Tuffin – 2009-08-11T15:01:06.487

Ron, if you want to make your question clearer, just edit it. People are more likely to see your clarification in the question itself than down in the comments of a particular answer. – quark – 2009-08-11T15:02:54.640