CC4: Setting the homepage of Google Chrome

[TomHD]

Hello All,

 

I have installed Google Chrome using the Chrome Standalone Installer via the RM Application Wizard / PackageBuilder. The package installs fine, the shortcut appears in the start menu but upon opening, the user is presented with the "Sign into Chrome" page.

 

 

What I would like to know is how can I set the homepage to be index for all users?

 

 

Many thanks, TomHD

[Edu-IT]

You'll want to add the Chrome policies.

 

https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/187202?hl=en

[Michael]

You can download the Chrome templates here

 

In a vanilla environment, you just need the chrome.admx file along with the English language folder. It's unclear however, whether or not an RM system will support PolicyDefinitions (sort of Policy Template re-direction), which allows you to install the latest Windows 8.1 templates, along with Office 2010 and Office 2013 etc...

 

Normally it'd be located within:

 

\\%domain-name%\SYSVOL\%domain-name%\Policies\PolicyDefinitions

[foofighterjim]

Here is a basic write-up of what I did. The adm would not import into the RMMC properly for me but I know it makes a mess even when it does:

 

Downloaded msi from above URL and ADM templates from https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/187202?hl=en.

 

MSI was imported directly into the RMMC. Shortcuts can’t be removed from the MSI, Chrome creates shortcuts per user on first run. Chrome checks for the contents of the master_preferences file in C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\ for this condition. Additional package Google Chrome Settings replaces this file to remove shortcuts using “do_not_create_any_shortcuts”:true as outlined in post #32 on the following webpage: Issue 174465 - chromium - Shortcuts can't be disabled in Enterprise MSI - An open-source project to help move the web forward. - Google Project Hosting

 

The adm templates do not import well into the RMMC so it is best to manage it directly in AD. On the FRDC the chrome.adm file was copied to C:\Windows\PolicyDefinitions\ and the .adml files were copied to their respective sub folders. From the Group Policy Management snap in I expanded; Forest: > Domains> and clicked Establishments. This brought up a list of GPOs in the right hand side. As in the RMMC the template needs to be applied to a group, in the RMMC we see them as Staff, Standard etc. under User Registry policies. In Group Policy Management they are listed as Staff User Type and Standard User Type. As part of the install I had created a Chrome Test User Type to work on the settings.

 

I selected the initial User Type and expanded; User Configuration> Policies> and right clicked Administrative Templates. From here I clicked Add \ Remove templates and added the chrome.adm file from before. Under Administrative templates there was now a Google folder and beneath this was Google Chrome it is here and the sub folders that all policies were changed.

Edited January 15, 2015 by foofighterjim

[Michael]

It is kind of surprising in a way why RM themselves have made no provision or official update for this. Chrome is a well established browser with a good user base and is a good alternative to Internet Explorer depending on what you're using. Maybe suggest it to them?

[TomHD]

I hear a Google Chrome RM Blueprint is coming Spring 2015, would that make any difference?

[Edu-IT]

Yes, it will be able to be nicely managed in the RMMC then.

[TomHD]

I have managed to get it all working via RMMC... I was O_o

 

Thanks for the inputs guys

 

Have a nice day.