Install an Unpacked Chrome Extension

Chrome extension setup guide

How to Install an Unpacked Chrome Extension

Learn how to extract a downloaded extension, select the correct folder, and use Chrome’s Load unpacked button on Chromebook, Windows, or Mac.

Start the installation
Fix a loading error
!

Do not select the ZIP or an individual file.
Extract the ZIP first, then select the entire folder that directly contains manifest.json.
Before you begin

ZIP file versus extracted folder

A ZIP is only a package used to deliver the extension files. Chrome needs the normal folder created after you extract that package.

Do not select

HTML-Validator.zip

You may be able to view its files, but Chrome cannot run the extension from inside the ZIP.

Select this

HTML-Validator folder

Open it once and confirm that manifest.json is immediately inside.

Video walkthrough

Watch the Complete Installation

See how to create the extracted folder, turn on Developer mode, and choose the correct folder with Load unpacked.

Watch the video first, then follow the written steps below if you need more detail.

Step 1

Download and extract the ZIP

Keep the extracted folder somewhere you will not delete or move while testing the extension.

Chromebook

  1. Open the Files app and select Downloads.
  2. Find the downloaded ZIP.
  3. Right-click it and choose Extract all.
  4. Open the new normal folder.

Windows

  1. Open File Explorer and go to Downloads.
  2. Right-click the ZIP and choose Extract All.
  3. Choose a destination and click Extract.
  4. Open the extracted folder.

Mac

  1. Open Finder and go to Downloads.
  2. Double-click the ZIP.
  3. macOS creates a folder beside it.
  4. Open that new folder.
Step 2

Confirm you have the correct folder

The folder you select must directly contain manifest.json. A typical extension looks like this:

HTML-Validator/
├── manifest.json
├── popup.html
├── popup.css
├── popup.js
├── README.txt
└── icons/
├── icon16.png
├── icon32.png
├── icon48.png
└── icon128.png
Watch for an extra folder level. If the first folder contains another folder with the same name, select the inner folder containing manifest.json.
Step 3

Load the extension in Chrome

Open the Extensions page

Enter chrome://extensions directly in Chrome’s address bar.

Turn on Developer mode

Enable the Developer mode switch near the upper-right corner.

Click Load unpacked

Chrome will open a folder picker. Faded individual files are normal because Chrome wants a folder.

Select the extracted folder

Highlight the folder that contains manifest.json, then click Select Folder or Open.

Confirm it loaded

The extension’s card should appear. If Chrome shows a red message, match it to the troubleshooting section below.

Step 4

Pin and test your extension

Pin its iconOpen Chrome’s puzzle-piece menu and pin the extension.
Open the popupTest every visible button, field, result, and message.
Use a normal webpageMost extensions cannot run on Chrome’s protected internal pages.
Refresh after installationReload the webpage before testing an extension that interacts with page content.
Check saved settingsClose and reopen the popup to confirm expected information remains saved.
Review permissionsMake sure requested access matches what the extension is supposed to do.

Troubleshooting

Fix Common Load Unpacked Problems

The files are faded or cannot be selected

Go back one level and select the entire extracted folder. Load unpacked does not select an individual file.

The folder says Read-only

You are probably looking inside the ZIP. Go back, right-click the ZIP, choose Extract all, and use the new folder.

Chrome says “Could not load manifest”

Select the folder that directly contains manifest.json. If that file is missing, download the project again.

Chrome says an icon is missing

The package has a missing or incorrectly named icon. Download a newly validated project and report the exact path if the problem remains.

The popup opens but nothing happens

Refresh the webpage, confirm the extension has permission to access it, and test on a normal HTTPS page rather than a protected Chrome page.

Chrome still shows my old changes

Click the extension card’s Reload button, refresh the target webpage, and reopen the popup.

Manage your test installation

Reload, Replace, or Remove It

Reload changes

Edit the same folder, click Reload on the extension card, and refresh the webpage.

Install a new download

Extract the new ZIP and load its folder. Do not overwrite files while Chrome is using them.

Remove the extension

Open chrome://extensions and click Remove on its card.

Quick answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I upload the ZIP to Load unpacked?

No. Extract the ZIP and select the folder that directly contains manifest.json.

Is this the same as installing from the Chrome Web Store?

No. Load unpacked is for local development and private testing. Public Web Store extensions go through Google’s listing and review process.

Can I turn off Developer mode afterward?

Leave Developer mode enabled while testing and managing an unpacked extension.

Is an unpacked extension safe?

Only install code from a source you trust, and review its requested permissions before using it on sensitive websites.

From idea to working files

Need an Extension to Test?

Describe what you want, download the validated project ZIP, and return to this guide when you are ready to install it.

Build a Chrome extension
Extension examplesPublishing guideChrome’s official tutorial