Chrome normally installs extensions from the Web Store, but you can load an unpacked extension from a ZIP file directly into your browser

Most Chrome extensions come from the Chrome Web Store and install with a single click. If you have a ZIP file instead — perhaps a custom extension, a development version, or one from a third-party source — you can extract it and load it into Chrome using Developer Mode. The process takes about two minutes and requires no coding knowledge.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're on Windows, Mac, or Linux, but the core method is the same: extract the ZIP, enable Developer Mode in Chrome's extension settings, and point Chrome to the extracted folder.

Key Takeaways

  • You must extract the ZIP file to a folder on your computer before Chrome can load it — Chrome cannot read extensions directly from a ZIP archive.
  • Developer Mode must be turned on in Chrome's extension settings before you can load an unpacked extension.
  • After loading the extension, Chrome will show it in your extension list, but it may display a warning that it's from an unknown source.
  • If the extension stops working after a Chrome update, you may need to reload it manually from the same folder.

Extract the ZIP file to a folder

Before Chrome can read the extension, you need to unzip the file. On Windows, right-click the ZIP file, select "Extract All", and choose a location you'll remember — your Downloads folder or Desktop works fine. On Mac, double-click the ZIP file and it will extract automatically. On Linux, right-click and select "Extract Here" or use the command line: unzip filename.zip.

After extraction, you should see a folder containing files like manifest.json, popup.html, or background.js. This folder is what you'll point Chrome to. Do not delete the ZIP file yet — keep the extracted folder in a permanent location, because Chrome needs to access it as long as the extension is installed.

Open Chrome's extension settings and enable Developer Mode

In Chrome, click the three-dot menu in the top right corner, then select Settings. On the left sidebar, click Extensions. In the top right corner of the Extensions page, toggle Developer Mode to the on position — it will turn blue.

When Developer Mode is on, three new buttons appear at the top of the Extensions page: Load unpacked, Pack extension, and Update. You only need the first one.

Load the unpacked extension folder

Click the Load unpacked button. A file browser window will open. Navigate to the folder you extracted from the ZIP file and select it — do not select individual files inside the folder, select the folder itself. Click Select Folder (or Open on Mac).

Chrome will read the folder and load the extension. If the extension is valid, it will appear in your extension list with an icon, name, and description. If Chrome shows an error message, the ZIP file may be corrupted, or the folder structure may be wrong — check that manifest.json is in the root of the extracted folder, not in a subfolder.

What to do if Chrome shows a warning

Extensions loaded from outside the Web Store often display a warning banner saying the extension is from an unknown source or that it may harm your computer. This is normal and does not mean the extension is unsafe — it means Chrome cannot verify it came from the official Web Store. If you trust the source, you can ignore the warning and use the extension normally.

The extension will work the same way as one from the Web Store. You can pin it to your toolbar, adjust its permissions, or remove it at any time from the Extensions page.

Reload the extension if it stops working

After a Chrome update, unpacked extensions sometimes stop working or show an error. To fix this, go back to the Extensions page, find the extension, and click the Reload button (a circular arrow icon) next to its name. Chrome will re-read the folder and restart the extension.

If reloading does not work, the extension may no longer be compatible with your version of Chrome. Check the extension's documentation or contact the developer for an updated version.

Moving or deleting the extracted folder

Once the extension is loaded, Chrome creates a reference to the folder on your computer. If you move or delete that folder, the extension will stop working and Chrome will show an error. Keep the extracted folder in a permanent location — a dedicated folder for extensions, or a folder you know you will not delete.

If you want to uninstall the extension, click the trash icon on the Extensions page. This removes the extension from Chrome but does not delete the folder itself — you can delete the folder manually afterward if you want to free up space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I load a ZIP file directly without extracting it?

No. Chrome can only load extensions from a folder on your computer, not from a compressed ZIP file. You must extract the ZIP first.

What if the extension folder has a subfolder inside it?

When you click "Load unpacked", select the folder that contains manifest.json at its root level. If manifest.json is inside a subfolder, navigate into that subfolder and select it instead.

Will the extension stay installed after I restart Chrome?

Yes. Unpacked extensions stay installed until you remove them manually from the Extensions page. As long as the extracted folder still exists on your computer, the extension will load every time you open Chrome.

Can I share an unpacked extension with someone else?

Yes, you can send them the ZIP file or the extracted folder. They will need to follow the same steps to load it into their own Chrome browser. They cannot install it by double-clicking a file — they must use Developer Mode.

Why does Chrome say the extension is "not from Chrome Web Store"?

This warning appears because the extension was not installed through the official Chrome Web Store. It does not mean the extension is unsafe — it only means Chrome cannot verify its source. If you trust where the extension came from, you can use it normally.