Aug 24, 2023

Chrome Stable seems to be preloading PWAs for Google Docs Editors, Drive, Gmail and YouTube

With the recent Chrome 116 update, we've noticed that the browser seems be be automatically installing the following PWAs onto the system:

Docs

chrome://app-settings/mpnpojknpmmopombnjdcgaaiekajbnjb

Gmail

chrome://app-settings/fmgjjmmmlfnkbppncabfkddbjimcfncm

Drive

chrome://app-settings/aghbiahbpaijignceidepookljebhfak

Sheets

chrome://app-settings/fhihpiojkbmbpdjeoajapmgkhlnakfjf

Slides

chrome://app-settings/kefjledonklijopmnomlcbpllchaibag

YouTube

chrome://app-settings/agimnkijcaahngcdmfeangaknmldooml

I was wondering what can be done to prevent Chrome from auto installing these onto a system. We currently only use Chrome on Windows 10/11 with only on-prem GPOs for management.

Details

Installers & Installation,Chrome Browser,250-1,000

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Last edited Aug 24, 2023

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Brad - Community Specialist

Community Specialist

Sep 5, 2023

Hi there,

Welcome to the Chrome Enterprise Help Community!

I understand that you want to prevent unwanted web apps from being automatically installed on devices where Chrome browser is managed.

Do you happen to have the WebAppInstallForceList policy configured? Setting the policy allows automatic installation of specific web apps without user interaction.

If that's not the case, then the issue that you're experiencing could be relevant to this Chromium bug.

Feel free to join the discussion and star the bug so that you'll receive email notifications when the bug is updated.

Please reach out to us in case you have further questions.

Best,
Brad

Aboredsysadmin

Original Poster

Sep 6, 2023

Hi,

Thanks for the reply, we don't have the WebAppInstallForceList policy configured so I suspect that we're experiencing the bug that's linked.

Brad - Community Specialist

Community Specialist

Oct 5, 2023

Hi there again,

As per the latest update from the Chromium team, Chrome 118 should resolve this issue. It will prevent future installs of these preinstalled apps.

Meanwhile, you can either use the ExtensionInstallBlocklist policy or the registry key (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome\ExtensionInstallBlocklist) to block / disable the apps that are already installed.

Please follow this workaround which suggests how to use the ExtensionInstallBlocklist policy (or) registry key to achieve the desired outcome

Best,
Brad