Unable to open chrome browser using Selenium Webdriver. Loading unpacked extensions are disabled by administrator

Question

I am automating my application using Selenium Webdriver, C#, Visual Studio and Chrome browser.

I am getting below popup when selenium tried to open the chrome browse

Answer 1

Help overcome how, exactly?

Selenium requires a helper extension to function. An enterprise policy lockdown is in effect, so you can't add it.

You will need to raise the problem with your IT dept if you want to run tests, after all you have a valid reason.

Update: It seems that Selenium can now run without the automation extension. See, for example, this answer for details on how to start Chrome without the extension if you must avoid its use.

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Chromedriver seems to always put its unpacked extension into a random temp location, which causes a random ID. This makes it impossible to whitelist the extension.

In fact, no, the ID of the extension is pinned. However, the enterprise policy does not allow whitelisting of unpacked extensions. Which is reasonable, as it would allow to bypass the security (all you need is the key fields in the manifest to impersonate the ID).

Making Chromedriver load packed extensions seems to require a lot of reworking, and considering the Windows limitations on installing them may be downright impossible.

Corresponding Chromedriver bug (very much ignored, it seems).