Chromium


The free and open-source project behind Google Chrome

Windows 10, 8, 7

How to install, update and remove Chromium, on Windows?
About updates: your settings, bookmarks, extensions, history, passwords, cookies... will be saved. Do not worry!
For automated updates, use a Chromium #updater

Installer
  1. Download the EXE executable file (This is a 7-zip archive file. So you can unzip it to see its content)
  2. Close Chromium browser if opened
  3. Execute this EXE file
  4. Wait for 2 or 3 seconds (Installation is silent)
  5. Open Chromium browser. It is updated!
  6. To remove it definitively: use the standard way or a software like CCleaner.

Archive
  1. Download the ZIP archive file
  2. Close Chromium browser if opened
  3. Unzip this ZIP file
  4. Delete all the files from your installation directory
  5. Move the files from the unzipped directory to your installation directory
  6. Open Chromium browser. It is updated!
  7. To remove it definitively: delete your installation directory

Portable
Note: Chromium has "Secure Preferences" feature based on the machine SID. So extensions, certificates and passwords are not portable. The only way to migrate these data is to synchronize your data.
  1. Download and unzip "chrlauncher-xxxxxxx.zip"
  2. Execute chrlauncher.exe (chrlauncher is a free and open-source Chromium launcher/updater)
  3. Close Chromium browser if a notification displays a new version
  4. Click on the "Download" button
  5. Wait for download and automatic installation
  6. Open Chromium browser. It is updated!
  7. To remove it definitively: delete the chrlauncher folder

Package
  1. Install Chocolatey (A free and open-source package manager) in command-line
  2. Chromium will be automatically updated via Chocolatey
  3. To remove it definitively: use the "uninstall" command-line via Chocolatey
Windows XP, Vista
Since version 50, Chromium is not available on XP and Vista. For help, version 49 works fine.
In addition, if you have an old CPU without SSE2 support, version 34 is the last one (portable, build before 253860).

Chromium for 64-bit Windows

Reference: Google Chrome 71.0.3578.80 (599034) • Tuesday, 4 Dec 2018

Nikup-to-datewidevineall-codecssyncwin64

Installer • Archive • Portable
71.0.3578.80 (599034) • Wednesday, 5 Dec 2018
Info:
  • sha1: 35c37e841375874cdceeb9e6f0178ae7a94c395c.- chromium-sync.exe
  • sha1: 01b5d069cd66267ddd2815797f6cc3874bb04661.- chromium-sync.zip
  • The Portable version uses the free and open-source chrlauncher to install, update and launch Chromium.
  • List of changes
  • #source-code: follow the Nik guide
  • Source: Github repository

Marmadukeup-to-dateungoogledwidevineall-codecsno-syncwin64

Archive
71.0.3578.80 (599034) • Monday, 10 Dec 2018
Standard build of Eloston's ungoogled-chromium. All patches applied, apart from "Safe Browser". Linking failed due to safe browsing being removed, so I decided not to remove any element of safe browsing.

I can actually get Ungoogled to build with the "Safe Browser" patch; but, Chromium fails to launch. I amended the Windows specific (Safe Browser) patch, but feel that the problem is with the generic patches.

Anyway, it's Eloston's build process that I like, and suggest that someone helps out and solves the Windows Safe Browser problem.

Info:
  • sha1: ee4db4459716b0aa95df160edc7e9af438dc2359.- ungoogled-chromium-70.0.3538.110-3_windows.7z
  • Source: Github repository

RobRichthinLTOmodifiedno-syncwin64

Installer • Archive • Portable
73.0.3635.0 (614974) • Saturday, 8 Dec 2018
Info:
  • sha1: ab2aa49d453e2e6e889faa294f86288c95632e6c.- mini_installer.exe
  • sha1: b031905eadcf7ba1eada27b81507f46557f2345e.- chrome.zip
  • The Portable version uses the free and open-source chrlauncher to install, update and launch Chromium.
  • Previous versions (win64)
  • #source-code
  • Source: Github repository

Nikall-codecssyncwin64

Installer • Archive • Portable
72.0.3615.0 (609145) • Monday, 19 Nov 2018
Info:
  • sha1: bf3392e387fa14b77d23cb32f5dc3d4f3d57f1e8.- chromium-sync.exe
  • sha1: 3397fa3f26810177edbe1c9aa21911b42c518387.- chromium-sync.zip
  • The Portable version uses the free and open-source chrlauncher to install, update and launch Chromium.
  • Previous versions (win64)
  • #source-code: follow the Nik guide
  • Source: Github repository

MarmadukethinLTOall-codecsno-syncwin64

Archive • Portable
73.0.3632.0 (614242) • Wednesday, 5 Dec 2018
Info:

ThumbAppsno-syncwin64

Portable
73.0.3637.0 • Tuesday, 11 Dec 2018
This is an open-source and custom-built version of Chromium optimized for portable use. So, you can run it from an USB flash drive, portable hard drive, CD or any other portable media. You can take your bookmarks, extensions, themes and plugins with you. This portable version will leave no personal information behind on the machine you run it on.

Packaged in the PortableApps.com format by Versatile Apps, it can work as standalone software.

How to update it?
Nothing is written to the Windows registry. This version uses a specific subfolder (named "Data") directly in the main folder, for all user data. So, take care when you update it!

Info:

The Chromium Authorsno-syncwin64

Installer • Archive • Portable • Package
73.0.3639.0 (615864) • Wednesday, 12 Dec 2018
Info

Chromium for 32-bit Windows

Reference: Google Chrome 71.0.3578.80 (599034) • Tuesday, 4 Dec 2018

Nikup-to-datewidevineall-codecssyncwin32

Installer • Archive • Portable
71.0.3578.80 (599034) • Thursday, 6 Dec 2018
Info:
  • sha1: 618178598bf774f331c7a72ac0fad72136361930.- chromium-sync.exe
  • sha1: 6d9d340c30837f31c5ccb2b622db548762037306.- chromium-sync.zip
  • The Portable version uses the free and open-source chrlauncher to install, update and launch Chromium.
  • List of changes
  • #source-code: follow the Nik guide
  • Source: Github repository

RobRichthinLTOmodifiedno-syncwin32

Installer • Archive • Portable
73.0.3635.0 (614974) • Saturday, 8 Dec 2018
Info:
  • sha1: 5baf982c0d06bbada9feaa73b6be76d4e3bde6b8.- mini_installer.exe
  • sha1: 9b06f490d7081911d65b8b3d49c1d74f51c2d060.- chrome.zip
  • The Portable version uses the free and open-source chrlauncher to install, update and launch Chromium.
  • Previous versions (win32)
  • #source-code
  • Source: Github repository

Nikall-codecssyncwin32

Installer • Archive • Portable
70.0.3518.0 (581881) • Friday, 10 Aug 2018
Info:
  • sha1: 3aa57e8e641e89604790cca27fe79b74633b9dc0.- chromium-sync.exe
  • sha1: 00f9477aec0760640bdcea15e8e279a195982712.- chromium-sync.zip
  • The Portable version uses the free and open-source chrlauncher to install, update and launch Chromium.
  • Previous versions (win32)
  • #source-code: follow the Nik guide
  • Source: Github repository

ThumbAppsno-syncwin32

Portable
73.0.3637.0 • Tuesday, 11 Dec 2018
This is an open-source and custom-built version of Chromium optimized for portable use. So, you can run it from an USB flash drive, portable hard drive, CD or any other portable media. You can take your bookmarks, extensions, themes and plugins with you. This portable version will leave no personal information behind on the machine you run it on.

Packaged in the PortableApps.com format by Versatile Apps, it can work as standalone software.

How to update it?
Nothing is written to the Windows registry. This version uses a specific subfolder (named "Data") directly in the main folder, for all user data. So, take care when you update it!

Info:

The Chromium Authorsno-syncwin32

Installer • Archive • Portable • Package
73.0.3639.0 (615864) • Wednesday, 12 Dec 2018
Info

macOS 10.10+

How to install, update and remove Chromium, on macOS?
About updates: your settings, bookmarks, extensions, history, passwords, cookies... will be saved. Do not worry!
For automated updates, use a Chromium #updater

Installer
  1. Download the DMG file
  2. Close Chromium browser if opened
  3. Execute this DMG file
  4. Drag its icon on Applications folder
  5. You may then "Eject" and throw away this disk image
  6. To remove it definitively: drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash.

Archive
  1. Download the ZIP archive file
  2. Close Chromium browser if opened
  3. Unzip this ZIP file
  4. Double click on the unzipped folder to open it
  5. Drag its icon on Applications folder
  6. To remove it definitively: drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash

Chromium for 64-bit macOS

Reference: Google Chrome 71.0.3578.80 (599034) • Tuesday, 4 Dec 2018

FreeSMUGup-to-dateno-syncmac

Installer
71.0.3578.80 (599034) • Wednesday, 5 Dec 2018
Info:

Marmadukeup-to-datewidevineall-codecssyncmac

Archive
71.0.3578.80 (599034) • Wednesday, 5 Dec 2018
Info:

Marmadukeup-to-dateall-codecsno-syncmac

Archive
71.0.3578.80 (599034) • Wednesday, 5 Dec 2018
Info:

Marmadukeall-codecssyncmac

Archive
73.0.3637.0 (615361) • Monday, 10 Dec 2018
Feedback appreciated - if demand will update once a month. Do no hesitate to write #comments ;)

Info:

Marmadukeall-codecsno-syncmac

Archive
73.0.3637.0 (615361) • Monday, 10 Dec 2018
Feedback appreciated - if demand will update once a month. Do no hesitate to write #comments ;)

Info:

The Chromium Authorsno-syncmac

Archive
73.0.3639.0 (615844) • Wednesday, 12 Dec 2018
Info

Chromium for 32-bit macOS

Since version 39, Chromium and Google Chrome are not available in 32-bit version for macOS.

Linux

How to install, update and remove Chromium, on Linux distributions?
In most cases, Chromium is directly available in the official repository of each Linux distribution. So it is easy to install, update and remove it via the integrated software/package manager or in command-lines.

There are other ways like Snappy (chromium::snap-package). For more, check a list of software package management systems.

Chromium for 64-bit and 32-bit Linux

Reference: Google Chrome 71.0.3578.80 (599034) • Tuesday, 4 Dec 2018

linux

Arch Linux

Available in the official repository
Info:

linux

Debian

Available in the official repository
To install the stable Chromium version:
  • use the integrated software/package manager
  • or type these commands:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install chromium chromium-l10n
(chromium-l10n is only used for localization and is optional)

Info:

linux

Fedora

Available in the official repository (since Chromium v52)
Info:

linux

Gentoo Linux

Available in the official repository
Info:

linux

Linux Mint

Available in the official repository
To install the stable Chromium version:
  • use the integrated software/package manager
  • or type commands (#ubuntu)

Info:

linux

Mageia

Available in the official repository
Info:

linux

Manjaro

Available in the official #arch-linux repository
Info:

linux

openSUSE

Available in the official repository
Info:

linux

Puppy Linux

Unavailable in the official repository but you can install it!
Follow the main discussion on the Puppy Linux forum.

Info:

linux

Slackware

Unavailable in the official repository but you can install it!
Follow the blog post of Eric Hameleers (developer of Chromium packages)

Slackware is an independent distribution

linux

Solus

Unavailable in the official repository but you can install it!
Install Snappy on Solus (if not installed). Then type this command: sudo snap install chromium
Info:

linux

Ubuntu

Available in the official repository
To install the stable Chromium version:
  • use the integrated software/package manager
  • or type these commands about this PPA:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:canonical-chromium-builds/stage
sudo apt update
sudo apt install chromium-browser

To add language packages: sudo apt install chromium-browser-l10n
To add only the patent-free (ogg, vorbis, theora and av1) codecs: sudo apt install chromium-codecs-ffmpeg

To add the patent-free codecs + mp3, aac, ac3, mpeg4 (audio/h264), mov: sudo apt install chromium-codecs-ffmpeg-extra

Info:

linux

Chromium OS

Info
Chromium OS is the open-source OS designed by Google that primarily runs web applications. Based on Gentoo, it exists since 2009. Chromium is its default web browser. Google Chrome OS (closed-source) is based on Chromium OS.

Free and open-source releases:

BSD

Chromium for 64-bit and 32-bit BSD

Reference: Google Chrome 71.0.3578.80 (599034) • Tuesday, 4 Dec 2018

bsd

FreeBSD

Available in the official repository
Info:

bsd

OpenBSD

Available in the official repository
Info:

Android

Chromium for 64-bit and 32-bit Android

Reference: Google Chrome 71.0.3578.83 (599034) • Tuesday, 4 Dec 2018

Carlno-syncandroid

Package
71.0.3578.85 • Wednesday, 5 Dec 2018
Info:

The Chromium Authorsno-syncandroid

Archive
73.0.3639.0 (615875) • Wednesday, 12 Dec 2018
This ZIP archive contains 2 packages:
Info:

iOS

Reference: Google Chrome 71.0.3578.89 • Tuesday, 11 Dec 2018
Chromium on iOS is a big fake!
Check the official blog post and build instructions to understand that Chromium cannot use the existing content/implementation, which is based on V8/Blink. It is just a skin on top of Safari. Go your way!

Notes

Obviously, you know this site is not the Chromium official website. As a regular user (not an expert), I created it in 2013 because I did not find a simple way to download good releases. I try to keep it as safe and fast as possible! ;) This is absolutely a non-profit site. Please, read the #privacy-policy (on the right-hand side).

In short:
  • The official website is development oriented. Users are invited to download Google Chrome.
  • The official download page gives to users only ZIP archives of development builds (also known as "Snapshot", "Nightly" or "Raw" builds) which can be very unstable.
  • This site gives to users a choice of builds: development (also on its simplest download page), stable and portable builds.

All downloads are only from reliable sources:

1. Project

Chromium exists since 2008. It is the free and open-source project (#features) behind the famous Google Chrome browser. There are many advantages for an enterprise to work on an open-source project. Intrinsically, Chromium is a Google project maintained by many authors (developers, engineers, graphic designers, security researchers...) from Google, Adobe, Cloudflare, Facebook, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Mozilla, Nike, Nvidia, Samsung, Vivaldi, Yandex... and external contributors.

Chromium is not only a web browser. It is a blend of different open-source projects:
  • ANGLE (a graphics engine abstraction layer)
  • Blink (a rendering/layout engine)
  • Native Client (a sandbox for running native code)
  • PDFium (a PDF generation and rendering library)
  • Sandbox (a security mechanism for separating running programs)
  • Skia (a graphics library)
  • V8 (a JavaScript engine)
  • and others...

These projects are used in Chromium browser (obviously!) and other software like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Vivaldi, MS Edge, Skype, Spotify, Steam, Minecraft, TeamViewer, WhatsApp, Twitch, Android WebView, Microsoft Visual Studio Code, Adobe Acrobat, Electron, CEF, QtWebEngine... For example, Firefox uses some stuff of Chromium (Sandbox, ANGLE, Skia, Google Safe browsing) on Windows. MS Edge uses currently ANGLE on Windows and Blink on Android. Since December 2018, Microsoft is rebuilding its Edge browser on Chromium.

Chromium is not fully designed by Google! However, as a primary investor, Google gives a consistent guidance and provides all free tools and services related to this project.

Chromium is the project then Google Chrome is the product.

2. Stable Chromium version

Officially, Chromium does not have a stable release. The official developers (aka The Chromium Authors) do not release it to end users. So it is continually in development. Google Chrome is the stable release... but is not open-source.

In fact, Chromium has a stable version. ^^
Example: The current stable version on #linux is 71.0.3578.80. In this version, there are 80 patches which correct many issues (bugs, feature requests, enhancements...). Because Chromium is open-source (#source-code), anybody can compile it. You must be a developer to do this. Just get the current stable version (71.0.3578.80) from the official Git repository and compile it!

All stable versions of Chromium on #windows, #mac, #linux... are always made by third-party developers.

The stable version of Chromium is compiled by:

3. Development

Basically, Chromium has few versions every day, but you can stick with a version for about a month before you need to upgrade.

dev
A DEV build (also known as "Snapshot", "Nightly" or "Raw" build) is compile of the Chromium code whenever there are submitted code changes. Check the buildbot console. A snapshot build will be created as long as the code compiles successfully. Its binary files are stored in the Snapshots repository of Google Storage. This build is really just development tool for checking whether issues are fixed in the latest Chromium code. It can be buggy and unstable.
About lkcr/lkgr development builds
lkcr
A LKCR build does at least provide some level of guarantee that the particular revision actually should build, which is good for third-party builds for not wasting time on potentially uncompilable builds. As a result, LKCR usually trails the dev trunk by a few revisions (commits).

If building straight off dev, it can be a guess whether a build will compile or not, so a third-party builder could be wasting processor cycles that could otherwise go to a known compilable build (LKCR).

lkgr
Each snapshot build is then run through the automated tests. If that snapshot build successfully passes the automated tests, it is considered as a good build: LKGR (Last Known Good Revision)... and can become potentially a stable build.

Note LKGR builds were stored in the Continuous repository until Friday, 18 Mar 2016. The Chromium team has removed few LKGR builders (407399, 576253 and chromium-dev) but other ones still work (latest commit, latest builds). Finally, there is no LKGR binary shared by the Chromium team... but any developer can re-compile it! ^^

stable
A stable build is a DEV build tested and improved by the Chromium team.

In resume:

4. Finally

Except for stable versions, the developers use the official Snapshots repository to re-compile their builds.

So I give you the opportunity to download only nice Chromium releases ;)
If you want, check the simplest multilingual page: → download/

This entire website (#news and #api included) is auto-updated each hour by the server itself.

Thanks for your attention.
Have a good time! ;)
Jerry

Features

Chromium vs Google Chrome.

Chromium browser has:
Some developers maintain #chromium-forks that offer more features and enhancements. Thanks a lot for developers! ;)

And if you want to follow new Chromium features, check the Google+ posts of the Chromium Evangelist at Google

Google API keys

To use Google services (Sync, Translate, Contacts, Hotword...), Chromium needs Google API keys.

Chromium can display a top message if the Google API keys are needed for Google services:
Google API keys are missing. Some functionality of Chromium will be disabled. Learn More
How to create your own Google API keys?
With your own Google API keys, many Google services (Sync, Translate, Contacts, Hotword...) will work. Follow the official API Keys page to get them. Other info at Github Gist. Then set three environment variables.

On Windows

Launch Command Prompt (cmd.exe) and enter the following commands:
setx GOOGLE_API_KEY yourkey
setx GOOGLE_DEFAULT_CLIENT_ID yourclientid
setx GOOGLE_DEFAULT_CLIENT_SECRET yourclientsecret
(setx = set environment variables permanently)

On macOS

This tutorial was written by Aargl on december 7, 2018 (#comment-4078). Thanks to him. There are 2 methods:

1. Method with ChromiumSyncEnabler

ChromiumSyncEnabler (Archive: ZIP)
  • Put Chromium_template and ChromiumSyncEnabler.py at the root of the current user (~/)
  • Put Chromium.app in ~/Applications
  • In Terminal, type: python /Users/your_user_name/ChromiumSyncEnabler.py
  • Enter your API keys
N.B.: if you want to activate for all users, do the same procedure putting the files respectively in / and /Applications (I haven't tried, but I can't see why it wouldn't work...)

2. Method with a plist file

Creation of a ~/Library/LaunchAgents/setenv.ChromiumSync.plist containing: <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd ">
<plist version="1.0">
   <dict>
      <key>Label</key>
      <string>setenv.ChromiumSync</string>
      <key>ProgramArguments</key>
      <array>
         <string>/bin/launchctl</string>
         <string>setenv</string>
         <string>GOOGLE_API_KEY</string>
         <string>your_key</string>
         <string>/bin/launchctl</string>
         <string>setenv</string>
         <string>GOOGLE_DEFAULT_CLIENT_ID</string>
         <string>your_key</string>
         <string>/bin/launchctl</string>
         <string>setenv</string>
         <string>GOOGLE_DEFAULT_CLIENT_SECRET</string>
         <string>your_key</string>
      </array>
      <key>RunAtLoad</key>
      <true/>
      <key>ServiceIPC</key>
      <false/>
   </dict>
</plist> (with "your_key" being the corresponding Google API key)

N.B.: I don't know if the ServiceIPC part is needed or not, but it works like that. :-)
Of course, you can name the LaunchAgent setenv.ChromiumSync or anything you want.
  • This is perfectly working in 10.11
  • In 10.9, you must create 3 separate LaunchAgent files instead (one for each key)
  • I couldn't test more recent OSes, but I think it should work as in 10.11
The choice between method 1 or 2 depends on wether you want to enter your API keys each time or not... ;-)
Now launch Chromium.
How to disable Google API keys?
Without Google API keys, many Google services (Sync, Translate, Contacts, Hotword...) will not work.

On Windows

Launch Command Prompt (cmd.exe) and enter the following commands:
setx GOOGLE_API_KEY "false"
setx GOOGLE_DEFAULT_CLIENT_ID "false"
setx GOOGLE_DEFAULT_CLIENT_SECRET "false"
(setx = set environment variables permanently)

Now launch Chromium.

Flash plugin

Flash is a deprecated multimedia software platform. Since 2015, the Flash #npapi plugin is discontinued. So, PepperFlash (PPAPI) is the unique plugin for Chromium. For info, PepperFlash is secure because it works in a sandbox. In short, it executes in its own process, separate from the browser's rendering engine.
How to quickly install the Flash plugin?
On Windows and macOS, Chomium find PepperFlash itself (= without #command-line-flags)

  1. Install PepperFlash (PPAPI) from Adobe website.
  2. Check chrome://flash
  3. Disable "Ask first" in the chrome://settings/content/flash page. (screenshot)
  4. Test if animation works on the Flash Player versions page.
  5. Enjoy!
How to manually install the Flash plugin?
This is a full manual installation tutorial.
(If Google Chrome is already installed, go directly to "3. Add command-line flags"

1. Get PepperFlash (PPAPI)

This plugin is a non-free (proprietary) software developed by Adobe, and distributed bundled with Google Chrome. So get it from the official sources: Adobe or Google.

1.1 From Adobe

Different official ways:
After install, the plugin path will be:
- On a 64-bit #windows:
  • C:\Windows\system32\Macromed\Flash\pepflashplayer64_[version].dll (64-bit version)
  • C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\pepflashplayer32_[version].dll (32-bit version)
- On a 32-bit #windows:
  • C:\Windows\system32\Macromed\Flash\pepflashplayer32_[version].dll (32-bit version)

1.2 From Google Chrome

Canary channel:

1.3 From an unofficial source

(Use an online service to prevent #malware)
  1. Search "PepperFlash" or "PPAPI" at [RU] effect8.ru or patheticcockroach.com
  2. Download and open the .7z archive
  3. Get "pepflashplayer.dll" (rename it, if needed) and "manifest.json" files.

Optionally, get the Flash version number:
(If you want to see the correct version number on Chromium internal pages)
  • On all platforms, open the manifest.json text file in the PepperFlash folder.
  • On Windows, you can do a right-click → Properties → Details, on the .dll file

2. Change the plugin directory

If you want, prefer a short path for the plugin. It will be easier for the next step. ^^
Example on Windows: Put this .dll file in a path like C:\PepperFlash\ (Create the directory if needed)

3. Add command-line flags

Use these #command-line-flags:
  • --ppapi-flash-path=[plugin path]
  • --ppapi-flash-version=[plugin version]
  • And optionally --allow-outdated-plugins to disable browser notifications about outdated plugins

On #windows, create a Chromium shortcut. Then go to its properties and edit the target field: --ppapi-flash-path="C:\PepperFlash\pepflashplayer.dll" --ppapi-flash-version="32.0.0.101" --allow-outdated-plugins
On #mac, you will need to launch it from the command-line (in the Terminal): /Applications/Chromium.app/Contents/MacOS/Chromium --ppapi-flash-path=/Library/Internet\ Plug-Ins/PepperFlashPlayer/PepperFlashPlayer.plugin --ppapi-flash-version=32.0.0.101& The "&" at the end is not a typo. It is there to make sure Chromium is launched in a separate thread. Without the "&", Chromium would exit as soon as you quit the Terminal. Moreover, to simplify the Chromium launch, check How to create simple Mac apps from shell scripts (Archive: 1). Also see the #comment-566 and #comment-344.

4. Restart the browser

Relaunch it to apply changes.

5. Check the installation

6. Enjoy!

Now, even after browser updates, Chromium uses PepperFlash. ^^

NPAPI plugin

NPAPI is a deprecated API that allows browser extensions to be developed. Chromium 45.0.2416.0 (331982) is the last version which still has NPAPI plugin support enabled via chrome://flags or group policy registry. (source • NPAPI deprecation)
How to still use a NPAPI plugin?
Few ways:
More info on site archives:

HTML5 audio/video

By default, Chromium does not support proprietary codecs (AAC, H.264/MP4) in the HTML <audio> and <video> elements.
How to use Chromium with all audio/video codecs?
Few ways:
  • Use Nik builds on #windows or Marmaduke builds on #mac. All codecs are enabled ^^
  • or compile Chromium from #source-code with proprietary codecs
  • or install an older version having ffmpegsumo file (Ex: 333350, 333334, 333283, 333258...)
  • or choose other #browsers
  • On #linux, you can use Chromium with proprietary codecs

Before 4 June 2015, we used an alternative with the Google Chrome ffmpegsumo file and our Patch HTML5 Media extension. More info on site archives:

Check HTML5 audio/video support at https://tools.woolyss.com/html5-audio-video-tester/

If there is a video issue, disable hardware acceleration (see #browser-crash).

Advanced

1. Internal pages

To access to all internal pages, use chrome://about. Copy and paste this special URL directly into the address bar (omnibox). Obviously, this special URL works only in Chromium and Google Chrome. Note: About configuration settings, there is nothing similar to Firefox's about:config in Chromium.

Few internal pages:
About browser plugins
Since version 57, the chrome://plugins page no longer exists. (official source)

Info:
How to clear the DNS cache?
Open chrome://net-internals/#dns and click on the "Clear host cache" button.

2. Keyboard shortcuts

To use keyboard shortcuts (on Windows, Mac and Linux), check this full list of official shortcuts... and this one if you are developer. Most of the shortcuts are similar to IE, Firefox or any other browser.

3. Command-line flags

There are command-line flags (or "switches") that Chromium accept in order to enable particular features or modify otherwise default functionality. Note flags often contain experimental or obsolete code, so they tend not to stick around for long.
How to start Chromium directly in incognito (or private) mode, on Windows?
Add the "--incognito" flag at the end of the Chromium shortcut and restart the browser. (screenshot)
"C:\{...}\Chromium\Application\chrome.exe" --incognito

4. User data directory

About your profile (history, bookmarks...), it is important to know where is stored your user data.
How to change the user data directory?
Add the "--user-data-dir" flag at the end of the Chromium shortcut and restart the browser. (screenshot)
"C:\{...}\Chromium\Application\chrome.exe" --user-data-dir=..\my-profile-path

5. External extension installation

How to install an external browser add-on?
Get the .crx source file of any extension directly from the Chrome Web Store via CRX Viewer, Get CRX or via a site like Chrome Extension Downloader, Crx4Chrome.
  1. Go to chrome://extensions
  2. Drag and drop the .crx file on chrome://extensions

If it does not work...
  1. Unzip the .crx file
  2. Go to chrome://extensions
  3. Drag and drop the unzipped folder on the page... or click on Developer mode then Load unpacked extension...

About updates:
  • You have to update manually
  • You can update when you want! ^^
  • If ever a new version sucks, just re-install the previous one

6. Source code

Before all, check the official guide for developers.

Official links to easily get or see the full Chromium source code:
Interesting info:

7. Older version

Never update your browser with a very old version. It even does not start.

To downgrade Chromium installed with the Installer (.exe):
  1. Open Chromium and check its actual version at chrome://version
  2. Close Chromium.
  3. Uninstall Chromium WITHOUT to delete your #user-data-directory. It is an option of its uninstaller. (screenshot)
  4. Get the Installer (.exe) of an older version (from the → download/ page or Snapshots repository about "official" builds)
  5. Execute it to install Chromium.
  6. Open Chromium and check the new installed version at chrome://version

8. Browser crash

You have encountered a browser crash or issue :/

Few ways to help you:

Also you can use #command-line-flags: --disable-gpu, --disable-accelerated-video-decode...

API

This is a free and simple API for developers to update Chromium to the latest good build via a bash (shell) script, a browser extension... Read my #notes. Please, do not use this API to build other websites. To prevent abuse, the site can audit each API request.
API details
GET request parameters:
  • os → (required) windows or mac or android
  • bit → (optional • 64 by default) 64 or 32
  • out → (optional • json by default) json or string or xml or revision

Response:
chromium → windows or mac or android →
  • architecture → (string) 64-bit or 32-bit
  • timestamp → (integer) Unix time of this release built on the Chromium Buildbot server
  • editor → (string) The Chromium Authors
  • channel → (string) dev
  • repository → (string) snapshots
  • version → (string) (like xx.x.xxxx.x)
  • revision → (integer) Git revision's commit position
  • commit → (string) Git revision's commit hash

Basic examples:
Example to get the latest build with the out → revision parameter:

Browsers

1. Open-source browsers

2. Chromium forks

In simple words, a fork of Chromium means Chromium engine is used to create another web browser.

Proprietary browsers:
(developed by official contributors of the Chromium #project)
I do not recommend:
Why not recommended?
Because all of these browsers are closed-source, outdated, based on Chromium like Google Chrome... and most of the features they remove don't even exist in Chromium, in the first place. Control your personal info and #privacy yourself ^^

Moreover, InsanityBit explains this very well on his blog: SRWare Iron Browser – A private alternative to Chrome? (2012 • Archives: 1, 2)

Note if a new browser with "better privacy" than Google Chrome is based on Chromium and is fully open-source, it should be ok for me. But... Google is famous. Its privacy policy and marketing strategy are well known. So you have to ask you some questions. Do you trust in an unknown team more than Google? Is an outdated Chromium fork?
Few free and open-source Chromium forks:

Privacy

For a better privacy protection, use open-source #browsers like Chromium, Firefox and even Tor browser. Do not forget: It is open-source does not mean it is secure and respects user privacy. Moreover, security ≠ privacy. If your browser is fully "open-source", it means that somebody with the capability can review the #source-code. It is easier for developers to find malicious code with versioning tools like SVN or Git. (Ex: Chromium downloads a Chrome extension as a binary without source code → corrected 7 days after the report). Only an open-source code allows such defense. This is better for secure browsing and user privacy. The security of Chromium is very solid. While I recommend Firefox as the most reliable browser for privacy enthusiasts in a standard web browsing (cf. about:config settings, better content-filtering and ad blocking extensions), Chromium is probably a reasonable alternative for everyday web browsing.

My way (but do as you like ^^):
  1. Modify your #hosts-file to stop "natively" domains who serve ads, spyware and malware
  2. Use a VPN with strong encryption for your whole OS or router (It is better than browser VPN/proxy #extensions)
  3. Use an up-to-date web browser
  4. Change few #browser-settings
  5. Install few #extensions

You cannot be anonymous on web even using a VPN or TOR network. It is a myth that you cannot be tracked online. If you exist, you are findable. There a lot of technologies to get user data. Read the #guides for more information. However, you can protect your privacy against tracking and profiling tools. These tracking tools are everywhere today: on the web (website, app...), at home (computer, phone, router, smart TV, smart bulb, smart grid...), in your car (GPS system, connected car...), in the street (video surveillance camera...), at your ISP and other. You can find them in firmware (hardware) and software (operating system, app, website, extension...).

1. Browser update

The reason for updating to the latest version is security. As security threats are found, they are fixed. Using an old version expose user to a number of security holes and privacy issues. Browsers are far more subject to hacking than other software.

2. Browser settings

Adjust all settings and advanced settings in chrome://settings:

3. Hosts file

Modify your hosts file to prevent your OS from connecting to domains who serve ads, spyware and malware. This will increase your OS security and save bandwidth.

Note:

4. DNS services

By default you are using the DNS servers of your ISP but you do not have to stick with them. Before to choose one, compare DNS performance. Free alternative Internet DNS services for personal use:

5. Web search engines

Note: Few #extensions exist to protect user privacy on search engines.

Search engines


Metasearch engine


If you are a web developer, use your own metasearch engine yourself ^^

6. Extensions

Note: Extensions hosted on Chrome Web Store are updated via the Chrome update mechanism (cf. Chromium source code) which developers and users do not control. For a manual installation, read the #external-extension-installation part.

Priority to open-source (no code obfuscation) extensions for Chromium and Firefox:

Block ads, trackers, scripts and popups

uBlock Origin + uBO-Extra

Stop everyone from tracking you

uMatrix

Force to use secure connection of websites (https://)

HTTPS Everywhere

Stop link redirection in Google, DuckDuckGo and Yandex search pages

Google search link fix

Control the HTTP Referer on a per-site basis

Referer Control

Prevent canvas fingerprint

Canvas Defender

Emule locally CDN

Decentraleyes

Prevent WebRTC IP leak

WebRTC Leak Prevent

Unblock websites with a browser VPN/proxy

Browsec
  • Download: store, amo
  • Alternatives: TouchVPN, HidemanVPN, TunnelloVPN, Hotspot Shield
  • My advice: Prefer to pay for a safe and secure VPN provider protecting your whole OS ; or use a free VPN service without registration.
  • My advice: Do not use Hola!, ZenMate or Betternet in their free version. Hola! is a botnet. Betternet shares/sells user data to third-parties. In its free version, ZenMate needs a registration.

Display sites quality

WOT (Web of Trust)
  • Download: store, amo
  • My advice: Do not share your data. (WOT settings → Real-time protection → Set to off)

7. Tools

8. Guides

9. Tests

Reputable and reliable sites to show or prevent user data tracking:

Malware

Your antivirus has detected a malicious software in Chromium files.

False positive?

You have downloaded Chromium from a reliable source (#notes) and maybe also used an open-source #updater. In this case, it is surely a false positive. The detection is generic (heuristic). There is absolutely no backdoor or other malware inside. Remember that the full #source-code is available. You will get a similar result if you compile Chromium yourself.

Note a specific thing to Chromium browser:
  1. Chromium has no digital signature (unlike Google Chrome).
  2. Antivirus use generic detection and database of malware signatures.
  3. VirusTotal which aggregates many antivirus is a Google service using its Trusted Source project to limit false positives for software like Google Chrome (because it is digitally signed), not for Chromium.
  4. So, unsigned Chromium + any antivirus or VirusTotal service = More chance to get an antivirus alert.

False positive reports known for few years ago:

Authentic malware?

Yes. Obviously, it is also possible.
  • The common entry methods for Chromium virus are freeware downloads as bundled software (bundleware) and spam e-mails. It means Chromium has been silently installed via another software. Do not forget Chromium is free and open-source. So malware writers use Chromium to push malicious code on to your system. Remove this "fake" Chromium version or suspicious web browser (like BeagleBrowser, BoBrowser, BrowserAir, Chedot, eFast Browser, Fusion Browser, Mustang Browser, MyBrowser, Olcinium Browser, Palikan, Qword Browser, Torch, Tortuga Browser...).
  • The other way is about a compromised Chromium repository on a reliable source (#notes).

Check files on your OS

Free tools to scan your system:
Free online services (without registration) to check your file:
If you find an issue:
  • Contact your anti-virus or anti-malware support
  • Report it on the official Chromium supports. For links, see my #comment-1 below.

Chromium updaters

To update Chromium automatically.

As always, never install a closed-source software especially if you have never heard it before! SearchCode, GitHub (and its Gist service) are good places to find good stuff. So, try these open-source Chromium updaters:

Updater on Windows

Updater on macOS

Updater on Android

Discontinued updaters


Thanks a lot for all developers!
I do not support these tools. Please, contact the developers for thanks, issue, help...

4099 comments

Quick access: #Read the latest comment

admin
Jerry.
7 Jul 2013, 05:52
Hello!
Now, you can post anonymously remarks and suggestions about this site. Do not hesitate! ;)

Please, DO NOT report bugs by a review. Use the official issue tracker or chromium-discuss/dev topics:
• https://bugs.chromium.org/p/chromium/issues/list
• https://groups.google.com/a/chromium.org/forum/#!forum/chromium-discuss
• https://groups.google.com/a/chromium.org/forum/#!forum/chromium-dev

Also, I prefer direct links. You are not on Twitter ;)

Thank you for your attention!
Reload this page to display older comments

30 latest comments

admin
Jerry.
4 Dec 2018, 15:32
@marmaduke: Noted. I will open an entry for your "ungoogled" version ASAP.

@RobRich: Like ever, thank you for the Widevine install info.

@Anon4066: Exactly. I updated the site. Thanks.

@VIRGO77: Please check your mailbox, I answered you in your language! ;)

@earthsound: Thank you for info. The site traffic is unlimited ^^

MS Edge will use the Chromium rendering engine (Blink) on Windows 10. I am not surprised. MS Edge currently uses Blink on Android ; and ANGLE on Windows. Also, other Microsoft products use Chromium parts: MS Visual Studio Code, Skype, Minecraft. Read the #project part for more info. Moreover, the Chromium source code has an official mirror on Github (a Microsoft hosting service since 2018): https://github.com/chromium/chromium

And finally, Microsoft is #1 in the number of people contributing to its open source initiatives on Github since 2016:
- https://octoverse.github.com/2017/ (Check "Projects with the most contributors")
- https://octoverse.github.com/2016/

In the next few years, you will see more Microsoft products using Chromium.
Anon4071
Anon4071.
4 Dec 2018, 19:49
Great experimental build, seems more stable than the normal builds. keep 'em coming
Charl Botha.
5 Dec 2018, 03:37
Homebrew cask for @marmaduke 's December 5, v71.0.3578.80 build have just been updated: https://github.com/cpbotha/homebrew-marmaduke-chromium
Aargl.
5 Dec 2018, 17:53
@Jerry: sorry for the delay (about API keys on Mac), I've been busy for several weeks... updating my OS! ;-) I'll try to post here my procedure involving LaunchAgents as soon as possible, it's pretty cool. :-)
Ciao!
Anon4074
Anon4074.
5 Dec 2018, 19:52
Anyone else having horrid frame drop with 1080p60 VP9 in fullscreen Youtube?

System is a Haswell CPU with HD4600. Is this in preparation for planned obsolescence for when this goes main into Chrome?

Tried disabling hardware raster, oop, oop-d (viz compositor)...
Starla.
6 Dec 2018, 04:13
Hi all,

Using 70.0.3538.110 (64-bit) Nik stable, going to update to latest 71.0.3578.80. Does 71 still require

--enable-features=AudioServiceSandbox

parameter?
WildByDesign.
7 Dec 2018, 15:26
@Starla, As far as I can tell in 70.0.3538.110, AudioServiceSandbox is already enabled by default now. That is sufficient now.

However, if you prefer to disable the out of process Audio Service in general and put it back into the main chrome.exe process which is currently still what official Google Chrome is doing, you can use: --disable-features=AudioServiceOutOfProcess
JCM.
7 Dec 2018, 17:29
What do you think of Slimjet?
https://www.slimjet.com
Aargl.
8 Dec 2018, 10:46
@Jerry: about API keys on Mac.
Here are two working procedures, tested by me with Marmaduke's Sync versions:

Method 1) with ChromiumSyncEnabler (https://github.com/ezeeyahoo/ChromiumSyncEnabler)
- put Chromium_template and ChromiumSyncEnabler.py at the root of the current user (~/)
- put Chromium.app in ~/Applications
- in Terminal, type: python /Users/your_user_name/ChromiumSyncEnabler.py
- enter your API keys
N.B.: if you want to activate for all users, do the same procedure putting the files respectively in / and /Applications (I haven't tried, but I can't see why it wouldn't work...)

Method 2) creation of a ~/Library/LaunchAgents/setenv.ChromiumSync.plist containing:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" " http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd ">
<plist version="1.0">
   <dict>
      <key>Label</key>
      <string>setenv.ChromiumSync</string>
      <key>ProgramArguments</key>
      <array>
         <string>/bin/launchctl</string>
         <string>setenv</string>
         <string>GOOGLE_API_KEY</string>
         <string>your_key</string>
         <string>/bin/launchctl</string>
         <string>setenv</string>
         <string>GOOGLE_DEFAULT_CLIENT_ID</string>
         <string>your_key</string>
         <string>/bin/launchctl</string>
         <string>setenv</string>
         <string>GOOGLE_DEFAULT_CLIENT_SECRET</string>
         <string>your_key</string>
      </array>
      <key>RunAtLoad</key>
      <true/>
      <key>ServiceIPC</key>
      <false/>
   </dict>
</plist>

(with your_key being the corresponding API key)

N.B.: I don't know if the ServiceIPC part is needed or not, but it works like that. :-)
Of course, you can name the LaunchAgent setenv.ChromiumSync or anything you want.
• This is perfectly working in 10.11.
• In 10.9, you must create 3 separate LaunchAgent files instead (one for each key).
• I couldn't test more recent OSes, but I think it should work as in 10.11.
The choice between method 1 or 2 depends on wether you want to enter your API keys each time or not... ;-)
Lukanz.
8 Dec 2018, 12:53
since the last 2 builds i get only a blank screen!
i replaced d3dcompiler_47.dll with the one from 70.0.3538.102 and the problem was solved...so i would like to know is there any other solutions or will the support for windows 7 be dropped?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Processor: Intel Core i5-540M
Graphics: Intel GMA HD Integrated Graphics
Operating System: Windows 7 Pro_SP1 (64bit)
admin
Jerry.
8 Dec 2018, 13:52
@Charl Botha: Thank you for your constant updates.

@Aargl: I updated the site with your great #google-api-keys tutorial on macOS.

@WildByDesign: Like ever, thank you for your great help! ;)

@JCM: You are on a site about a free and open-source browser. Slimjet like many other #chromium-forks are closed-source. So I can check the Chromium source code, add similar features to Slimjet and compile it for my own needs. My question: why should I use Slimjet, Google Chrome or other? ^^

@Lukanz: Thank you for your feedback but I do not know how to solve your issue. Did you test to disable chrome://flags/#disable-accelerated-video-decode just to see?

About the support for windows 7, it will be dropped in a few years (not before January 14, 2020 - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/13853/windows-lifecycle-fact-sheet). Personally, I think Chromium will be supported until 2021/2022 because many users and entreprises use this OS). Moreover, Microsoft is rebuilding its Edge browser on Chromium and bringing it to the Windows 7 and macOS (https://github.com/MicrosoftEdge/MSEdge). Note MS Edge and Google Chrome are the first browsers used in entreprise. Microsoft becomes very influential on the Chromium project, mainly for Windows. It is a good benefit for the open source community and users. All rendering engine of main browsers are now all open-source: Blink for Google Chrome, Vivaldi, Opera and MS Edge ; Webkit for Safari ; Servo for Firefox). For info, Firefox uses some stuff of Chromium too (#project).
Starla.
9 Dec 2018, 02:43
@WBD: thank you. I will use then the more restrictive alternative parameter disable OOP until I understand the advantages of this externalization strategy.
Lukanz.
9 Dec 2018, 04:26
maybe i described it wrong :)

i use portable chrome version from portableapps.com and replace the Chrome-bin folder with the one from chromium and with each update i do a clean install...and now starts the issue that since 70.0.3538.102 chromium starts (after a clean install) but i only get a blank site, so i replaced d3dcompiler_47.dll (10.0.17763.132) with (10.0.17134.12) and chromium open as usual and i checked the latest chrome build and they use d3dcompiler_47.dll (10.0.17134.12), so maybe thats the problem!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Processor: Intel Core i5-540M
Graphics: Intel GMA HD Integrated Graphics
Operating System: Windows 7 Pro_SP1 (64bit)
admin
Jerry.
9 Dec 2018, 06:50
@Lukanz: Thank you for your explanation. I understood you use https://portableapps.com/apps/internet/google_chrome_portable and replace the Chrome-bin folder with the one from chromium. Yes the versions of "d3dcompiler_47.dll" are different (https://i.imgur.com/Wa0i95R.png). Why do you do that finally? :) Why do not use directly a stable portable version of Chromium?
Lukanz.
9 Dec 2018, 13:14
This is how it look like..... https://i.imgur.com/zYv4nwT.png

There are 2 solutions:
1- install 71.0.3578.80 and replace the d3dcompiler_47.dll with the older one from 70.0.3538.102
2- in my case just stick with 70.0.3538.102 and report the problem and hope that it will be fixed :)

yes im using the portable apps chrome launcher because i added some extra line to it e.g:
##########################################
RMDir /r "$EXEDIR\Data\profile\Default\Cache"
RMDir /r "$EXEDIR\Data\profile\Default\GPUCache"
RMDir /r "$EXEDIR\Data\profile\Default\Media Cache"
RMDir /r "$APPDATA\Temp\*.*"
RMDir /r "$LOCALAPPDATA\Temp\*.*"
RMDir /r "$LOCALAPPDATA\Google"
########################################################
and after each exit it cleans up all left behinds!
marmaduke
10 Dec 2018, 05:51
Chromium for 64-bit Windows - Ungoogled - Monday, 10 December 2018

Chromium 71.0.3578.80 (Official Build) (64-bit)
Revision 2ac50e7249fbd55e6f517a28131605c9fb9fe897-refs/branch-heads/3578@{#860}
OS Windows

No Sync - WebRTC - Widevine - All Codecs

Standard build of Eloston's ungoogled-chromium. All patches applied, apart from "Safe Browser". Linking failed due to safe browsing being removed, so I decided not to remove any element of safe browsing.

I can actually get Ungoogled to build with the "Safe Browser" patch; but, Chromium fails to launch. I amended the Windows specific (Safe Browser) patch, but feel that the problem is with the generic patches.

Anyway, it's Eloston's build process that I like, and suggest that someone helps out and solves the Windows Safe Browser problem.

ungoogled-chromium-71.0.3578.80-1_windows.7z (7-Zip archive)
https://github.com/macchrome/winchrome/releases/download/v71.0.3578.80-r599034/ungoogled-chromium-71.0.3578.80-1_windows.7z
SHA1 EE4DB4459716B0AA95DF160EDC7E9AF438DC2359
Anon4086
Anon4086.
10 Dec 2018, 09:58
@Lukanz make sure your video drivers and Windows 7 are up to date. I'm running Chromium 72.0.3615.0 on Windows 7 and not seeing that problem.
Lukanz.
10 Dec 2018, 12:36
@Anon4086.

Chromium 72.0.3615.0 is using d3dcompiler_47.dll (v.10.0.17134.12), would you please try Chromium 71.0.3578.80 and see if its runs fine on your machine...thx !
admin
Jerry.
10 Dec 2018, 13:48
@nik & @RobRich: Big thank you for your updates! ;)

@marmaduke: Idem for you. Now, you can update your "ungoogled-chromium" info yourself. Make sure "win64" is present in the download URL like your other releases. You forgot it! ;)
Moreover, if you make a ZIP archive like others, I can make a portable version (using chrlauncher).

@Lukanz: Here, there is a "name" field in the comment form! ;) Chromium 71.0.3578.80 and 72.0.3615.0 work well (basic browsing) on Windows 10 Pro 1803. My videos: f/71.0.3578.80.mp4 (6 MB) - f/72.0.3615.0.mp4 (7 MB)
Anon4089
Anon4089.
10 Dec 2018, 23:29
Thank you marmaduke. Very kind of you.
Anon4090
Anon4090.
11 Dec 2018, 00:38
@Lukanz yes, it works fine. Screenshot: https://i.imgur.com/BHUmuWt.png
earthsound.
11 Dec 2018, 11:03
Jerry: You're one of the few in the world not surprised by that announcement, then (outside of, perhaps, some Google employees). ;)

As I mentioned, they've been embracing OSS more and more over the years, but I don't think anyone outside of Microsoft expected them to add a Chromium based engine (ANGLE is not the browser rendering engine) any time soon.

After more info was released from various people within MS, it looks like they aren't abandoning EdgeHTML, just going to add chromium renderer as another option on the desktop. I.e, apps can chose the WebView based on chromium (see Kyle Alden's (Edge Project Manager) comment on this reddit post: https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows10/comments/a3pt19/microsoft_edge_making_the_web_better_through_more/eb8rhe5/?context=8&depth=9)

Also, I think that stat you pointed out is misleading. Their vscode only has 768 contributors. Does that github number (15k) include contributors to forks of the project (8,721), as well? *shrug*
Lukanz.
11 Dec 2018, 14:59
@ Jerry & Anon4090

thx...yes the problem is at my end!

i uninstalled my graphic driver and tried ms standard driver and had no problem loading the latest version... that means its time to send my x201 to retirement!

to anyone with an old graphic card: a workaround for chrome or chromium showing a blank screen replace d3dcompiler_47.dll with version 10.0.17134.12
Anon4094
Anon4094.
11 Dec 2018, 15:54
why not use google chrome?
Anon4095
Anon4095.
11 Dec 2018, 20:58
@ Anon4094.

Because tin foil, thats why. People are so concerned about privacy on the internet, that they forget about the other more important thing....actual real life. My company develops facial and behavioral recognition tech for retail tracking and surveillance to improve consumer shopping experience. What good is that facial recognition lock, when I can just 3D print your face?
@Anon4095.
12 Dec 2018, 00:25
Internet privacy is a subset of "actual real life". Your company is only interested in making a profit... improving "consumer shopping experience" what rot!
Anon4097
Anon4097.
12 Dec 2018, 01:08
What you are failing to understand is that..before everyone jumped on the Google spying paranoia, and pre-Google, big box retailers have used similar analytics for their retail presence. With advancement in computing and digital photography, my company is contracted by these global conglomerates to increase their bottom line. My company solely exists because of the demand of such analytics. Where was GDPR for real life? Can I use "incognito mode" with "ublock origin" when I walk into Wal-Mart? Can I delete store surveillance of myself?
admin
Jerry.
12 Dec 2018, 04:50
@earthsound: I agree with you! EdgeHTML is not abandoned.

About the official stat from Github, it was at the beginning of 2017. :)

Like I said before, I am not surprised that Microsoft choose Chromium for Edge (https://github.com/MicrosoftEdge/MSEdge). Why? It is simple. I follow the Chromium #project from the start and Microsoft products for years. You know that a web browser is a complex and big project. For huge projects, more and more companies prefer to use open-source projects to build their own products. Few examples: Mozilla Firefox is fully open-source (which uses Chromium parts too). Apple uses Webkit for Safari. Google created and share Chromium. Adobe uses Chromium parts in their all products. Opera abandoned its Presto engine for Chromium in 2015. Microsoft uses Chromium (Electron framework) for its excellent Visual Studio Code. It is a great success. Idem about Skype and Minecraft launcher. Microsoft also is the owner of Xamarin, which maintains the SkiaSharp .net wrapper for Google's Skia library. Microsoft uses some of Google's projects when it suits them.

About this "Edge" history, the main goal of Microsoft is not just to replace EdgeHTML by Chromium. Basically, it's the logical evolution of their whole business. It is the opportunity for Microsoft to improve their products and to develop other ones on all platforms/OS (IA-32, x64, ARM, Windows, macOS...Linux?) for their consumers (enterprise) and "simple" users. Their market grow even bigger. The competition is tough.

@Lukanz: Good to read that! ;) Thank you for your help.

@Anon4094: I agree with the following comments about #privacy . As you see, you are on a site about a free and open-source browser. Google Chrome like many other #chromium-forks are closed-source. So I can check the Chromium source code, add or remove features and compile it for my own needs. For example: 32-bit Chromium exists on Linux ; Not Chrome. Chromium can exist without Chrome! ^^ My question: why should I use Google Chrome? ^^ Chrome is a Google product. Chromium is a project of the open source community. Sure Google is the creator of this project. Chromium, being a big project, needs a huge infrastructure. Google has got it and shares the source code of Chromium. It is good for both Google and us! ;)
Theresa "The Useless".
12 Dec 2018, 05:24
@Anon4097.

Look, don't patronise or under-estimate the intelligence of the average Western individual. We know that we are heavily surveilled, and that basically, the main function of market research is to encourage us to buy products that we do not need (on credit) and cannot afford.

Basically, who cares! Most people are quite satisfied to surrender freedom for a false sense of security.

At best, individuals can use "ad-blockers" to avoid/evade online "analytics". In the "real world", we have law enforcement that indulge in extra-judicial killings: aided by "commercial" analytics - IBM are pretty big in that field!

The Corporate Security Surveillance State existed long before Microsoft, Apple, Google, the advertising agencies, the UN, Nato, retail analytics, and the Stasi. In the West we call it Liberal Democracy, which is not particularly "liberal" or democratic: The Gilets Jaunes, Catalan pro-independence activists and so on.

A volley of rubber bullets, water cannon, stun guns, and incarceration awaits any individual who challenges the surveillance state.

Why attack people who just want to browse the net free from adverts for erectile dysfunction, mail order brides and so on; then to conflate the issue with the physio-demographics of the purchase of cheap plastic goods and low quailty food from Wal-Mart - and related questions of data-retention?

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