Chromium browser main logo

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 (installer, archive, portable). In addition, if you have an old CPU without SSE2 support, version 34 is the last one (portable, build before 253860).

1. Chromium for 64-bit Windows

Reference: Google Chrome 70.0.3538.102 (587811) • Friday, 9 Nov 2018

Nikwidevineall-codecssyncwin64

Installer • Archive • Portable • Package
70.0.3538.102 (587811) • Saturday, 10 Nov 2018
Info:
  • The Portable version uses the free and open-source chrlauncher to install, update and launch Chromium.
  • The Package version uses the free and open-source Chocolatey to install, update and launch Chromium.
  • sha1: ad45f37ffef81e93d9710ada6063b4a89e7fadde - chromium-sync.exe
  • sha1: 9cb633442c9b1c00201dffd6bd49c8aa9429a38a - chromium-sync.zip
  • List of changes
  • #source-code: follow the Nik guide
  • Source: Github repository

RobRichthinLTOmodifiedno-syncwin64

Installer • Archive • Portable
72.0.3612.0 (608640) • Thursday, 15 Nov 2018
Info:
  • The Portable version uses the free and open-source chrlauncher to install, update and launch Chromium.
  • sha1: 0e39a4982fd48084f70d728455de39359f432020 - mini_installer.exe
  • sha1: b1a36d2d2ce8421dc5a53996f660ae49839f15e3 - chrome.zip
  • Previous versions (win64)
  • #source-code
  • Source: Github repository

Nikall-codecssyncwin64

Installer • Archive • Portable
71.0.3576.0 (597978) • Wednesday, 10 Oct 2018
Info:
  • The Portable version uses the free and open-source chrlauncher to install, update and launch Chromium.
  • sha1: 5742a9455a26a88b4a36badba1148602adaeed8b - chromium-sync.exe
  • sha1: c851cdb64484dd76a6b50f7d821d5044e28244b2 - chromium-sync.zip
  • Previous versions (win64)
  • #source-code: follow the Nik guide
  • Source: Github repository

Marmadukeall-codecsno-webrtcno-syncwin64

Archive
72.0.3582.0 (599622) • Tuesday, 16 Oct 2018
Info:

ThumbAppsno-syncwin64

Portable
71.0.3567.0 • Monday, 1 Oct 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
72.0.3615.0 (609145) • Sunday, 18 Nov 2018
Info

2. Chromium for 32-bit Windows

Reference: Google Chrome 70.0.3538.102 (587811) • Friday, 9 Nov 2018

Nikwidevineall-codecssyncwin32

Installer • Archive • Portable • Package
70.0.3538.102 (587811) • Saturday, 10 Nov 2018
Info:
  • The Portable version uses the free and open-source chrlauncher to install, update and launch Chromium.
  • The Package version uses the free and open-source Chocolatey to install, update and launch Chromium.
  • sha1: 6f2c3274008481df61cd16db79598cc301e8a9aa - chromium-sync.exe
  • sha1: a7c173df36e7ee69a8d9cebd7e40e0fc8cee558f - chromium-sync.zip
  • List of changes
  • #source-code: follow the Nik guide
  • Source: Github repository

RobRichthinLTOmodifiedno-syncwin32

Installer • Archive • Portable
72.0.3612.0 (608640) • Friday, 16 Nov 2018
Info:
  • The Portable version uses the free and open-source chrlauncher to install, update and launch Chromium.
  • sha1: cb1b52fa3f3e9a7fa52d41b4d8081bdedf43bea8 - mini_installer.exe
  • sha1: c8c8ee3f78c64bb05d05f89501c69ee6f71c31be - chrome.zip
  • Previous versions (win32)
  • #source-code
  • Source: Github repository

Nikall-codecssyncwin32

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

ThumbAppsno-syncwin32

Portable
71.0.3567.0 • Monday, 1 Oct 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
72.0.3615.0 (609144) • Sunday, 18 Nov 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

1. Chromium for 64-bit macOS

Reference: Google Chrome 70.0.3538.102 (587811) • Friday, 9 Nov 2018

FreeSMUGno-syncmac

Installer
70.0.3538.102 (587811) • Saturday, 10 Nov 2018
How to update it?
Chromium Updater Extension is included in the .dmg file. (Archive: ZIP)

Info:

Marmadukewidevineall-codecssyncmac

Archive
70.0.3538.102 (587811) • Monday, 12 Nov 2018
Info:

Marmadukeall-codecsno-webrtcno-syncmac

Archive
70.0.3538.102 (587811) • Monday, 12 Nov 2018
Info:

Marmadukeall-codecssyncmac

Archive
72.0.3580.0 (599499) • Saturday, 13 Oct 2018
Feedback appreciated - if demand will update once a month. Do no hesitate to write #comments ;)

Info:

Marmadukeall-codecsno-webrtcno-syncmac

Archive
72.0.3580.0 (599499) • Saturday, 13 Oct 2018
Feedback appreciated - if demand will update once a month. Do no hesitate to write #comments ;)

Info:

The Chromium Authorsno-syncmac

Archive
72.0.3615.0 (609141) • Sunday, 18 Nov 2018
Info

2. 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 70.0.3538.102 (587811) • Friday, 9 Nov 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

Reference: Google Chrome 70.0.3538.102 (587811) • Friday, 9 Nov 2018

bsd

FreeBSD

Available in the official repository
Info:

bsd

OpenBSD

Available in the official repository
Info:

Android

Reference: Google Chrome 70.0.3538.80 (587811) • Monday, 29 Oct 2018

There is no stable Chromium version for Android: chromium::google.play

The Chromium Authorsno-syncandroid

Archive
72.0.3615.0 • (609144) • Sunday, 18 Nov 2018
This ZIP archive contains 2 packages:
Info:

iOS

Reference: Google Chrome 70.0.3538.75 • Tuesday, 23 Oct 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 DEV builds (also known as "Snapshot", "Nightly" or "Raw" builds).
  • This site gives to users a choice of builds: DEV (also on its simplest download page), stable and portable builds.

All downloads are from reliable sources only:

1. Project

Chromium exists since 2008. It is the free and open-source project (#features) behind the famous Google Chrome browser. Intrinsically, Chromium is a Google project maintained by many authors (developers, engineers, graphic designers, security researchers...) from Google, Cloudflare, Facebook, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, 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:
  • Blink (a rendering engine)
  • Sandbox (a security mechanism for separating running programs)
  • V8 (a JavaScript engine)
  • ANGLE (a graphics engine abstraction layer)
  • Skia (a graphics library)
  • and other...

There are many advantages to work on an open-source project. (archive: 1)

These projects are used in Chromium browser and other software like Google Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Vivaldi, Microsoft Edge, Skype, Spotify, Steam, Minecraft, WhatsApp, Twitch, Android WebView, Microsoft Visual Studio Code, Electron, CEF... For example, on Windows, Firefox uses some stuff of Chromium (Sandbox, ANGLE, Skia, Google Safe browsing). Microsoft Edge uses ANGLE.

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 70.0.3538.102. In this version, there are 102 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 (70.0.3538.102) 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

On #mac and #linux: Plop these in your ~/.profile file:
export GOOGLE_API_KEY="yourkey"
export GOOGLE_DEFAULT_CLIENT_ID="yourclientid"
export GOOGLE_DEFAULT_CLIENT_SECRET="yourclientsecret"

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"

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="31.0.0.148" --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=31.0.0.148& 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. User data directory

About your bookmarks, profile... it is important to know where is stored your user data.

4. 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

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 or Firefox. 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. With versioning tools like SVN or Git, it is easier for developers to find malicious code (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 (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. There a lot of technologies to get user data. Read the #guides for more info. However, you can protect your privacy against tracking and profiling tools. These tools are everywhere today. You can find them in firmware (hardware), software, app, extensions and websites.

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 your 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...

4016 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

RobRich
11 Nov 2018, 22:43
@Jerry Thanks for the feedback. It is not a portable build. It will use the profile of an existing Chromium install, or create a new one in the usual Windows user profile directory structure if needed.

If the V8 snapshot issue can be resolved, it should be even faster. Plus toss in a better profile set and some of compiler optimizations as applicable.
Charl P. Botha
11 Nov 2018, 23:57
Dear Marmaduke,

The macOS sync build of 70.0.3538.102 seems to be broken at the moment. I did double-check the SHA1. When I unzip and try to start, I get this error message: "Chromium is damaged and can't be opened. You should move it to the Trash."

The current stable nosync version does work, but it has difficulty logging in to google services.
Anon3989
Anon3989
12 Nov 2018, 01:31
@Jerry @RobRich
Must be just me then. Proof-of-concept build is sluggish. Opening incognito window you can visually see the lag.
Running benchmarks show significant performance hits.
marmaduke
12 Nov 2018, 05:39
@Charl P. Botha

The no sync versions works as designed!

Try this:

Chromium for 64-bit macOS - All Codecs - Saturday, 10 November 2018

Chromium 70.0.3538.102 (Official Build) (64-bit)
Revision 4bbeebac88fdc09c97265e47c205868bbd190497-refs/branch-heads/3538@{#1077}
OS Mac OS X

- ThinLTO and CFI
- SDK 10.14
- Xcode 10.1 (10B61)
- macOS Mojave 10.14.1 (18B75)
- LLVM/Clang 346586

Sync • WebRTC • Widevine
https://github.com/macchrome/macstable/releases/download/v70.0.3538.102-r587811-macOS/Chromium.70.0.3538.102.rev1.sync.app.zip
Chromium.70.0.3538.102.rev1.sync.app.zip

SHA1 D18A35BD281BCC6F06500D9F698BAD0ADD819BBC
Anon3991
Anon3991
12 Nov 2018, 09:42
@Anon3989, you're not alone, it feels sluggish here too
RobRich
12 Nov 2018, 10:03
It is a PoC build demonstrating working ThinLTO+PGO support. Performance is entirely secondary for now. ;)

A big part of the performance issue is the lack of V8 snapshot support. That, plus the lack of my usual compiler optimizations.

That said, I am actually showing local gains in a few benchmarks. Until the V8 snapshot issue is resolved, I might try doing partial PGO on certain other components besides V8.

I dropped project devs a line about the V8 issue, though, so let's see what happens there in the meantime.
admin
Jerry
12 Nov 2018, 12:31
@RobRich: Hi the "experimenter"! Thanks for all. ;)

@marmaduke: Thank you too! ;) I updated your comment.

@Evan: For fun, I quickly made a dynamic page to show the correspondence-between-command-line-switches-and-flags-in-chromium/
Anon3994
Anon3994
12 Nov 2018, 14:52
The grainy thumbnail issue exists even on the official dev release of v72. Very quirky.
scorpiogreen
12 Nov 2018, 21:14
So why have the explanations on this site been removed?

I don't know which 32-bit PortableApps version to download anymore
RobRich
12 Nov 2018, 23:05
Click the little sideways arrow under the builds, and the details will appear in a drop down. :)
You can also try the following link: ?box=1
admin
Jerry
13 Nov 2018, 01:11
@scorpiogreen: I improved the site for our eyes because there are more and more info. Nothing is removed. I created toogle boxes to show/hide details (like RobRich said before) and changed colors:
- green: third-party stable builds
- blue: third-party dev builds
- orange: official dev builds

About 32-bit PortableApps version, there is only the #windows-32-bit-thumbapps no-sync version on this site.

But you can find other PortableApps versions on the web. Note, they are often outdated:
- https://www.thumbapps.org/2016/10/Chromium-portable-32-64-bit-dev-nik-build-pgo-optimized-all-codecs-Widevine-sync-WebRTC.html (sync version)
- https://sourceforge.net/projects/winpenpack/files/X-Chromium/releases/ (no-sync version. 32-bit???)
Anon3999
Anon3999
13 Nov 2018, 05:24
Hi. Your site with dark mode would be dope
Anon4000
Anon4000
13 Nov 2018, 06:19
@Anon3999: Use the "Dark Reader" extension available on Chrome and Firefox.
Georges
13 Nov 2018, 09:41
The installer chromium-sync.exe has been blocked by F-Secure on my pc (W10 pro). The alert message says "Suspicious: W32/Malware"; I stop there and give up the installation of Chromium until I get reliable information on the safety of the installer.
Georges
France
admin
Jerry
13 Nov 2018, 10:17
@Georges: Please read the #malware section. You will see that is a recurrent problem of antivirus with unsigned executables like the Chromium installer. This is "Suspicious: W32/Malware" because: 1) Chromium installer is unsigned. 2) It is an heuristic detection of your antivirus. This installer is a 7-zip archive file. So unzip it and check its content with your antivirus. There will be no antivirus alert.

To help you, I sent all "chromium-sync.exe" to VirusTotal. See the results:
- nik stable win64: https://www.virustotal.com/#/file/4d2b31ee7c1c9f3227d327ee6c45b92051e46a3cdef15a649a686f07cdfa9acc/detection
- nik dev win64: https://www.virustotal.com/#/file/77c5288a0c4217698ed712e2dd8166580fe6086ff76909d06fa1961d0f274990/detection
- nik stable win32: https://www.virustotal.com/#/file/5d5e290c4b963104390abdc8680cd424dea7aecff17be7593b37f227b50bf0e8/detection
- nik dev win32: https://www.virustotal.com/#/file/599d39f5649d06783cee18ed0a383937672a4f6fd881c07305165c3b61937478/detection
Anon4003
Anon4003
15 Nov 2018, 00:02
Why isn't there a fork of chromium on android where we could add extensions? Is it not possible to do so?
scorpiogreen
15 Nov 2018, 03:34
RobRich and Jerry, THANKS
earthsound
15 Nov 2018, 15:07
nik: are you still working on the 64-bit dev build w/ sync and all codecs? TIA
RobRich
15 Nov 2018, 23:10
About the lack of ThinLTO builds in recent days, I am waiting on a V8 change to roll into Chromium. Otherwise, I might have locally pull in the code myself.

Right now V8 embedded builtins are broken with Windows ThinLTO builds due to how snapshot assembly is being handled. It is the same issue I hit with the recent ThinLTO+PGO build.

I pulled the V8 project separately and successfully built it with ThinLTO after the following commit to to use plain assembly instead of inline assembly.

https://chromium.googlesource.com/v8/v8/+/bd8ed720cfa0533e4732490f5240380e234e469e

-------------------------

I got tired of waiting for an updated V8 roll. I remapped my local Chromium project's V8 to a separate local updated V8 project repository. ThinLTO is back working as expected. :)

Now to the Win64 ThinLTO r608640 build, which should go public in a few minutes.

LLVM is largely stock. Basically just disabled duplicate symbol checking. Default pass manager passes, default LTO function import limits, etc. Wanted a get a working Chromium build done ASAP without possible extraneous breakage in the mix.

As for LLVM options to build Chromium, I have enable the new pass mananager, newgvn, hot/cold splitting, etc. Quick benchmarks look okay. Even some improvements in Octane 2, MotionMark, and SunSpider.

I will get a 32-bit build cooking to hopefully push over the weekend.
Anon4007
Anon4007
16 Nov 2018, 00:27
You're a legend RobRich!!
btw on the experimental front, you still planning on playing around with the additional instructions? or is that being shelved?
RobRich
16 Nov 2018, 02:36
Enabling newer SIMD support natively for the compiler across the whole codebase *might* have some benefits with the latest LLVM work on vector load narrowing, vector widening for type legalization, and similar.

I probably will revisit it with a future FullLTO+Polly build.
JC Denton
16 Nov 2018, 08:48
I want to give a huge thanks to those who are packaging and providing these updated stable builds of Chromium. While I do plan to switch to Pale Moon soon due to personal preference, I am really happy that there is a viable open-source alternate to the Google-branded version of Chrome.

I'd like to request if someone can work together with other devs to make an open-source optimized stability-focused fork of Chromium that ignores/removes Google-specific crap they throw in while preserving the benefits of Webkit. I personally lack the knowledge to do so (though I'm trying to learn!) and wanted to see if any interest is there for this type of thing.

Just looking through Chromium flags you see all the junk they shove in to bloat the code for no discernible end-user benefit. So much bloat :(
RobRich
16 Nov 2018, 10:14
@Jerry You can add the ThinLTO tag back to my Win32 r608640 build. :)
admin
Jerry
16 Nov 2018, 12:38
@RobRich: Done dear Master! :)

JC Denton: Thank you very much. Try ungoogled-chromium or iridium. Note on Windows, there are often outdated.
- https://github.com/Eloston/ungoogled-chromium
- https://github.com/iridium-browser/iridium-browser
olle
16 Nov 2018, 19:12
@RobRich: With your latest Chromium build, I experience again bug with lets browser crash when deleting cache. I jump back to previous build again.
RobRich
17 Nov 2018, 12:45
@olle It is working here, at least as tested on my Win64 build. Thinking of possibilities, do you have the simple cache flag at default?

chrome://flags/#enable-simple-cache-backend
olle
17 Nov 2018, 13:04
Hi, I just looked... "simple cache for http" is at default. Thanks for your help :)
RobRich
17 Nov 2018, 22:49
Not sure then, unless it is something external to Chromium like a directory permission issue.
olle
18 Nov 2018, 01:27
Its strange... I uninstalled new version to replace it with previous version. Bug is gone... then I uninstall previous version to replace it with new version and bug comes back. I just stick to previous version and wait for your next release :)

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