What are CRX files?

Most CRX files are downloaded through the Chrome Web Store, but since you can create your own Chrome extensions and install them offline, the file can originate elsewhere.

What are CRX files? Picture 1

Instead, some files using this extension may be Links Games Course files or program files used by Autodesk's DWG TrueView program.

How to open CRX files

Chrome extension files are used by the Google Chrome web browser. They are usually downloaded through the Google website.

Once installed, they are stored here by default:

Installing unofficial extensions (i.e. CRX files you downloaded outside of the Chrome Web Store), requires a separate set of instructions: Go to chrome://extensions in the URL bar in Chrome , enable Developer mode, then drag the file into the window and confirm any prompts.

What are CRX files? Picture 2

The Opera web browser can also use this file format, but only if Install Chrome Extensions is installed. Vivaldi and Edge browsers also support this format.

Since a CRX file is like a renamed ZIP file, an archive/compression program, like PeaZip or 7-Zip (both free), should be able to open the file. If that doesn't work, use the CRX Extractor website to save the extension as a ZIP file.

However, doing this will only allow you to see the data that makes up the extension, but not actually run the program.

Autodesk DWG TrueView also uses CRX files, but the purpose of these files is unclear. Most likely the program cannot open files through the menu, so they may only be used automatically by some components of the software and are not intended to be opened manually.

Tip : If you find that an application on your PC tries to open a file but it's the wrong application or you want another installed program to open the file, see our guide on how to change default Windows applications. TipsMake to make that change.

How to convert CRX files

XPI (Firefox) and SAFARIEXTZ (Safari) files are similar to CRX files in that they are file extensions used in those respective browsers. However, these formats, regardless of the same purpose (to extend functionality), cannot be easily converted to or from other formats.

The one exception, however, is that Chrome extensions can be installed in the Opera browser using the previously mentioned tool. This means you can install Chrome extensions from the Chrome Web Store inside Opera without having to deal with the conversion.

You can also convert Opera extensions into Chrome extensions by renaming Opera's .NEX file to Chrome's .CRX file. This new file must be installed manually into Chrome using the drag and drop technique explained above.

There is no reason to look for a Chrome to Edge extension converter as CRX files can also be installed in Edge by default and there is no separate tool.

Keep in mind what you read above about ZIP files. CRX Extractor is a great way to convert a file to a ZIP file, but you might also have luck by renaming the file extension to .ZIP and opening it with a file compression/decompression program.

If you're looking to convert your CRX file to an EXE for some sort of automated installation, your best bet is to try compiling it with an installer like Inno Setup.

Isabella Humphrey

Update 27 June 2023