Google Chrome finally arrives in the Microsoft Store on Windows 10 ... sort of [Updated]

Updated December 19, 2017: Microsoft has now pulled Chrome Installer from the Microsoft Store.

Google has today launched its Chrome web browser in the Microsoft Store on Windows 10, allowing users to head to the Windows 10 app store and download Google's ever-popular Chrome browser ... well, sort of. It's true that you can now download Chrome via the Microsoft Store, but not directly as the app Google has submitted isn't actually a browser.

It appears Google has submitted a "Google Chrome Installer" (opens in new tab) to the Microsoft Store, which means what you're downloading from the Store is an installer that'll then proceed to download Google Chrome normally. This means the Chrome browser itself isn't a Microsoft Store app; it hasn't used the desktop bridge, it isn't a Centennial app, and will not be updated via the Microsoft Store either.

Why has Google done this? Likely to bypass Microsoft's limitations that conclude any browser on the Microsoft Store must use Microsoft's own rendering engine. Google Chrome doesn't use Microsoft's rendering engine, obviously, and as such isn't actually allowed on the Store. That, or Google was feeling particularly lazy and didn't want to go through the effort of running Chrome through the Centennial bridge.

Because Chrome still isn't technically in the Microsoft Store, this Google Chrome Installer doesn't work on Windows 10 S. It'll download, but when the Installer tries to install Chrome itself, the process will fail as the Chrome browser isn't coming from the Microsoft Store. So this begs the question; why is this in the Store if it isn't for Windows 10 S users?

It's likely in there because a few people might be looking for Google Chrome in the Microsoft Store, and up until now have been met with nothing but spam apps that somehow bypass Microsoft's approval system. Google putting an Installer in there gives Google an official home in the Microsoft Store for the few people who are looking in there for apps. This is only a good thing.

Of course, it would be better if Google had just put the actual Chrome browser in the Store, but either Microsoft or Google aren't allowing this to happen. Fact of the matter is; if Microsoft wants people to use the Store, it might be a good idea to have the proper Chrome browser available in there.

See Google Chrome Installer in the Microsoft Store (opens in new tab)

via Mehedi Hassan

Zac Bowden is a Senior Editor at Windows Central. Bringing you exclusive coverage into the world of Windows on PCs, tablets, phones, and more. Also an avid collector of rare Microsoft prototype devices! Keep in touch on Twitter: @zacbowden.

79 Comments

"Google chrome installer" sounds like one of those fake apps
Totally. It is, in some way.
What it really means is that people no longer have to use Edge to download Chrome. Edge use just plummeted. I admit that, as an Edge user.
I love the downvotes as much as I love using Edge. I just think it's hilarious (or sad) that people can't admit the truth. The truth is that there are more users who use Edge only to download Chrome, than there are using Edge every day like myself. I can admit the truth. Why can't you?
As fake as Google.
That store rating though
Should be a minus rating Imo as it most likely won't work on Windows 10 S devices lol. As it will try to install a Win32 application and fail miserably 🤣.
Laughed a lot when I saw that 1 star rating 😆
Only installer [Note to Windows 10 S users] Windows 10 S is incompatible with apps like Google Chrome. To use Google Chrome, upgrade for free (for a limited time) to Windows 10 Pro :D :D
will i guess they see it as a real threat now 🤯
Spend hours to install Google spyware? No thanks.
Hours? Are you still using a 300 baud modem?
In reference to the original comment about Windows 10 S users switching to Pro for a slow, crappy browser.
When on mobile 😅
Opera instead because it has built in ad blocker
Yeah though I kind of wished Opera would bring it's newer versions similar to that of Android
LOL
Smh wth Google... Things like this just keep fermenting my belief that google doesn't care about its users just about farming their data.
Google does not care about helping Microsoft. Why should they?
What should Google be doing instead? Microsoft is the one that's limiting things here.
Partnering with MS to build the best experience for their shared users. That'll never happen though.
That's always been the case with Google. Lucky for Google, their customers don't understand anything.
Google users know how to get Chrome, they don't need an App Store to guide them. And if you think Microsoft doesn't collect as much data as Google - specially on Windows 10 - then you're either deluded or in for a very rude awakening
Google = Scam with Chrome. period
Oh I know exactly what MS collects especially on Windows 10 anyone that has configured OMS and Windows Defender ATP knows that (even still they strip out all user relevant data before utilizing it for metrics) so im not naive about that. I'm saying as a corporate entity i believe MS cares more about their users than just what they can use their data for. Yes MS collects data but for use to fix their products and provide a better a user experience (like a lot of software companies do). They don't just collect data to sell for profit to other companies like Google does.
That browser, rendering-engine rule still exists?
yes it just a installer
@PeterFnet. Yes, same with ios and android (to a certain extent)
Not on Android.
@Bleached, step aside your bubble :).
oh so are you saying that on Android, there are tons of installers that redirect you to some other website to install a web browser???
.
And then getting people to download the APK file and run it with "allow unknown sources"???
.............. lmaoo
You people realize that this is against Windows 10S? I really don't get why MS is even allowing this. This is ridiculous. They let Google harm their own Store.
No, actually it backfires on Google. Google pushed the installer to the store so yeah...
Microsoft is using Chromes engine on android.
This qualifies as malware.
Chrome is malware in my opinion, every single desktop pc and laptop I have scanned that solely run chrome... Are filled to the brim with adware, viruses, trojans and worse case scenarios rootkits and worms. Pesky little digital blighters.
yea its chrome fault not the users fault Edge or another browser will not allow Virus and Malware to pass through
Your comment qualifies as stupidity.
I think Google's a little on the back foot here. Trying to catch up with Microsoft's Dominance, because normal end users know to download from google chrome from its website. Store search is rare by the normal user. May be statistics are not in favour of chrome.
Nevertheless chrome browser is overrated ! Firefox does a better job using less resources and edge is probably the finest choice for a normal user.
Microsoft’s Dominance in what? Browsers? Way behind Chrome, distant 3rd and 4th place on desktop, way distant 10th place on mobile.
If Google wanted to use the edge engine for Chrome, they could have but they won't as it will enable more extensions for Microsoft Edge. So it's Google once again, trying to be a spastic. As they went full retard with Microsoft's YouTube app thus rendering a awesome app into a webwrapper. Heck they even invalidated Microsoft developer key for Microsoft's YouTube app. Think about that... Google preventing users to use their services through a third party app with nonsensical rules that they never levied on other developers. So TLDR Google is at fault here not Microsoft.
Google HATES Microsoft, this will never change...it is a war, they have become the First Order trying to erase the old Empire 😅
And, you wish for Google to succeed?
wait... we need to choose between the First Order and the Empire? Who represents the Rebellion and/or Resistance?
Linux.
Firefox is better. Why do people use Chrome, really.
In my case, dumb@ss services like Directv Now only works on chrome. It's the only reason chrome is installed on my desktop. My preference is Edge then Firefox.
I don't understand how can a company limit itself in writing for a platform instead for the whole web. HTML 5 is pretty advanced and most web browsers have compatibility with it.
Just implement a software restriction ploicy that blocks execution of anythng of Google origin for your own safety.
App locker to the rescue!!! Lol
It's just to gain a few extra users most likely. I don't see them using Microsoft's rendering engine anytime soon if ever. But Chrome does have something Edge does not. It is able to auot update itself. That's exactly what Edge should look for short term and get in the store for the long term. I'm surprised they haven't achieved this yet.
If you want to update Edge, you have to update the OS. It's still automatically updated tho.🤣
I think they are working on it there have been talks about them piping edge through the store so it can be updated separately from the OS similar to the Xbox, alarm, and calculator apps.
You mean take edge out of windows os update tree.
It does not have to use edge engine to be allowed in the store... As long as it is an pure modern app, not a win32 bridged one.
I think it's a rule imposed by Microsoft for security or whatever, just like Google only allows browsers that use chrome engine
I remember reading it in the news, it's for security reason. But Google's no no-body, maybe they can struck a deal with MS... who knows. * Same with 3rd party virtual keyboard. To prevent key logger. Google did the same with their Android I think, for security reasons, only webview is allowed.
Woohooo... How good of our google overlords 😁 Everybody should throw a party just for this 😂
I wouldn't joke about that, Google has released a AI that analyses your Genome (DNA) and there are applications out there that can use this data and create a digital persona of you and have your vocal patterns (due to genome data) so they can create actual videos of you talking and saying something some one else is saying and they can animate your digital persona as through image caputure (similiarily how films and games are made). So in essence they can steal your life and identity, worst case scenario? Yes, but it is still a possibility. Heck people are actually creating animals in artificial wombs now... what would happen if they get hold of your Genome data, your social media data, your behavioural patterns? People may say I'm paranoid, no I'm not I'm just stating potential outcomes and what could happen if data is used maliciously. As all data is neutral, it's the context and intent that defines it.
So there could be a carbon copy of me running around somewhere? God help us all!!! :p
Vocal patterns don't come from genome data ... neither does accent.
@Nik Rolls. To a certain extent it is possible, If an individual was in an environment where everyone spoke the same language. There are countless other variables but you can actually extrapolate and create someone vocals patterns based on genomic data if you had genomic data from your parents and their parents again, then cross correlated against the vocal variances in the region. This works only If an individual lived in an environment where vocal variances are fairly small. Of course it's a digital projection based on data interpretation but still it is possible as you can get pretty close to person's actual voice. So in the simplest sense, yes but in the technical sense - somewhat of a yes. It's just easier to use someones recorded speech, so that is what happens generally.
I think this is just an attempt from Google to make Windows 10 S users realise how the OS is limited nowadays. In fact is like telling you "chrome is there but not on 10S" instead of totally disappear.
At the same time == safer than *.exe.
No registry tampering, clean install, clean uninstall. If you are an indie or startup, why should people trust your no-name *.exe?
Do you want to write your own installer, updater, uninstaller, crack-proof? Do your advertisement like what enterprises do?
And MS can drag you outta store if you violate the rules e.g. collect what you shouldn't or found a way to break security and install malware on user's system.
HAHA! that 1 star. they should focus on open support for other platforms more in every way instead of limiting and pushing people to chrome.
People who want to use Chrome know where to get it right? Well... at least it's quicker getting it this way. tbh, I'd prefer Portable version tho. Don't want installer & auto-update + I don't want to re-do settings after changing PC.
I wonder how many 1-star ratings it's going to take...
"Google Chrome finally arrives in the Microsoft Store on Windows 10 ... sort of" That title is not correct, That is no Google Chrome, what is in posted on the store is a Google Scam and your Title Clickbait it. You detailed this this in this paragraph which is very true and not different from how edge is contructed on Android platform using Google's engine or how chrome and Edge were done on iOS both using Apple's defacto browser shells. " Why has Google done this? Likely to bypass Microsoft's limitations that conclude any browser on the Microsoft Store must use Microsoft's own rendering engine. Google Chrome doesn't use Microsoft's rendering engine, obviously, and as such isn't actually allowed on the Store. That, or Google was feeling particularly lazy and didn't want to go through the effort of running Chrome through the Centennial bridge. " But, you followed that parapgraph with LOADS of excuses for Google, that just sucks. " Because Chrome still isn't technically in the Microsoft Store, this Google Chrome Installer doesn't work on Windows 10 S. It'll download, but when the Installer tries to install Chrome itself, the process will fail as the Chrome browser isn't coming from the Microsoft Store. So this begs the question; why is this in the Store if it isn't for Windows 10 S users? It's likely in there because a few people might be looking for Google Chrome in the Microsoft Store, and up until now have been met with nothing but spam apps that somehow bypass Microsoft's approval system. Google putting an Installer in there gives Google an official home in the Microsoft Store for the few people who are looking in there for apps. This is only a good thing. Of course, it would be better if Google had just put the actual Chrome browser in the Store, but either Microsoft or Google aren't allowing this to happen. Fact of the matter is; if Microsoft wants people to use the Store, it might be a good idea to have the proper Chrome browser available in there" It is Google that is bent on making WIndows App Store irrelevant, All they had to do is write the freaking chrome browser app App for pete sake.
That Microsoft even wants - let alone desperately NEEDS Chrome in its App Store - says volumes about how far Microsoft has fallen. 10 years ago, this would have been unthinkable. Internet Explorer was king, and that was that. Today, IE is a distant 3rd place behind Chrome and Firefox on desktop. Edge is a more distant 4th place. On mobile, the situation is even more grim, with Edge in 10th place. How sad - and ironic - that Microsoft, once the king of PC software, is reduced to begging others to put their software into the MS store. Still waiting on iTunes.
I wonder why Microsoft allows an app in the store, which essentially fails for all Windows 10 S users?
I am glad you asked. read this "https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-google-chrome-installer-microso... That stupid scam app by Google pulled.
Honestly Google has no incentive to put Chrome in the Windows Store, even if Microsoft allowed them to use their own rendering engine. Windows 10S is not exactly taking the world by storm and everybody else can just download Chrome from another browser.
Google Chrome Installer? Wouldn't it be easier to just call the app Microsoft Edge?
Lol, nice.
Microsoft already removed that malware from store.
Google... you are the bane of the internet imo. I this was about productivity and the consumer, it would be about the service. One thing that Microsoft is good at is sharing it's services. Look at the multiplatform Edge. It doesn't use Edge's rendering system, but it still allows MS fans who like Edge to still have the experience anywhere they are, even if it's on a competing platform. This is something Google should adopt in their position of being the universal search engine for like 75% of the internet. I can see having exclusive here and there, just say you get the best web experience with the actual browser or a Chromebook or Android, but here you can still access your bookmarks and passwords using an Edge extension or a web browser that looks like Chrome but uses Edge in the background. If they weren't the majority of the internet, I would think this would be fine, but they're almost universal for most, and this just hurts those who choose to use Windows (particularly the ones who use S).
Hey folks, what do you know. That fake scam like app by Gooogle yanked off the store by Microsoft. "https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-google-chrome-installer-microso...
Microsoft pulled it from the store already
lol

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