Force Microsoft Internet Explorer to Always Use Google Chrome Frame to Open URLs

Recently Google released a plug-in for Internet Explorer which allows users to enjoy Google Chrome's rendering engine inside IE. That means you can enjoy Google Chrome's faster browsing speed, open web technologies like HTML5, etc in Internet Explorer.

This plug-in is called "Google Chrome Frame" and can be downloaded using following link:

Download Google Chrome Frame for IE

It supports all IE versions including IE6 and can be installed in Windows XP and later.

The only problem in using this plug-in is, the webpage should contain a pre-defined meta tag so that Google Chrome Frame can detect it and allow IE to use its rendering engine. The meta tag is as following:

<meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="chrome=1">

But not every site is using this particular meta tag atm, so you can't enjoy Google Chrome Frame for each and every site.

But no need to worry. Here is a simple solution.

Force IE to use Google Chrome Frame if the Site doesn't carry meta tag:

You just need to add a prefix cf: in the site URL and it'll force IE to use Google Chrome's rendering engine to open that URL.

For example, if you want to open http://www.askvg.com in IE but want to use Google Chrome's rendering engine, you'll need to enter following URL:

cf:http://www.askvg.com

It'll force IE to use Google Chrome's rendering engine:

As you can see, if we right-click in the webpage, we can notice clearly that IE is using Google Chrome Frame.

Now if you don't want to add the prefix cf: each time you open a webpage, here is another solution!

Force IE to use Google Chrome Frame without need of cf: Prefix:

You'll need to edit Registry and add a new key which will force IE to open all URLs using Google Chrome's rendering engine without adding any prefix.

1. Type regedit in RUN or Startmenu searchbox and press Enter. It'll open Registry Editor.

2. Now goto:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Google\ChromeFrame

3. Under this key, create a new key OptInUrls. In right-side pane, create a new String value and set its name to *

That's it. If you want a ready-made registry script to do the task automatically, download following ZIP file, extract it and run "Force Internet Explorer to Always Use Google Chrome Frame.reg" file:

Download Registry Script

It'll add the required registry key and you'll be able to enjoy Google Chrome inside IE without any hassle.

The ZIP file also contains an uninstallation script to restore default settings.

You can also disable Google Chrome Frame plug-in in IE to restore default settings. Just goto "Tools -> Manage Add-ons", select "ChromeFrame BHO" and click on "Disable" button.

Restart IE and it'll stop using Google Chrome Frame.

So now you can use Google Chrome inside IE by installing "Google Chrome Frame" plug-in and the registry script mentioned above.

Thanks to "Amit" @ Digital Inspiration for this info...

NOTE: If you face any problem while using this method, try following:

1. Again open regedit and goto following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Google\ChromeFrame

2. In right-side pane create following DWORD values:

UseChromeNetworking
HandleTopLevelRequests

And set their values to 0

Complete list of AskVG articles

This article was posted in Browsers, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Troubleshooting.

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18 Comments

link6155

AWESOME!
Olli

Warning: this addon makes internet explorer EVEN unsecure!!! I read information from some news site.
dvy

I direct use chrome dev 4.0.219.0 in my every day browser.IE8 is retired.
dvy

I direct use chrome dev 4.0.219.0 in my every day browser.IE8 is retired.
OH! You're my new favorite blogger fyi
Bobby Phoenix

The "warning" Microsoft is preaching is that Google's Chrome browser by default is less secure than Internet Explorer, so they are telling people not to use the plug in for that reason. If you use Google Chrome for a browser already then switch to IE because of this plug in you are no less secure. ONLY if you used IE by default, and no other browser, then install the plug in will you have "some" security degraded.
Klaus

The information gigoloogle 'do no evil' corporation showing its fangs!

OPEN SOURCE SEARCH ENGINE NOW!
KM

Is it actually faster??
SCBright

I can't see any difference at performance and the worst part is: I loose all my accelerators with this plugin.
SCBright

I can't see any difference at performance and the worst part is: I loose all my accelerators with this plugin.
SCBright

I can't see any difference at performance and the worst part is: I loose all my accelerators with this plugin.