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

Advertisement

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 https://www.askvg.com in IE but want to use Google Chrome’s rendering engine, you’ll need to enter following URL:

Advertisement

cf:https://www.askvg.com

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

Google_Chrome_Frame_for_IE.png

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 Start Menu searchbox and press Enter. It’ll open Registry Editor.

2. Now go to:

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:

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 go to “Tools -> Manage Add-ons“, select “ChromeFrame BHO” and click on “Disable” button.

Disable_Google_Chrome_Frame_in_IE.png

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 for this info…

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

1. Again open regedit and go to 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

Published in: Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Troubleshooting Guides

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. I have tried everything to get Chrome Frame working but it doesnt seem to do anything. I used the prefix method but all I get is “ieframe.dll” and the site just sits there “thinking”

    I have also tried chanding the metatag information in the index.php file (for Joomla templates) andf it doesnt make a difference. I also used a Joomla extension which supposedly puts the corrects metatag information into the necessary html files…still nothing.

    And yes CF is installed.

    ughhh…why cant we just kill IE and get on with the web being what it is supposed to be??

  2. Hi,

    I want to use Chrome add on in IE. However when i see the support of chrome framework is not available. So can anyone tell if there is a way where i can use chrome add-on in IE. I dont have access to use chrome.

  3. The application is no longer supported by Google or available for download. Is there any other way to accomplish this or a new app perhaps? Explorer still does this and it’s really annoying.

    Thanks,
    Ryan

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

NOTE: Your comment may not appear immediately. It'll become visible once we approve it.