Synthetic Recorder Extension blocked in incognito mode when ExtensionInstallForcelist is used

[ShahbazKhan]

• Problem
• Root Cause
• Solution

 

Problem

While trying to record a new Synthetic monitor using the Dynatrace Synthetic Recorder, either by clicking record again, for an existing monitor, or record clickpath, for a new monitor, the Incognito, or InPrivate, window  displays the extension blocked message by Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome and never moves on. 

Text from Image:

pbnfcaobikkbealhienfilklacghhgoi is blocked

This page has been blocked by Chrome

ERR_BLOCKED_BY_CLIENT

Root Cause

This behaviour happens when the extension ID is added to the ExtensionInstallForcelist in the regedit

pbnfcaobikkbealhienfilklacghhgoi; https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx

This behaviour only occurs when Incognito, or InPrivate, browsing is used.

Solution

Use regedit to set HKLM\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome\DeveloperToolsAvailability = 1 policy if using the ExtensionInstallForcelist policy.

[bill_smith]

What causes the extension to be added to this registry list?  Some anti-malware software?

[ShahbazKhan]

It’s mostly via Customer’s Group Policy to ensure uniformity across all devices