Google Chrome: Manual Migration to Snapshot Builds

// September 23rd, 2008 // Chrome, Google

If you’ve already downloaded the chrome channel switcher, and figured out that the updater doesn’t function correctly in the About window, then you’re probably itching to try the latest of the latest (albeit unstable) build of Google Chrome! While it’s not a walk in the park, and it will require some manual adjustments, there is a way to get the latest updates.

Be forewarned: the latest may not be the greatest, it’s a hit and miss scenario.

Acquiring the latest build
Everyone can acquire the latest build of Chrome through their Buildbot system – aka snapshots.

You can find the repository of snapshots here: http://build.chromium.org/buildbot/snapshots/chromium-rel-xp/

The latest build is the highest numbered folder – the latest build number is also stored in the file entitled “LATEST”. To install it, download the installed (mini-installer.exe) located inside the build folder.

Installation of the snapshot build
The mini-installer just installs the build, nothing else – don’t expect a fancy installer or anything, as there is nothing to be seen. When it’s finished installing you will be greeted by a window that asks you to import settings and create icons, don’t import anything.

When it starts up you will notice something peculiar – all your Chrome data is gone! Actually it isn’t. The mini-installer installed the snapshot build as a new program called Chromium (instead of Google Chrome), you can find it in the start-menu folder, too. All your Google Chrome data is still on your computer, don’t worry. Continue reading the next section.

Importing Google Chrome data into Chromium
This is the manual part – we will be copying all your User Data from Google Chrome to your Chromium installation, follow the steps below (if Chromium is open, close it):

Start > Run, “%userprofile%/Local Settings/Application Data/Google/Chrome/”

Right-click on the folder User Data, click Copy

Start > Run, “%userprofile%/Local Settings/Application Data/Chromium/”

Delete or rename the folder User Data, then right-click and paste the previously copied User Data folder

You’ve successfully imported all your data into Chromium! If you get tired of using Chromium, and want to back-port your newer data back into Google Chrome, then copy your Chromium User Data into your Google Chrome folder.

For developers: Automating this process
A simple way to automate this process would be to create a program that checks the LATEST file to see if the build number coincides with the installed build number. If it doesn’t, then download the mini-installer from the latest build number folder, then run the installer.

Ending note
Don’t forget to submit bugs. Even if you use Chromium. Even though it’s not an official build, the developers are not aware of every bug. All bug submissions have the chance to be helpful, submit some.