Deploy Companion Mode for Google Chrome using GPO

If your school uses Google Chrome on Windows devices and Group Policy Object (GPO) to manage your school devices, this guide will help you deploy the Connect app, Authentication agent, and Connect extension for Companion Mode. 

Before you begin

• Set up Companion Mode.
• Download the Connect for Windows .msi file from School Manager by going to Configuration > Agents Download, then select Download for Windows (.msi) for school IT admins.
• Contact Linewize Support for your school’s Authentication Agent file.
• Copy and note your Download URL from School Manager by going to Configuration > Agents Download, then select Copy Download URL.

Deploy the Connect app and Authentication agent

1. Open Group Policy Management Editor.
2. Go to Computer Configuration > Policies > Software Settings.
3. Right-click Software Installation and then select New > Package...
4. Locate the Connect for Windows .msi file on your device or shared drive, then select Open and Yes.
5. Select Assigned, then select OK.
6. Repeat steps 2 - 5 for the Linewize Authentication agent.
7. Restart your devices to update them with the policy assignment for Linewize Connect and Authentication agent.

Deploy the Connect extension

1. Open Group Policy Management.
2. Expand your chosen Forest and Domain.
3. Right-click on the Domain, select Create a new a GPO in this domain, and Link it here…
4. Right-click the GPO and then select Edit.
5. Go to Computer Configuration > Policies > Administrative Templates (ADMX) > Google > Google Chrome > Extensions.
   

   Important

   If the Administrative Templates folder isn’t visible in the Policies folder, you must manually add it.

6. Select Control which extensions are installed silently, select Enabled, and then select Show….
7. On the Show Contents dialogue, enter "ifinpabiejbjobcphhaomiifjibpkjlf;" and the Download URL from your School Manager, then select OK, Apply then OK.
   Example: “ifinpabiejbjobcphhaomiifjibpkjlf;https://download.qoria.com/browser/APPLIANCEID".
8. Select Configure extension, app, and user script install sources, select Enabled, then select Show….
9. In the Show Contents dialogue, enter “https://download.qoria.com/browser/*”, then select OK, Apply then OK.
10. Select Configure extension management settings, then select Enabled.
11. On the Options: Configure extension management settings dialogue enter “{ "ifinpabiejbjobcphhaomiifjibpkjlf":{"override_update_url": true,"toolbar_pin": "force_pinned"}}”, then select Apply, then OK.
12. Select the GPO from the list, go to the Security Filtering section to include groups, users, or computers that should apply to the GPO, then select Add.