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Windows

Deploying the Web Insights Browser Extension on Windows

This guide explains how to deploy the Web Insights for WhatPulse browser extension to managed Windows devices. The extension can be force-installed to Chromium-based browsers (Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Brave) and Mozilla Firefox using Group Policy or Microsoft Intune. Force-installed extensions are installed silently and cannot be removed or disabled by end users.

Prerequisites​

  • Domain-joined Windows devices (for Group Policy) or Intune-enrolled devices
  • Administrative access to Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) or Microsoft Intune
  • Chrome/Edge ADMX templates installed (for Chromium Group Policy deployment)
  • Firefox ADMX templates installed (for Firefox Group Policy deployment)

Extension Identifiers​

Use the following identifiers when configuring deployment policies:

BrowserIdentifierValue
Chrome / Edge / ChromiumExtension IDfnfhoihlmikplapbgegdmpifhgmaigbf
Chrome / Edge / ChromiumUpdate URLhttps://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx
FirefoxAdd-on IDweb-insights-for-whatpulse
FirefoxInstall URLhttps://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/downloads/latest/web-insights-for-whatpulse/latest.xpi

Deploying to Chromium-Based Browsers​

Chromium-based browsers (Chrome, Edge, Brave) all support the ExtensionInstallForcelist policy to silently install extensions from the Chrome Web Store.

The force-install value combines the extension ID and update URL, separated by a semicolon:

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

Method 1: Group Policy​

  1. Install ADMX Templates: Download and install the Chrome ADMX templates or Edge ADMX templates if not already present in your Group Policy Central Store.

  2. Open Group Policy Management Console: Create a new GPO (e.g., "Deploy Web Insights Extension") and link it to the OU containing the target computers, or edit an existing GPO.

  3. Navigate to the Extension Policy: In the GPO Editor, navigate to:

    • For Google Chrome: Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Google → Google Chrome → Extensions
    • For Microsoft Edge: Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Microsoft Edge → Extensions

  4. Enable Force-Install Policy: Open the policy Configure the list of force-installed apps and extensions and set it to Enabled. Click Show and add the following value:

fnfhoihlmikplapbgegdmpifhgmaigbf;https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx
  1. Apply the Policy: Save the GPO and run gpupdate /force on target machines or wait for the next Group Policy refresh cycle:
gpupdate /force

The extension will install automatically on the next browser launch. Users will see the Web Insights extension in their browser toolbar and will not be able to remove or disable it.

Method 2: Microsoft Intune​

  1. Create a Configuration Profile: In the Intune admin center, go to Devices → Configuration profiles → Create profile. Select Windows 10 and later as the platform and Settings catalog as the profile type.

  2. Add the Extension Policy: In the Settings catalog, search for ExtensionInstallForcelist. Select the setting for the target browser (Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge).

  3. Configure the Value: Add the force-install string:

fnfhoihlmikplapbgegdmpifhgmaigbf;https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx
  1. Assign and Deploy: Assign the profile to the appropriate device group and save. Enrolled devices will receive the policy at their next sync.

Deploying to Firefox​

Firefox supports enterprise extension deployment via Group Policy (using Mozilla's ADMX templates) or a policies.json file.

Method 1: Group Policy​

  1. Install Firefox ADMX Templates: Download the Firefox ADMX templates and add them to your Group Policy Central Store if not already present.

  2. Open Group Policy Management Console: Create or edit a GPO linked to the target OU.

  3. Navigate to the Extension Policy: In the GPO Editor, navigate to:

    • Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Mozilla → Firefox → Extensions

  4. Enable Extensions to Install: Open the policy Extensions to Install and set it to Enabled. Click Show and add the following URL:

https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/downloads/latest/web-insights-for-whatpulse/latest.xpi
  1. Apply the Policy: Save the GPO and run gpupdate /force on target machines:
gpupdate /force

Firefox will install the extension automatically on the next launch.

Method 2: policies.json​

For environments where Group Policy is not available, you can deploy a policies.json file to configure Firefox directly. Place the following file at the root of the Firefox installation directory:

  • 64-bit Firefox: C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\distribution\policies.json
  • 32-bit Firefox: C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\distribution\policies.json
{
  "policies": {
    "Extensions": {
      "Install": [
        "https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/downloads/latest/web-insights-for-whatpulse/latest.xpi"
      ]
    }
  }
}

You can deploy this file using any file distribution method available in your environment (login script, SCCM, Intune file copy, etc.). Firefox will install the extension on the next launch.

Verification​

After deploying the extension, verify that it is installed and active:

  1. Check the Browser: Open Chrome, Edge, or Firefox on a target machine and navigate to the extensions page (chrome://extensions, edge://extensions, or about:addons). The Web Insights for WhatPulse extension should be listed as installed and enabled, with a note that it is managed by your organization.

  2. Check the Toolbar: The Web Insights icon should appear in the browser toolbar.

  3. Check WhatPulse Dashboard: Log in to your WhatPulse Professional dashboard. Devices with the extension installed and the WhatPulse desktop client running should begin reporting web application usage data.