"Chrome Installer Failure on Windows PCs: A Resolution Strategy"
Hey there, folks!"
Running into trouble installing Google Chrome on your brand new Windows 11 rig or switching browsers and receiving a pesky blue pop-up error? Worry not! You're certainly not alone in this tech hiccup.
Our peeps at our website have stumbled upon an issue with Chrome installation on Windows devices, and we've confirmed it across multiple systems. The error message reads: "This app can't run on your PC." And guess what? others in the Windows community have been encountering the problem too, and they ain't happy about it!
We reached out to both Microsoft and Google, and a rep from Google shared that the company's got the situation in hand. Seems like they've updated the installer to be compatible with Windows machines.
In the meantime, here's the lowdown on the Google Chrome installer debacle, along with the official fix and our handy workaround.
Affected systems:
Our tech gang found that the issue is strictly tied to Windows devices. We handled the error on four systems, and we've also spotted similar predicaments on Reddit. A post reads, "Just re-installed Windows and I can't install Google Chrome." Another user commented, "It's not just you. There's something going on with the installer."
In our research, we found that macOS systems could comfortably download and install Chrome the usual way. We attempted to install Chrome on a Windows 10 machine, which brought up the same incompatible app pop-up error.
However, if you've already got Chrome on your system, you shouldn't experience any loss of service. The problem seems to be targeting new Chrome installations only.
The cause of the installer error remains a mystery. It doesn't appear to be related to the March 21 Google Chrome update, nor was there a Windows update that might have stirred up compatibility issues.
How to get a working Chrome installer:
The incompatibility error seems to be tied to the general Chrome installer, ChromeSetup.exe. The good news is that Google has users covered, now providing an updated version of the installer with a compatible version of the ChromeSetup.exe executable.
To get the latest version, you'll want to refresh your browser or clear your cache. Alternatively, opt for the Windows 10/11 64-bit specific offline installer, ChromeStandaloneSetup64.exe, which you can't find on the typical Google Chrome download page.
To get the offline Chrome installer, pop over to http://google.com/intl/en/chrome/?standalone=1, click "Download Chrome," and download and install the app. You'll find that both the Offline Installer and General Installer are now working on the systems our team used during testing.
If you've stored an older version of the Chrome Installer, versions prior to March 25 seem to be functioning fine.
As of our update on March 25, 4:33 pm Eastern, all the latest Chrome installers available on Google's pages should be compatible with Windows systems.
Bonus tip: When downloading Google Chrome, it's worth going for the offline standalone installer. This badass package doesn't require an internet connection during installation, making it reliable for multiple installations on different PCs, no matter your internet situation. Additionally, you'll avoid common compatibility and installation errors associated with the smaller online installers.
Hope this fix helps you out, and happy browsing!
Oh, and don't forget to sign up for The Snapshot, our free newsletter on the future of computing, to stay in the loop on all things tech!
- If you're experiencing trouble installing Google Chrome on a new Windows 11 laptop, you might encounter a blue pop-up error stating, "This app can't run on your PC."
- Our tech team has noticed this issue on multiple Windows systems, and it's also been reported in various posts on Reddit, with frustrated users sharing their predicament, such as, "Just re-installed Windows and I can't install Google Chrome."
- Fortunately, Google has acknowledged the issue and updated the installer to be compatible with Windows machines. You can download the latest version of the installer by refreshing your browser or downloading the Windows 10/11 64-bit specific offline installer, ChromeStandaloneSetup64.exe.
- For those with older versions of the Chrome installer, versions before March 25 seem to be functioning fine. The offline standalone installer is recommended as it doesn't require an internet connection during installation and can prevent common compatibility and installation errors.
- If you're interested in staying updated on the latest tech news, we invite you to sign up for The Snapshot, our free newsletter on the future of computing.
