For developers who've encountered issues with running older Java applets or other NPAPI-dependent plugins in Google Chrome, this guide explains how to temporarily re-enable NPAPI. Note that NPAPI support has been officially deprecated by Google, so this workaround is only applicable to older versions of Chrome (up to version 44).
What is NPAPI?
NPAPI (Netscape Plugin Application Programming Interface) was a technology that allowed web browsers to run plugins for various types of content, like Java applets, Flash, and Silverlight. However, due to security concerns and the rise of newer web technologies, NPAPI has been phased out.
Why Enable NPAPI?
While NPAPI is outdated, some legacy web applications still rely on it. If you need to access one of these applications, temporarily enabling NPAPI might be necessary.
Steps to Enable NPAPI in Chrome (Versions 42-44):
Disclaimer: Enabling NPAPI can pose security risks. Only enable it if you absolutely need it and understand the potential vulnerabilities.
Open Chrome Flags: In a new Chrome tab, type the following address and press Enter:
chrome://flags/#enable-npapi
This will take you to Chrome's experimental features page.
Find the NPAPI Setting: Locate the "Enable NPAPI" option. It should be clearly visible on the page.
Enable NPAPI: Click the "Enable" link below the "Enable NPAPI" description.
Relaunch Chrome: At the bottom of the page, a "Relaunch Now" button will appear. Click it to restart Chrome and apply the changes.
Important Considerations:
Alternatives to NPAPI:
The Future of Legacy Applications:
The deprecation of NPAPI highlights the importance of keeping web applications up-to-date with modern technologies. While temporary workarounds like enabling NPAPI might be necessary in some cases, the long-term solution is to migrate to newer, more secure platforms.
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