Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Google ban this sort of installing, too, recently? I added it like that, it installed, and then it says "not from Chrome Web store" on the Extensions page, and shows it as disabled, and can't be enabled.

If you ask me, I think this was a completely unnecessary and definitely self-interested move from Google, but since most here on HN bought Google's narrative and thought it's a good idea "because security" (with zero data to back it up), and didn't speak out against it, now we're stuck with this.

Having to enable Developer Mode and drag and drop an extension was more than enough "security". They didn't have to limit them to the Chrome store, just like they don't limit much more complex and more dangerous Android apps from being installed from other places, when you check the Unknown sources button.

Now try to add this extension in the Chrome store, and watch how you're promptly deleted by Google. And now hopefully people will understand why Google's latest move was completely self-interested and also unnecessary security wise. It was designed specifically to reject this sort of extensions from working on Chrome.

One more thing to ponder about: Even Apple doesn't completely ban native apps from running from other sources. It still gives you the option to install Mac apps from other sources. Chrome doesn't (anymore).