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A Full Chrome Components List and What They Mean (Updated 2021)

Here’s a list of all Chrome components, how to update them individually, and what they mean.

Google Chrome automatically updates itself in the background, just like Windows 10. The best thing is, unlike Windows 10, Chrome waits until you restart the browser manually to apply the downloaded updates. While updating the Chrome browser, it also automatically updates relevant components, if the update is available.

However, there will be times when Chrome might fail to update one or more of the components. In those situations, depending on the Chrome component, you might have to deal with crashes, odd behavior, and slowness.

When that happens, you can individually update any Chrome component with a single click.

What Are Chrome Components?

You can think of Chrome components as simple individual modules that help Chrome work properly. Each of these components is responsible for a wide range of features. For instance, Adobe Flash component is required to play Flash content, WideVine is required to decrypt DRM protect content like Netflix videos, etc.

All the Chrome components are listed in a single page along with their status and version number. You can visit that page by entering chrome://components in the Chrome address bar. As of writing this, there are 13 components in Chrome. Each and every component has its own update button so that you can individually update the component.

Like I said before when one or more components are corrupted or not updated properly, Chrome can give you problems. If that’s the case, just click on the “Check for update” button underneath the component. This action will trigger the update process and if the update is available, it will be downloaded and installed automatically.

Chrome components

Of course, as and when needed, Google can add or remove components in Chrome. Which simply means that depending on the Chrome version, you might see less or more components.

Chrome Components List

MEI Preload: It’s a media module that is responsible for preloading media content in the browser. If there is a problem with this module or if it is outdated, it can cause problems with media playback and preloading.

Intervention Policy Database:  Chrome has different policies in a contained databased that it pushes to user devices to make the browser work properly and securely. If your chrome browser is crashing constantly, the Intervention Policy Database might be the problem.

Subresource Filter Rules:  This module hosts all the rules related to Subresource. Subresource is a simple mechanism that checks the filtered pages to identify and filter out malicious or dangerous content, like phishing and malicious links.

Additionally, the same Subresource filter rules are used to filter out ads that violate Better Ads Standard (https://www.betterads.org/standards/).

Certificate Error Assistant: CEA module is dynamically updated with the captive portal certificate list. This is list is used to handle any SSL errors or problems.

Software Reporter Tool:  This is a pretty self-explanatory competent. Using this module, Chrome tracks, and reports any software problems. Additionally, it also tracks and reports about unexpected ads that are causing chrome to slow down or harm users.

CRLSet: CRLSet module is responsible for blocking certificates in emergency and non-emergency situations.

pnacl: Portable Native Client (pnacl) module is developer component. This component lets a developer run and test untrusted code in a contained and secure Chrome sandbox.

Chrome Improved Recovery: This is a simple module that tracks any problems while updating. If there are any problems, this module is used to repair and recover.

File Type Policies: Google Chrome handles a lot of file types, like PDFs. This module is designed to handle all those file type policies.

Origin Trials: This is another developer-centric feature. This module allows devs to experiment with web platform features without messing up the Chrome browser.

Adobe Flash Player: This is your good old Adobe Flash Player component that is responsible for dealing with Flash content. Since flash content is slowly being removed, expect this module to be removed.

Widevine Content Decryption Module: Widevine Content Decryption module helps decrypt DRM protected media, like Netflix videos, Spotify music, etc..

Signed Tree Heads: This is a simple module that verifies the signed certificate timestamps.

That is all. Hope the Chrome component list helps you. If you like this article, do check out how to reduce Chrome cache size in Windows 10 to free up disk space.

1 thought on “A Full Chrome Components List and What They Mean (Updated 2021)”

  1. Avatar for Gillian Morton
    Gillian Morton

    my cookapps games will not play I have installed adobe flash player but they still do not play can you please advise me what I can do to enable me to play them. It is only cookapps games all my other ones are ok .I play games through facebook gameroom

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