Opening "About Google Chrome" through a Bat File

[Anthony Dragone]

So, I work at a school, and we're always running around updating windows, google chrome, and Java. So, I made a Bat file that currently opens windows updates, copys a java installation file to downloads and runs it, and opens google chrome. However, it would be more helpful if I could just have the file open the about chrome itself.

The bat file looks like this right now:

title Updating
echo Updating Java to 1.8.60
xcopy /s \java8 C:\Users\Administrator\Downloads
start C:\Users\Administrator\Downloads\java8.exe
echo Opening Chrome
start C:\"Program Files (x86)"\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
echo Opening Windows Update
start C:\Windows\system32\wuapp.exe startmenu

So how would I make chrome.exe open "Chrome://chrome/" when I try to do things that would work for a normal URL, it removes the " : " from "Chrome://" and opens a new chrome window, attempting to open the url "Chrome//chrome/"

In the attached zip file, I tried to make a internet shortcut to the about chrome tab, and that also has bared no fruit.

Note: this is meant to be run from a flash drive so the flash drive's own driver letter is subject to change between computers, so I'm trying to make a bat file that would work without needing the flash drive letter. (If you look at the 'xcopy' line, you'll see that's what I am doing, since I have a folder within the flash drive named Java8.)

I attached a Zip file of the current flash drive's setup. You'll notice I have an autorun file in the directory (I've made the file extension of the autorun file '.off' to disable it for those who wish only to look at the Bat file)

Regarding the Autorun file, it's currently meant to run the Bat file as soon as you plug in the drive. However I have been unable to seen the autorun file actually work. The only difference i've seen sometimes is the computer asking what to do with the flash drive, none of the options being "Run update.bat". It's pretty straight forward, but just so people know what's in the file before opening it;

[autorun]
open=updates.bat

I'm assuming the image we installed on the computers have autorun off by default, to avoid infectious autorun files that may reside in student flash drives, so I'm not really concerned about the autorun file.

I've posted the file Here.

[PhistucK]

​You can simply force updates or install Chrome using MSI, see ​the documentation -

https://www.chromium.org/administrators

☆PhistucK

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[Anthony Dragone]

(I had posted this reply on my other account, sorry for the re-post)

I've thought about that, but unlike Java where we tend to require a certain version (for things like standardized testing only using a certain Java version), I don't want the chrome update portion of this to be dependent on an installer like the Java portion is. That way, no matter what version of chrome is running, and no matter when, I can use the same bat file to update whatever version chrome to the latest.

To summarize; the Java installer is the only portion I'd like to have depend on a exe/msi file, since we need to control it as it seems fit.

[Sorin Jianu]

Anthony, I am wondering why relying on Chrome's own silent updater is not sufficient for your needs. What is the motivation to kick off Chrome  updates with a .bat file?

Thank you!

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[Anthony Dragone]

At this point, it's more of a challenge I'd like to have. After thinking it through, the MSI does sound like the better idea, but I like the idea of a challenge.

[MSI Team]

Chrome automatically silently installs updates when Chrome is not open unless its automatic update feature was somehow disabled or broken or is not working properly.

[Anthony Dragone]

For the most part we have automatic updates currently disabled. I honestly don't know why. It may be 'cause our supervisors don't want things automatically updating/installing when a student is using the computer, and want this process to be under the control of the tech department.

[MSI Team]

If Chrome needs to relaunch when it's open to complete update installation, the Chrome menu icon's color will change from gray to green, yellow, or red and will prompt a relaunch if the "Update Google Chrome" menu option is clicked. In other words, Chrome will not automatically relaunch to complete update installation. AFAIK enabling Chrome's automatic update feature is the most reliable option.