I need to deploy some in house software along with an extension, e.g. a native messaging app. Based on this page: https://developer.chrome.com/extensions/external_extensions It doesn't look like you can install from an external .crx anymore.
I've used the master_preferences file before: https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/188453 But that only works with new installs & I need to deploy to my existing users who are already setup with Chrome.
So is my only options to publish to the Web Store & have my users click on an Inline Installation link?