Skip to content

Google Chrome Configuration Guide

Version 1.0

Document Revisions

Date Version Description Author(s)
06/15/2022 1.0 Initial posted version migrated from the IE 11 Configuration Guide Bob Blackard

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

The purpose of this document is to provide Market Participants with information about configuration settings for Google’s Chrome browser. These configuration settings are expected to provide better compatibility to access ERCOT’s external-facing browser-based applications using Chrome. ERCOT used the configuration settings provided in this document as the baseline to test external-facing, browser-based applications using Chrome. A list of ERCOT external-facing browser-based applications is included below.

ERCOT’s Enterprise Architecture manages the overall technology lifecycle for browsers, which includes platform compatibility.

2. Purpose

In May 2021, Microsoft announced the end of support for all versions of Internet Explorer (IE), including IE 11. The most detailed explanation, including retirement for their current Windows 10 Operating System, is covered in an FAQ:

“…the Internet Explorer 11 desktop application will go out of support and be retired on June 15, 2022 for certain versions of Windows 10.”[^1]

While the above statement is specific to Windows 10, the FAQ covers end-of-support information for other operating system versions, both end user and server.

Based on this, ERCOT has published a policy of ending support for IE 11 on all Market-facing applications as of June 15, 2022. ERCOT has decided to support Chromium-based browsers, specifically Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome.

ERCOT is publishing this Google Chrome configuration guide in response to the above announcement. The guide provides directions for those Market Participants who intend to deploy Google Chrome in their corporate environment.

Note that this guide assumes that Google accounts are not used in Google Chrome. In other words, users do not log in to a Google-managed account when using the browser.

3. Scope

The scope of this guide applies to the following applications:

  1. Market Management System (MMS)

  2. Renewable Energy Credit (REC)

  3. Retail

    1. Market Data Transparency

    2. MarkeTrak

    3. (Create Enrollment)

    4. (Create Move In)

    5. (Create Move Out)

    6. (Delete CSA)

    7. (Establish CSA)

    8. (Find ESIID)

    9. (Find Transactions)

  4. Market Participant Identify Management (MPIM)

  5. Market Information System (MIS)

    1. Application

    2. Download

    3. Portal

  6. Eenergy (Siebel UI)

    1. Eservices (Service Requests)

    2. Eservices (Settlement Disputes)

  7. ETOD

  8. Extract Subscriber

  9. PGC Extracts (Extract Subscriber)

  10. Report Explorer

4. Configuration settings for Google Chrome

The following are the minimum recommended settings for Google Chrome.

  1. In Google Chrome, click the ellipsis to open the menu.

  1. Select Settings to open the Settings page.

  2. Select Privacy and security from tne navigation panel.

  1. Select the Security options.

  1. Under the Safe Browsing section, select Standard protection.

  1. Click to return to Privacy and security.

  2. Close the Settings page.

5. Exporting a digital certificate

  1. In the Certificates management window, select the certificate and click and the Certificate Export Wizard will open.

  1. Click and follow the wizard.

In order to keep your certificate safe, a password is required. Remember your password, as you will need it to import your certificate. Once created, click the Next button.

Name the certificate, giving it a meaningful name, and save it to a location you can remember, as you will need to go back this location to import. Click the Next button.

You will get a message stating, “The export was successful.”

5.1. Appendix – Managing digital certificates

Market Participants use digital certificates to authenticate access to external applications. You may need to import your certificates into Google Chrome.

  1. In Google Chrome, click the ellipsis to open the menu.

  1. Select Settings to open the Settings page.

  2. Select Privacy and security from tne navigation panel.

  1. Select the Security options.

  1. Under the Safe Browsing section, select Standard protection.

  2. Under the Advanced section, select Manage certificates.

  1. This will open the Certificates management window.

  1. Once complete, click .

  2. Close the Settings Page.

5.2. Importing a digital certificate

  1. In the Certificates management window, select the certificate and click and the Certificate Import Wizard will open.

  1. Click and follow the wizard.

You will get a message stating, “The import was successful.”

6. Appendix – Using profiles

Some Market Participants use multiple digital certificates for certain ERCOT sites. ERCOT recommends using multiple profiles within Chromium-based browsers, such as Google Chrome, for easier use when utilizing multiple digital certificates. By opening different browser windows with different profiles, separate digital certificates can be used.

Google Chrome caches digital certificate bindings to respective profiles at the profile level. This means that all windows and tabs with that profile will use the same digital certificate once one has been selected. When a new browser window for any profile that is not bound to a digital certificate connects to a site that uses Digital Certificate Mutual Authentication, the user must select the digital certificate to use. Unbinding a digital certificate from a profile happens when all browser windows for that profile are closed.

This guide assumes very limited use of profiles specifically related to digital certificates. Many profile configuration options are excluded since they are not relevant.

6.1. Selecting profiles

Users select the profile by clicking the profile avatar next to the address bar.

In this example, the current profile uses a default gray avatar and shows at the top, the example profile in this case. Other available profiles are shown below the active profile. In this view, the only other currently available option is Guest.

By clicking on one of the available profiles, a new browser window will open and be bound to that profile.

In the event a browser window for the selected profile is already open, that browser window will be activated.

6.2. Changing a profile name or avatar

The profile name or avatar can be changed by switching to that profile and editing as follows.

  1. Click the profile avatar next to the address bar.

  1. Click for the profile to open the Customize profile page.

  1. Edit the name and select the avatar.

  2. Close the Settings page.

6.3. Removing a profile

Profiles can be removed using the Manage profiles pop-up.

  1. Click the profile avatar next to the address bar.

  1. Click the gear icon by Other profiles.

  1. This opens the Manage profiles pop-up.

  1. Click the ellipsis menu for the profile you wish to remove.

  1. Click .

  2. Confirm by clicking .

This will remove the profile and close the browser window(s) associated with it.

6.4. Adding a profile

Profiles can be added as follows.

  1. Click the profile avatar next to the address bar.

  1. Click to open the Add profile pop-up.

  1. Click to open the Customize your Chrome profile pop-up.

  1. Enter a profile name and select the theme color.

  2. Optionally, click the pencil icon to change the avatar.

  1. Make sure the Create a desktop shortcut option is deselected.

  1. Click to create the profile and open a new browser window.

[^1]: Internet Explorer 11 desktop app retirement FAQ