Google’s Chrome browser installation process has been disrupted by a significant technical error affecting Windows users worldwide.

Users attempting to install Chrome on Intel or AMD-based Windows 10 and 11 systems are encountering an error message stating “This app can’t run on your PC: To find a version for your PC, check with the software publisher” when launching the ChromeSetup.exe file.

This widespread issue emerged on March 25, 2025, when Google inadvertently deployed an ARM-specific installer to x86 architecture systems.

The Installation Roadblock

The Windows Latest blog claims that the issue arises during the installation of the browser, which is supposed to be a standard procedure.

When users visit Google’s official Chrome download page (https://www.google.com/intl/en_in/chrome/) and click the “Download Chrome” button, the website indicates “Thanks for downloading!” and delivers the ChromeSetup.exe file.

The ChromeSetup.exe file should now be opened, following the on-screen directions to complete the installation.

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Researchers discovered that “Google accidentally shipped an incorrect app package”.

Attempting to open ChromeSetup.exe, which was downloaded, would result in the following error:

Unlike many applications, Chrome cannot be downloaded through the Microsoft Store, making the official website the primary installation method for most users.

This makes the current issue particularly frustrating for those setting up new computers or virtual machines who prefer Chrome over Microsoft Edge.

Upon closer inspection of the faulty ChromeSetup.exe file, security researchers discovered references to “Montgomery Multiplication for ARMv8” in the code, a cryptographic routine typically used in encryption such as RSA:

This finding confirms that Google mistakenly distributed an installer built specifically for ARM-based Snapdragon PCs to the much larger user base of Intel and AMD x64 systems.

The architecture mismatch is fundamental: software compiled for ARM architecture cannot run natively on x86/x64 systems without an emulation layer—something Windows only provides for running x86 applications on ARM, not the reverse.

When Windows detects this incompatibility, it displays the error message and prevents execution.

Affected Systems and Solution

This issue impacts all Windows 10 and 11 users running on Intel or AMD processors attempting to install Chrome through the standard download process.

Users with ARM-based Windows devices, such as certain Microsoft Surface models with Snapdragon chips, can install Chrome without issues.

For those affected, the recommended workaround is to use Google Chrome’s offline installer, which remains unaffected by this architecture mix-up.

The offline installer can be accessed at https://dl.google.com/chrome/install/ChromeStandaloneSetup64.exe for 64-bit Windows systems.

Another method reported by affected users involves completely removing previous Chrome installations by deleting the Google folder under “C:\Program Files (x86)\Google” before attempting a fresh installation.

This incident highlights the increasing complexity of cross-platform software distribution as the computing landscape diversifies beyond traditional x86 architecture.

Even industry giants like Google can encounter basic distribution errors when managing multiple software variants for different processor architectures.

Google is expected to correct the issue promptly, though no official statement has been released regarding the timeline for resolution.

In the meantime, Windows users seeking Chrome will need to rely on offline installer alternatives.

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