Microsoft Edge extensions are a simple way to add new features to the browser, customize your browsing experience, and get more control over how websites work.
Whether you want to install an ad blocker, password manager, productivity tool, or another browser add-on, Edge makes it relatively easy to manage extensions. You can also temporarily disable an extension if it causes problems, or remove it completely when you no longer need it.
Microsoft provides built-in options for adding, turning off, and removing extensions in Edge on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
How to add an extension to Microsoft Edge
The easiest way to install an extension is through the Microsoft Edge Add-ons store.
- Open Microsoft Edge.
- Select the Extensions button to the right of the address bar.
- Select Get Extensions for Microsoft Edge.
- Search for the extension you want to install.
- Select Get.
- Review the permissions requested by the extension.
- If you’re comfortable with the permissions, select Add extension.
Edge will display a confirmation once the extension has been installed.
Can’t find the Extensions button?
If the Extensions button isn’t visible next to the address bar, open Settings and more (…) > Extensions to access the extension management options.
You can also install Chrome extensions in Edge
One useful feature of Microsoft Edge is that it supports extensions designed for Google Chrome.
To install one:
- Open the Chrome Web Store in Microsoft Edge.
- Search for the extension you want.
- Open the extension’s product page.
- Select Get extension or Get.
- If Edge asks you to allow extensions from other stores, select Allow.
- Review the requested permissions.
- Select Add extension.
This gives Edge users access to a much wider selection of browser extensions beyond the Microsoft Edge Add-ons store.
How to turn off an Edge extension
You don’t always need to uninstall an extension just because you’re not using it.
If an extension is slowing down your browser, interfering with a website, or you simply want to temporarily disable it, you can turn it off.
Here’s how:
- Select Extensions next to the Edge address bar.
- Select Manage extensions.
- Find the extension you want to disable.
- Turn off the toggle next to it.
The extension remains installed, but it will be disabled until you turn the toggle back on.
This can also be useful when troubleshooting Edge. If a website suddenly stops working correctly, temporarily disabling extensions can help identify whether one of your add-ons is causing the problem.
How to remove an extension from Edge
If you no longer need an extension, removing it completely is straightforward.
There are two ways to do it.
Remove an extension from its toolbar icon
Right-click the extension’s icon next to the address bar and select Remove from Microsoft Edge. Confirm the removal by selecting Remove.
Remove it through the Extensions menu
Alternatively:
- Select Extensions next to the address bar.
- Select More actions (…) next to the extension.
- Select Remove from Microsoft Edge.
- Select Remove to confirm.
The extension will then be removed from Edge.
Check extension permissions before installing
One step that’s easy to overlook is the permissions screen that appears during installation.
Microsoft recommends reviewing the permissions requested by an extension before selecting Add extension. This is particularly important because browser extensions can request access to different types of browser data and functionality.
If an extension asks for permissions that don’t seem appropriate for what it does, it’s worth taking a closer look before installing it.
What should you do if an extension causes problems?
If Edge starts behaving strangely after installing an extension, you don’t necessarily have to remove it immediately.
First, try turning the extension off from the Manage extensions page. If the problem disappears, the extension may be responsible.
You can then decide whether to leave it disabled or remove it completely.
For extensions you no longer use, removing them can also help keep your browser’s extension list clean and easier to manage.
Edge makes extension management simple
Extensions can make Microsoft Edge much more useful, but having too many installed can make it harder to identify which add-on is responsible when something goes wrong.
Fortunately, Edge gives you three straightforward options: install an extension, temporarily turn it off, or remove it completely.
And because Edge supports Chrome extensions as well, users aren’t limited to Microsoft’s own extension store.
For the official instructions, see Microsoft’s guide to managing Edge extensions.
