Google Chrome extensions working on the new Edge

Mar 27, 2019 12:54 GMT  ·  By

The revamped version of Microsoft Edge isn’t yet available for download, but thanks to the leaked build that made the rounds earlier this week, we can already get a glimpse into what the software giant is currently working on.

And by the looks of things, the Chromium-based Microsoft Edge indeed comes with a lot of goodies, including support for all Google Chrome extensions, which is something that totally makes sense given the engine that powers it.

Supporting all Google Chrome extensions is something that Microsoft has been dreaming about ever since it started the work on the first version of Microsoft Edge browser.

Called Project Spartan, the early builds of the application were supposed to work with Google Chrome extensions seamlessly, but the plan was ditched when Microsoft decided to go all-in on EdgeHTML and distribute add-ons via the Microsoft Store.

Now that the company is switching to Chromium, Microsoft can fully embrace the large collection of Google Chrome extensions, so the upcoming version of Edge will support all of them.

The existing build that got leaked this week confirms this is indeed possible, but at the same time, it also reveals that Microsoft is working on an extension store of its own. In other words, only the top extensions will be hosted here, and Microsoft Edge users will be first and foremost recommended to check out this store when looking for enhanced capabilities of the browser.

By the looks of things, Microsoft’s extension store already includes the essential add-ons, and installing one of the items listed here just comes down to a few clicks.

However, when trying to install an extension published in the Google Chrome Web Store, a few more steps are required, as Edge isn’t by default configured to allow extensions from other sources.

So basically, the first and the most important thing you need to do is to enable the browser to allow the installation from the Chrome Web Store.

Extension support in Chromium-based Microsoft Edge

To do this, launch Microsoft Edge (the new one running on Chromium) and head over to the following location:


Microsoft Edge > Extensions
As an alternative, you can just type the following code in the address bar of the browser:
edge://extensions
In the bottom left part of the screen, there are two options that you can click to enable, and the one that you are looking for is called:
Allow extensions from other stores
Once this option is enabled, you can head over to the Chrome Web Store, click on any extension page and then use the install option to get it.
Extension support in Chromium-based Microsoft Edge

The process works just like on Google Chrome, but keep in mind that the option above needs to be enabled.

The addition of this restriction, which basically limits you to extensions published in Microsoft extension store, makes sense when looking at it from a security perspective, as the software giant probably wanted to protect users against malicious add-ons that occasionally make the rounds.

Obviously, it also helps Microsoft direct more users to its stores, which as I said earlier, is the recommended destination for extensions.

For the time being, there’s no ETA as to when the new browser could go live, but everyone expects the preview build to go live anytime soon given the number of leaks lately. Microsoft originally promised such a release in early 2019, and all signs seem to indicate that the launch is near, especially given all these leaks.

The leaked build seems to be running quite smoothly for now, and this could be an indication that Microsoft Edge is already in an advanced development stage that could allow the company to release this highly-anticipated preview.

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