How To Disable Your Web Browser Extensions / Plugins / Add-Ons

How To Disable Your Web Browser Extensions / Plugins / Add-Ons

Problems with websites are often caused by third-party add-ons for your web browser. These may also be called “Extensions” or “Plugins”, depending on the browser you have chosen. A browser extension is a small software application that brings a new feature or functionality to a web browser. With browser extensions, you can control how websites are displayed and perform, as well as add additional functionality to your browser.

Internet Explorer was the first browser to support extensions, followed by Mozilla’s Firefox, Opera, Google Chrome, Safari and Microsoft’s Edge.

Extensions are important and very numerous whether it is for games, notifications, translations… thousands and thousands of them exist on anything that comes to your head, and you want the solution.

First of all, be aware that not all extensions are safe to use and to only install extensions that you trust, because an abusive extension can easily record your typing to steal passwords and personal information. The extension might secretly forward your search experience elsewhere or even sell out your web browsing history and information for ads. The extensions work permanently in your browser. They run when you check your social media accounts, when you deposit money from your online bank and when you enter your credit card information to shop online for goods and services.

►For Chrome Browser

① To install Google Chrome extensions

Go to the Google Chrome Web Store

Search for the extension you want and select it

Click Add to Chrome

Click Add Extension to approve

② To manage your add-ons or extensions

Open Google Chrome.

Click on the three dots () at the top right corner, then click on More tools and finally on Extensions

Now make your modifications to the extension.

③ To enable extensions, access and modify site data

Open Google Chrome

Click on Extensions at the top right corner

select the extension you want, Click More on the three dots () and point to This can read and change site data

The only thing this setting allows is for the extension to be accessed in the tab or window that is open when you click on the extension. Once you close the tab or window, the extension will need to be clicked to be enabled again. This means that you can enable the extension to automatically read and modify data on the current website or on all sites.

Disable Your Web Browser's Add-Ons or Extensions

④ To Uninstall an extension

Find the extension’s icon on the right side of your address bar

Right-click on the icon

select Remove from Chrome

In case you are not able to see the extension icon:

Open Google Chrome

Click on the three dots () at the top right corner, then click on More tools and finally on Extensions

Click on the extension you wish to remove

Click on Remove to confirm

►For Firefox Browser

① To install Firefox extensions

Go to Mozilla add-on page

Search for the extension you want and select it

Click Add to Firefox

Click Add extension to approve

② To deactivate or turn off any extensions

Click on the menu button in the upper right corner

Click on Add-ons and Themes

Select Extensions

Scroll through the list of extensions

Click on the blue button of the extension you wish to disable

To reactivate the extension again, find it in the list of extensions and hit its corresponding toggle button. When enabled, the toggle will turn blue.

③ To remove extensions

Click on the menu button

Click on Add-ons and Themes

Select Extensions

Scroll through the list of extensions

Click on the ellipsis icon () of the extension you would like to delete

Select Delete

►For Microsoft Edge Browser

① To add Microsoft Edge extensions

Open Microsoft Edge

At the top right corner of the browser, select Settings and More (Alt+F)

Extensions

Get Extensions for Microsoft Edge

Select the extension you are looking to add

Select Get

When asked what permissions the extension requires, carefully review the permissions and then select Add Extension.

You will see a prompt indicating that the extension has been added.

② To turn off an extension

Open Microsoft Edge

At the top right corner of the browser, select Settings and More (Alt+F)

Extensions

↪ Manage extensions

Select the switch next to the extension you wish to disable.

The icon of the extension next to the address bar will disappear.

③ To remove an extension

Find the extension’s icon on the right side of your address bar

Right-click on the icon

select Remove from Microsoft Edge

In case you are not able to see the extension icon:

Open Microsoft Edge

At the top right corner of the browser, select Settings and More (Alt+F)

Extensions

↪ Manage extensions

Select Remove under the extension you want to remove

Click on Remove again to confirm

The attached video will explain all the steps to follow for these browsers.

One response to “How To Disable Your Web Browser Extensions / Plugins / Add-Ons”

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