Browser extensions enable you to add features that aren’t natively present in your browser. But many users tend to install too many extensions and leave them active, even after they don’t need them anymore. Some extensions can also conflict with other extensions, slow down the browsing experience, or pose a security risk. Here’s how to disable or remove extensions in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and a few other browsers.
Table of Contents
Disable or Remove Extension From Chrome
You can access the Extensions page in Chrome using the Settings section or directly from the Extensions pin. Here’s how to disable or remove an extension in Chrome:
1. Go to the top bar in Chrome and click on the Extensions icon. Then, click on the Manage extensions option.
2. Pick an extension and click on the toggle next to it to disable it.
3. If you want to permanently remove the extension, click on the Remove button.
4. A popup window will appear. Click on the Remove button.
If you have sync enabled in Chrome, removing an extension will remove it from all Chrome browsers running on different systems with the same Google account. You can use the Chrome web store to re-add the extension in the future.
2. Disable or Remove Extension From Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge shifted to the Chromium engine in 2020 and now supports Chrome web store extensions too. Here’s how to disable or remove an extension:
1. Press the Ctrl + T keys to open a new tab in Edge. Type edge://extensions/ in the address bar and press Enter to open the Extensions page.
2. You will see a complete list of installed extensions. Click on the toggle next to an active extension to disable it.
3. If you don’t need the extension anymore, click on the Remove option present below the extension’s description.
4. A popup window will open in the top right corner. Click on the Remove button to confirm your decision.
3. Disable or Remove Extension From Firefox
Firefox clubs extensions, themes, and plugins in the Add-ons section. It also displays active and inactive extensions in separate sections. Follow the below-mentioned steps to disable or remove an extension in Firefox:
1. Navigate to the top right area and click on the Extensions icon. Then click on the Manage extensions option.
2. Go to the Enabled section and find the extension you want to disable. Then click on the toggle to disable it.
3. Firefox will move the extension to the Disabled section.
4. To remove an extension, click on the meatballs (three-dot icon) icon. Click on the Remove option.
5. You will see a popup window. Click on the Remove button.
Unlike other browsers, Firefox does offer an Undo option after you remove an extension. You can use it to restore an extension you removed unintentionally.
4. Disable or Remove Extension From Opera
Opera browser also uses the Chromium engine but has some distinct features like a sidebar and an in-built VPN. Here’s how to disable or remove an extension in Opera:
1. Go to the address bar in Opera and click on it. Type chrome://extensions in the address bar and press Enter to directly go to the extensions page.
2. Click on the Enabled tab.
3. Pick an extension and click on the toggle to disable it. Alternatively, you can click on the Disable button. Opera will move the extension to the disabled tab.
4. Click on the Remove button below an extension.
5. Reconfirm your decision by clicking on the Remove button in the popup window.
5. Disable or Remove Extension From Brave
Brave browser doesn’t have an independent store for extensions and relies on the Chrome web store. Here’s how to disable or remove extensions in Brave:
1. Press the Ctrl + T keys to open a new tab in Brave. Type brave://extensions in the address bar and press Enter.
2. Navigate to the extension you want to disable and click on the toggle to disable it.
3. Lastly, to remove the extension, click on the Remove button. Now, finalize your decision by clicking on the Remove button in the popup window.
FAQs
1. How do I open Chrome with all extensions disabled?
Chrome doesn’t offer a single button to disable all extensions at once. So, you have to disable each extension manually and restart the browser, if required. Or you can simply use the Incognito mode because it runs a separate instance of Chrome without any extensions active. There is also an extension available on the Chrome Web Store called Extension Manager which you can use to disable extensions on the fly.
2. Why disable browser extensions?
The most obvious reason is to free up system resources while using the browser. Extension load and run when you launch the browser and continue running in the background even when you are not using them actively. So, disabling at least the unused ones makes sense, especially on a low-spec PC with little system resources to spare.
3. What are the risks of Chrome extension?
Privacy is the biggest risk while using an extension in Chrome or any other browser. Malicious extensions can try to access and steal your personal data and continuously track your browsing sessions across websites. So, avoid installing third-party extensions from unknown sources and stick to official sources.
Get Rid of Unnecessary Browser Extensions
It is common to overlook extensions that run when the browser starts but aren’t pinned to the Extensions section in the toolbar. Disable all the extensions that you don’t use regularly but might need a few times a month. This will stop them from consuming system resources and will improve your browser experience.
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