Microsoft Edge’s New Add-ons Site: A Game Changer for Extension Lovers!

One advantage of Microsoft Edge undergoing a refresh a few years ago was the integration of support for Chrome extension usage. However, while you can source extensions compatible with Edge via the Chrome Web Store, this doesn’t necessarily imply that Microsoft encourages this practice. In fact, Microsoft has refurbished its Edge Add-ons site to enhance navigation ease.

The new Edge Add-on site is rolling out gradually, so you may not see it yet.

In a recent blog post, Microsoft is thrilled to share the debut of their revamped Edge Add-ons site. This updated platform aims to elevate your browsing experience by offering extensions and themes that can be easily found and obtained. The new design emphasizes a modern, functional, and interactive store layout to facilitate a smoother process in discovering and acquiring these valuable add-ons.

In the updated Edge Add-ons site, there are improved suggestions that pop up as you start typing. These suggestions come with an installed-on-the-spot “Get” button, eliminating the need to navigate away from the current page for installation of the extension.

Search results can now be filtered by product type, category, ratings, and other options.

Improving the discovery of themes will be more straightforward since they’ve been better sorted out. I wish Microsoft would apply a similar approach to the themes available in their store, as the current arrangement leaves much to be desired – it’s disorganized, lacking clear categories, and mirrors the layout of their retired free wallpaper site.

Can Microsoft Edge run Google Chrome extensions?

For certain users, the Edge Add-ons site may seem unnecessary since Microsoft Edge can run Google Chrome extensions. Consequently, some individuals opt to obtain extensions for Edge through the Chrome Web Store. However, if you’re partial to Microsoft’s user interface or aiming to eliminate Google entirely from your digital life, the Edge Add-on store stands as an alternative option for you.

Developers typically create extensions exclusively for Google Chrome (available via the Chrome Web Store) because it has a larger user base than Microsoft Edge. However, if an extension is designed for Chrome, it can still be used on Edge and various other Chromium-based browsers by downloading it from the Chrome Web Store first.

In contrast to Microsoft Edge, Chrome dominates a larger portion of the market; however, it’s important to note that Google manages Chrome. This means if Google restricts an extension like uBlock Origin from functioning, your best bet to keep using this extension might be switching to another browser for the time being. At present, uBlock Origin is compatible with Edge, but this could potentially change in the future.

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2025-02-21 21:12