The Tool Desk
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The quickest method is to open edge://extensions. The same page is also available through the Extensions menu or Edge’s main menu.
How to enable or disable an Edge extension
These steps apply to Microsoft Edge on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
- Open Microsoft Edge.
- Enter
edge://extensionsin the address bar and press Enter. - Find the extension you want to control.
- Use the toggle beside the extension to turn it on or off.
When the toggle is on, Edge can load the extension. When it is off, the extension remains installed but is disabled. You do not normally need to reinstall it to use it again.
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Open the extensions page from Edge’s menus
If you prefer using the interface rather than entering an internal Edge address:
- Select the Extensions button, shown as a puzzle-piece icon to the right of the address bar.
- Select Manage extensions.
- Switch the toggle beside the required extension.
If the puzzle-piece icon is not visible, select Settings and more (…) in the upper-right corner, choose Extensions, and then select Manage extensions.
How to re-enable an extension Edge turned off
Edge can disable an extension when it detects that the extension is attempting to change important browser settings without permission. Examples include the default search engine, the new-tab page, or site preferences. This is a security and privacy safeguard; it does not necessarily mean that the extension failed to install.
- Open
edge://extensions, or go to Settings and more (…) > Extensions > Manage extensions. - Locate the extension marked as disabled.
- Turn on its toggle.
If Edge immediately disables it again, check the extension’s permissions, update Edge, and confirm that the extension is compatible with your installed version. An extension that continues trying to change protected settings may not be safe or suitable to re-enable.
Change an extension’s website access
An extension can be enabled but still appear not to work because it lacks permission to access the current website. You can restrict or expand that access without disabling the extension completely.
- Open
edge://extensions. - Select Details for the extension.
- Scroll to Site access.
- Choose the access level or adjust the available site permissions.
Depending on your Edge build and the extension, the choices can include:
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| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| When you click the extension | Allows access only after you select the extension for the current tab or site. |
| On [current site] | Allows the extension to work automatically on the site currently open. |
| On all sites | Allows automatic access across websites. |
You can also open the Extensions menu, select More actions (…) next to an extension, point to This can read and change site data, and choose an access level.
Under Details > Site access, Edge may also show controls for Automatically allow access on the following sites, Allow in InPrivate, and Allow access to file URLs. Grant only the access the extension needs, particularly when it can read or change data on every website.
Allow an extension to work in InPrivate
An enabled extension does not automatically run in an InPrivate window. To allow it:
- Go to
edge://extensions. - Select Details for the extension.
- Under Site access, turn on Allow in InPrivate.
Use this permission carefully. Microsoft notes that extensions can save browsing history during InPrivate browsing; InPrivate does not prevent an extension from recording activity.
What to do when an enabled extension does not work
Work through these checks in order:
- Check the toggle: Open
edge://extensionsand confirm that the extension is enabled. - Check site access: Open Details > Site access and allow access on the current site, or select On all sites if that is appropriate.
- Check InPrivate permission: If the problem occurs only in an InPrivate window, enable Allow in InPrivate.
- Refresh the page: Some extensions do not affect a page that was already open when the extension was enabled or its permissions changed.
- Disable and re-enable it: Switch it off, wait a few seconds, and switch it back on.
- Check for updates: Review the extension’s page in Edge Add-ons or its original store and install any available update.
- Update Edge: Open
edge://settings/helpand let Edge check for browser updates. - Restart Edge: Close all Edge windows and open the browser again.
- Reinstall only if necessary: Remove and reinstall the extension if it remains missing or unusable. Review its requested permissions before installing it again.
When an extension is missing from the Extensions menu
Open edge://extensions and check whether the extension is installed and enabled. If it is enabled but does not appear in the puzzle-piece menu, restart Edge. If that does not help, reinstall the extension from a trusted store.
Also check whether the extension is hidden from the toolbar. The extension can still be installed and active even when its shortcut is not displayed beside the address bar.
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Extensions managed by an organization
If you see a briefcase icon beside an extension on edge://extensions, Edge is indicating that the extension is managed by your organization. A work or school administrator may have installed it, forced it on, or prevented users from changing or removing it.
To inspect policies applied to Edge, enter edge://policy in the address bar. Extension-related policies can include ExtensionSettings and ExtensionInstallForcelist. If the device belongs to an employer or school, contact its IT department before attempting to change the extension or its policy.
On a personally owned Windows computer, unwanted policies can sometimes be left behind by security software or unwanted programs. Microsoft documents these Registry locations:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftEdge
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftEdgeMicrosoft also documents the following commands, run from an elevated PowerShell window or Command Prompt, to delete the machine-level and user-level Edge policy branches:
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reg delete HKCUSOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftEdge /f
reg delete HKLMSOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftEdge /fWarning: These commands remove the entire corresponding Edge policy branch, not just one extension setting. Back up important data and do not run them on a managed computer without permission.
Install an extension from another store
Edge supports compatible extensions from the Chrome Web Store as well as Microsoft’s Edge Add-ons store.
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- Less Noise, More Focus: Silent mouse with 90% reduced click sound and the same click feel, eliminating noise and distractions for you and others around you (1)
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- Open the Chrome Web Store in Edge.
- Select Allow extensions from other stores in the banner, if displayed.
- Open the extension’s listing and select Add to Chrome.
- Review the requested permissions and select Add extension.
- Open
edge://extensionsand verify that the new extension is enabled.
Do not assume that an extension is trustworthy because it is available in a store. Check its publisher, requested permissions, reviews, and update history.
Developer-mode extensions
Extensions installed by sideloading or through developer mode may trigger a developer-mode notification in Edge. Developer mode allows extensions that have not been verified or certified by Microsoft, so it carries additional security and privacy risk.
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Microsoft says that this notification cannot normally be dismissed in the stable version of Edge. Developers who need to test sideloaded extensions can use the Edge Dev or Canary channel instead of using the stable browser for day-to-day browsing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Disable versus remove: what is the difference?
| Action | Result |
|---|---|
| Disable | Leaves the extension installed but stops it from running. You can enable it again later. |
| Remove | Uninstalls the extension from Edge. You may need to install it again to use it. |
| Restrict site access | Leaves the extension enabled but limits the websites or situations in which it can operate. |
Disabling is the better first step when troubleshooting. Remove an extension when you no longer trust it, no longer need it, or cannot identify why it has broad permissions.
FAQ
Where is the Extensions page in Microsoft Edge?
Enter edge://extensions in the address bar and press Enter. You can also select the puzzle-piece Extensions icon, choose Manage extensions, or use Settings and more (…) > Extensions > Manage extensions.
Does disabling an Edge extension uninstall it?
No. Disabling switches the extension off but leaves it installed. Turn its toggle on again from edge://extensions to re-enable it.
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- Comfortable, Travel-Ready Design: This Bluetooth travel mouse is lightweight and fits in any bag; its contoured, ambidextrous shape is comfortable for both left and right hands
- Works on a Variety of Surfaces: With precise line-by-line scrolling and optical tracking; the M196 Wireless Bluetooth Mouse provides smooth and accurate cursor control on nearly any surface
- Made to Last With Recycled Plastic: The plastic parts in the M196 contain certified post-consumer recycled plastic (67% for Graphite and 66% for Off-White and Rose (2))
- 12-Month Battery Life: Enjoy a reliable 12-month battery life (1) and auto sleep feature for longer use between battery changes; 1 AA battery included
Why did Microsoft Edge disable my extension?
Edge may automatically turn off an extension that tries to change protected browser settings, such as the search engine or new-tab page, without permission. Check the extension’s permissions and compatibility before enabling it again.
Why does an extension work in normal browsing but not InPrivate?
Extensions require separate permission to run in InPrivate. Open the extension’s Details page, find Site access, and turn on Allow in InPrivate.
Can Edge use Chrome extensions?
Yes. Open the Chrome Web Store in Edge, select Allow extensions from other stores, choose an extension, select Add to Chrome, review its permissions, and select Add extension.
How can I remove an extension that my organization controls?
A briefcase icon indicates that the extension is managed by your organization. Check edge://policy for applied policies and contact your organization’s IT department. Do not remove policies from a work or school computer without authorization.
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The Bottom Line
For most cases, open edge://extensions and use the toggle beside the extension. If it is enabled but does not work, check Details > Site access, including the separate InPrivate permission. Treat extensions with broad website access, developer-mode warnings, or organization policies with extra caution.
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