iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Do not install an extension merely because it has the EditThisCookie name. The original cookie editor disappeared from the Chrome Web Store around late 2024, commonly dated to December. Google’s official reason has not been established in the available reporting. A similarly named replacement was later reported by security-focused guides as malicious, although one news analysis did not find evidence of cookie theft in the particular version it examined. Treat the publisher, permissions, source and maintenance history—not the name—as the deciding evidence.
If you only edit a cookie occasionally, Chrome DevTools can do it without another extension. If you have an old EditThisCookie JSON export, CookieMate and Bokal each state that they can import that format. Verify the exact store listing and permissions before importing anything.
What happened to the original EditThisCookie?
EditThisCookie was a Chrome and Chromium extension for managing browser cookies. Its project materials described a broad feature set: searching and reading cookies, adding and editing values, deleting entries, protecting or blocking cookies, and importing or exporting them. That made it useful for debugging, testing logins and moving selected browser state between profiles, but it also meant the extension could handle highly sensitive session data.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteReviewed guides place the original extension’s removal from the Chrome Web Store in late 2024, with December 2024 often given as the date. The available material does not establish an official Google explanation. Some alternative-provider pages suggest the transition away from Manifest V2 may have played a role, but that is an attributed possibility, not a confirmed reason. A delisting date and a cause are separate claims; the former is reported, while the latter remains unverified here.
#1 Best Overall
- Secure, Private Browsing Anywhere You Go - Protect your personal data with a portable privacy browser that keeps your online activity private and secure. Designed for use on public or shared computers, it helps prevent tracking, data theft, and unwanted access. Ideal for travel, work, or everyday privacy needs.
- All-in-One Privacy Toolkit on a USB Drive - This portable browser combines a private browser, an anonymous browser, and password manager in one convenient solution. Store sensitive files, login credentials, and personal data safely in one place. Everything you need for digital privacy travels with you.
- Built-In Password Manager for Easy Access - Manage and store your usernames and passwords securely with the integrated password manager. Because the portable web browser is private, it does not store any personal data or passwords. Easily import existing login credentials and access them whenever needed. Simplifies secure logins without compromising safety.
- Portable USB Drive with Browser - Includes a 32GB USB drive to securely store files, documents, and personal information. Advanced encryption capability helps protect your data from unauthorized access. Perfect for safeguarding sensitive content on the go.
- Designed for Windows – Simple Plug & Play Setup. Built specifically for Windows computers, ensuring smooth performance and reliable functionality. No complicated installation—just plug in the USB and launch the software instantly. A straightforward, dependable privacy solution for Windows users at home, work, or on the go.
The original site historically stated “over 400,000 users worldwide,” without a publication year on the page. That is a publisher-stated historical figure, not a current install count. A later secondary guide describes the original as having reached around 3 million users, but that estimate is also not independently verified.
Why the similarly named extension deserves caution
A familiar name can make a new listing look like an official continuation. It is not proof of continuity. A publisher can reuse a name, alter the code, change the permissions or simply have no connection with the earlier project.
What the stronger allegations say
Bokal’s guide reports that a namesake clone harvested credentials and session tokens and displayed phishing content. The guide also reports that the clone had exceeded 50,000 users before removal. Those are claims from a provider-authored account, not an independent audit supplied with the original project.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Why the reports are not identical
AS.com reported on an examination by security analyst Eric Parker in which he did not find evidence of cookie theft in the version he inspected, while still identifying capabilities he considered suspicious. That does not make the extension trustworthy; it means the reviewed evidence does not prove every specific theft allegation for every version. Malware behavior can vary by release, account, configuration and server response.
The practical conclusion is narrower and more useful than a blanket verdict: do not infer safety from the EditThisCookie name, user count or a store presence. Check the exact publisher, requested access, code availability and recent maintenance before granting an extension access to browser data.
What is currently listed as “EditThisCookie (V3)”?
The Chrome Web Store currently shows an entry named EditThisCookie (V3). The listing identifies version 3.0.5 and says it was updated September 12, 2025. At the time of the 2026 review, the listing displayed 400,000 users. Those details describe the current listing only; they do not prove that it is the same project as the delisted original or that it has inherited the original’s code, team or security history.
Use the listing as a place to collect evidence, not as an independent safety certification. Read the publisher name exactly as shown, open the privacy disclosures, inspect every requested permission and look for a linked source repository. Compare the dates of releases and issue activity with the features the extension claims to provide. A store review count or a label such as “open source” cannot substitute for reviewing the actual publisher and access scope.
Rank #2
- Protect Your Internet Privacy and Take Your Portable Private Browser with You and Use it on Other Computers Without Fear of Leaving Personal Information Like Usernames/Passwords and Browsing History Behind
- 32GB USB Drive Stores Your Private Browser, Anonymous Browser, Password Manager, and Personal Documents on One Convenient Drive
- Encrypt Your Entire Cloakey Drive to Protect Your Personal Data (Encryption Only Available on Some Versions of Windows)
- Perfect for Travel, Business Centers, Libraries, or Public or Personal Computer You Use
- Use the Built-in Password Manager or Automatically Import Usernames and Passwords from Your PC - Use the Encryption to Ensure Your Data Stays Private
Choose the replacement that matches your task
There is no single best substitute. The right choice depends on whether you need one quick edit, frequent bulk work or migration from an existing backup.
| Option | Best fit | Migration | Access and provenance checks | Maintenance information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chrome DevTools | Occasional inspection or editing without installing an extension | No EditThisCookie JSON import | Uses the browser’s built-in developer tools; no additional extension publisher to trust | Provided by Chrome; the comparison source describes it as less convenient for frequent bulk work |
| CookieMate | Readers who need an extension and an EditThisCookie-compatible backup import | The Chrome Web Store listing states that it imports and exports EditThisCookie-compatible JSON | Review the listing’s publisher, permissions and privacy statements; these are developer disclosures, not independent verification | Check the listing’s current release date and repository, if supplied |
| Bokal | Users who want an MV3 extension with optional per-site access | Bokal’s developer guide describes EditThisCookie JSON import | The guide explains its permission scope and identifies the project as GPL-3.0; confirm the current store publisher and manifest yourself | Use the guide and release history to judge whether maintenance is current |
| EditThisCookie (V3) | Users considering the current listing with the familiar name | Not established by the listing details summarized here | Inspect the exact publisher, permissions and privacy disclosures; the name does not establish continuity | Version 3.0.5, updated September 12, 2025, according to the listing |
Use Chrome DevTools when you only need a quick edit
For an occasional change, the least complicated route is to avoid adding an extension. A vendor-authored comparison describes Chrome DevTools’ Application panel as a way to edit cookies, while noting that extensions are more convenient for searching across many entries or migrating data.
- Open the page whose cookies you need to inspect.
- Open Chrome DevTools from the browser menu or with the usual developer-tools shortcut.
- Select the Application panel.
- In the storage area, open Cookies and choose the relevant site.
- Inspect the cookie’s name, value, domain, path, expiry and security attributes. Change only the field required for your test.
- Reload the page and verify the result. If the site signs you out or rejects the cookie, restore the previous value or remove the test cookie.
DevTools does not provide an EditThisCookie-compatible JSON migration workflow. It is therefore a poor fit for moving a large saved collection or repeatedly editing cookies across many sites.
How to migrate an old EditThisCookie JSON backup
Migration is possible only if you already have an export file. Do not download a purported backup from an unknown source, and do not assume that a replacement will recover cookies that were never exported.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
1. Preserve the original file
Make a read-only copy of the JSON file and keep it in a secure location. Cookie exports can contain active session tokens; anyone who obtains one may be able to impersonate a logged-in browser session until the token expires or is revoked. Do not paste the file into a public issue, chat or online converter.
2. Verify the replacement before importing
- Confirm the exact publisher shown in the Chrome Web Store.
- Read the complete permissions list and ask whether each permission is necessary for your use.
- Review the privacy disclosure and any linked source repository.
- Check when the extension was last updated and whether the project explains its release history.
- Install only from the store listing or publisher-controlled page you have verified.
3. Import into a compatible extension
CookieMate’s listing says it accepts EditThisCookie-compatible JSON. Bokal’s guide likewise describes importing the old JSON format. Follow the import control supplied by the chosen extension and select only the copy you preserved. The compatibility statements come from the respective developers; they are not independent tests of every possible export.
4. Test with a limited account or profile
After import, check one or two non-critical sites first. Some cookies may have expired, depend on a particular domain or path, be bound to device characteristics, or require a matching secure context. A successful import does not guarantee that every session will remain valid. Sign in again rather than weakening browser security when a site rejects an imported cookie.
Rank #3
- 1.Secure browser. Private browse the web without leaving any browser history data
- 2.Supports Adobe Flash Player
- 3.Fast Start-up & browsing & fast download files
- 4.Offline mode to browse the downloaded web page
- 5.Popular quick search engine: Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other default search engine
5. Revoke exposed sessions if the file may have leaked
If the JSON was ever uploaded, emailed to the wrong person or handled by an untrusted extension, treat the affected sessions as exposed. Sign out of the relevant service on all devices, change the account password where appropriate and regenerate recovery codes or tokens. Cookie editors can change session state; they are not a safe place to store long-term credentials.
Recommended Free Tools
An install-checklist for any cookie editor
- Publisher: Match the exact developer identity in the store listing with the project’s official documentation. Similar spelling is not confirmation.
- Permissions: Understand whether the extension can read or modify data on all sites, selected sites or only when invoked. Prefer the narrowest scope that supports your task.
- Source: If a repository is offered, check whether it is linked by the publisher and whether releases correspond with the store version. Source availability is useful evidence, not proof that the packaged code is identical or safe.
- Maintenance: Look for recent releases, a clear changelog and responses to security issues. A recent update alone does not establish good security, but an abandoned project deserves extra caution.
- Privacy: Read what data the developer says it collects, where it is sent and whether that statement covers cookie values or browsing activity.
- Purpose: Remove the extension when the task is finished if you only needed a one-time edit. Keeping a high-access extension installed increases the period during which a compromised update could matter.
Common mistakes and how to recover
Installing the first search result
Store search results can contain names that resemble a discontinued project. Stop the installation, open the full listing and compare the publisher, permissions and update history. If those details are unclear, use DevTools for a one-off edit instead.
Assuming a store listing is an audit
Chrome’s publication process and a developer’s privacy declaration are not a guarantee that an extension is harmless. Treat them as evidence to review alongside code availability, maintenance and the minimum access needed.
Importing a full historical backup unnecessarily
A JSON export may include cookies for many unrelated accounts. Create a smaller working copy when possible and import only what the task requires. Delete temporary copies after confirming that the migration worked.
Concluding that a failed login means the migration was unsafe
Cookies expire and can be tied to domain, path, secure and same-site settings. First check those attributes and the service’s normal sign-in flow. If the file’s provenance is uncertain, stop using it and rotate the affected sessions rather than repeatedly importing it.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Bottom line
The original EditThisCookie was a capable cookie-management tool, but it was delisted around late 2024 and the reason is not confirmed in the available evidence. Reports about a similarly named clone include serious credential and session-token allegations, while another analysis did not observe cookie theft in the version it examined. That disagreement is precisely why the name is not a security signal. Use Chrome DevTools for occasional edits; for migration, consider a replacement that explicitly documents EditThisCookie JSON compatibility, then verify its publisher, permissions, privacy terms and maintenance before granting access.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
