Microsoft’s new Edge browser can handle a sea of extensions. We explain here in detail how you add them and what the best extensions are for Edge. And along the way we also show a few nice ones.
The new Edge browser is based on Google’s Chrome browser engine. Which means that the program can handle an extensive collection of extensions already existing for Chrome. To find and install an extension, first click the button with the three dots (…) in the top right corner of the toolbar. Then click in the opened menu on Extensions. In fact, Edge can handle two sources of Extensions. One is managed by Microsoft itself, you can reach it via the button Get extensions for Microsoft Edge. In addition, there is the source that lists all Chrome extensions; click on the link for that Chrome Web Store.
Microsoft
As an example we start with the Microsoft source, i.e. click on the button Get extensions for Microsoft Edgen. You land on the page of the Microsoft collection. Browser extensions can be found here per category. As an example, we install the well-known Adblock Plus. Search it via the search field at the top left or click – as is the case with us – directly on the extension if it can be found on the main page, under Most popular. The info page of the chosen extension opens, click on the button To download to start the installation.
In the dialog box, click Add extension and the extension is added. In the case of Adblock Plus, a web page will open on which you can transfer some money to the creators. Do not you want that? Just close the page. You will also see a new – red – button that belongs to the extension in the top right of the toolbar. That’s all.
Chrome
Now it gets interesting. As mentioned, all Chrome extensions are also available for Edge. Click again on the button with the three dots at the top right of the screen, followed by a click on Extensions. This time, in addition to the previously mentioned button and link, you will also see the just installed extension. In other words: all extensions you add appear here. You can turn them on or off and of course remove them completely via the appropriate link. However, we now turn to the Chrome collection of extensions. click on the link Chrome Web Store.
Now pay attention, because to allow extensions from other sources you have to click on Allow extensions from other stores in the blue bar at the top. Click on ter to confirm To allow. Unfortunately, this is an all-or-nothing selection and you cannot give permission per source. In short: from now on you can install an extension from any web page. Don’t do that to avoid misery. Make use of the well-known sources, i.e. either the Microsoft collection or Google’s for Chrome. Extensions can also pose security risks!
Also offline
The Chrome collection offers additional capabilities. For example, on the left, switch the option can be run offline in, you get extensions that work even when you’re not connected to the internet. As an example, we’re going to do just that, or turn that option on. As an example, we now take the Clock for Google Chrome. Just because it was at the very top with us, you can also grab something else. After a click on Clock for Google Chrome an info page appears again; click on the button there add On Chrome and then on Add extension. Microsoft now gives you the option to enable synchronization between computers. We personally wouldn’t do that, because you must be logged in with a Microsoft account for that. But if you are already that and you like to install extensions on all your Windows 10 systems in one go, click on Enable sync. If you prefer not to, close the info panel.
Nice
The clock extension has been added to the toolbar, in the form of a stylized analog clock. By the way, it turns out to be a very handy helper, because when you click on the clock button, a calendar and a larger analog clock appear. You can even add reminders. You will also see a dashed button at the bottom right of the clock-calendar panel (the thing that opens after clicking on the clock). Click on that and you can completely fine-tune the clock and calendar. In short: quite worth installing!
Pay?
A little interlude. Hardly anyone is used to paying for browser extensions. With the Google collection, a different path is taken: you will indeed find paid extensions in it. It is of course entirely your own choice whether you want to use paid extensions. However, keep in mind that if this payment concept catches on, it could become the new norm. An app store for extensions, so to speak. The browser always becomes the place to run your applications. An example of a payment app is Sticky Notes 3. Although it also does its thing for free, you are expected to pay for the full functionality. In fact, it concerns a subscription of a few Euros per month. Although this is a very nice extension, I doubt very much whether it is worth that much money. Subscriptions are increasingly annoying for users, but for creators it provides a constant source of income. It is important for both parties to find a happy medium. And so it is up to you to decide whether you want to pay for an extension that is of interest to you.
Spelling and grammar
In the context of ‘useful extensions’ we would also like to give you the copy called Spelling and Grammar Checker – LanguageTool do not remember. Note the warning after installation: from now on all your typed text will be checked by a server elsewhere. The makers promise that no data will be saved, which is nice. Given the large number of users, some things will be reasonably monitored, gambling. What the extension does after installation is check both spelling and grammar in each fillable part. So, for example, also in an online text editor or word processor, in comment fields, in forums and so on. Reduces the chance that you still make spelling and grammar mistakes in a range of languages.
Misses are indicated by red (spelling error) or orange (grammar error) underlined parts. All in all a very nice tool that certainly also helps you to stand a bit more firmly in foreign languages.
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