Microsoft Edge Ad-Ons Extensions – Do you Really Need?
Here is a pro guide about using Ad-Ons (extensions) in Microsoft Edge. → Watch Video Tutorial below.
How to Hide/Show Extensions Button in Microsoft Edge Browser?
Navigation Path: ‘Settings and More’ (or press Alt+F) → Settings → Appearance → Select which buttons to show on the toolbar: → Extensions button.
Click on drop-down button to select appropriate option, either to display or hide the extension button in tool bar of Microsoft Edge browser.
Please follow this link to explore, search and get extensions in Edge browser, follow below link.
Do you Really Need to Add Extensions in Edge Browser?
Most of the time, No.
For example, you do not need any weather-related extensions because weather report is already built-in the browser feature which you can see in browser home page or at the taskbar in lower right corner of screen.
You may need an Ad Blocker extension but even this is not required as you can perform almost same level settings inside web browser through privacy and security settings.
For another example, you may be tempted to get Add-On (extension) of ‘Full Page Screenshot Capture – Screenshotting’ or ‘Take Webpage Screenshots Entirely – FireShot’ extension but in fact you can get exactly same function through Web Capture tool in Edge settings.
Similarly, you get almost all features of Grammarly extension in MS Word, especially if you have subscribed to Microsoft 365.
Many people install ‘dark mode’ extensions to view webpages background in dark color. However, you may not need to use such extensions. In Windows computer click ‘Start’ on bottom left → Settings → Ease of access → Color filters. Here you can select ‘Grayscale inverted’ option to view webpages in dark background and light text in Edge browser window.
On the ‘Easy of Access’ page in computer settings, you also have another best option for dark mode, by turning ON ‘High contrast’ toggle button.
Similarly, you can turn ON ‘Narrator’ in Ease of Access’ settings of your Windows computer, instead of installing some text to speech browser extension.
Some extensions in browser, may be helpful for some, the example is a VPN extension.
I personally do not like extensions. Most extensions are provided by third parties, and they collect data including your browsing. So, extensions may become a privacy or security hazard even if you are using browser in InPrivate mode.
Microsoft clearly says that Microsoft Edge cannot prevent extensions from saving your browsing history while browsing InPrivate. [RD]
Sometimes, extensions breach your privacy and even security.
In another document, Microsoft says that Microsoft shares the aggregated data with the developers of the extension. [RD]
According to web consortium, an extension falls outside of browser confinement and may steal user’s files. [RD]
Therefore, it is quite wise to use in-built features provided by Microsoft Edge, instead of mindlessly adding extensions in browser. After all, Microsoft is a trusted entity, and we should have no issue sharing our data with Microsoft by using their product the Edge browser. However, sharing your data with extensions may not seem wise. Please keep in mind that privacy policy of an extension is not governed by privacy policy of Edge.
How to Add Extensions from Chrome Web Store to Edge Browser?
You can now add extensions from Google Chrome to your Microsoft Edge browser.
To do this you need to perform a little tweak in settings.
Open edge://extensions/ link in Edge browser and hit Enter to access Extensions page in Edge browser. There, turn ON the toggle button next to ‘Allow extensions from other stores’ option. Edge will now enable you to add extensions directly from Chrome web store.
My Favorite Edge Extensions for Edge Browser
Microsoft Editor: Spelling & Grammar Checker: It is a best alternative to Grammarly. You can get the extension at this link. It is now included built-in in Edge browser.
Dark Reader: For those who want to see websites in dark mode for eye protection.
Microsoft Rewards: Get rewards for using Microsoft services such as Bing and Edge browser.
Office: view or edit your Office documents, by accessing directly in browser through a button in toolbar.
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