How to disable or remove browser extensions

Updated: 05/03/2022 by Computer Hope
Internet browsers

Most web browsers allow you to install extensions, also called add-ons, or plugins, that add features or functionality to your browser and enhance or modify the way websites are displayed. An example of a browser extension is AdBlock or uBlock Origin for removing advertisements from websites.

If you installed an extension in your web browser or have an extension from a third-party software developer that you don't want, you can disable or remove it. Select your browser from the list below and follow the instructions to remove unwanted extensions.

Tip

Some web browsers offer a Safe Mode option that temporarily disables all extensions. For more information, see: How to open a browser in Safe Mode.

Google Chrome

Chrome logo
  1. Open Google Chrome.
  2. Click the Customize and control Google Chrome icon in the window's upper-right corner.
  3. In the menu, select More tools.

More tools selector in Chrome.

  1. Select Extensions from the side menu.

Extensions selector in Chrome.

  1. In the Extensions tab that opens, there are several cards in the middle.

Disable an extension

To disable an extension, locate its card and click the blue toggle switch Chrome toggle off, changing it to Chrome toggle off gray.

Disabled extension in Chrome.

Remove an extension

To remove an extension, locate its card and click the Remove button.

Remove extension button in Chrome.

Firefox

Firefox logo
  1. Open Mozilla Firefox.
  2. In the upper-right corner of the window, click the Open menu icon.
  3. In the drop-down menu, select Add-ons and themes.
  4. On the left side of the Add-ons Manager tab, click Extensions.

Extensions selector in Firefox.

  1. In the center of the screen, the extensions are listed under Manage Your Extensions.

List of extensions in Firefox.

Disable an extension

Locate the extension you want to disable. Then, click the blue toggle switch Firefox toggle off on the right side, changing it to Firefox toggle off gray.

Remove an extension

Locate the extension you want to remove. On the right side, click the icon and select Remove from the drop-down menu.

Remove selector in Firefox.

Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge logo
  1. Open Microsoft Edge.
  2. Click the Settings and more icon in the upper-right corner of the browser window.
  3. In the drop-down menu, select Extensions.

Extensions selector in Edge.

  1. Select Manage extensions on the prompt.

Manage extensions selector in Edge.

  1. In the center of the screen, the extensions are listed under Installed extensions.

List of extensions in Edge.

Disable an extension

Locate the extension you want to disable. Then, click the blue toggle switch Edge toggle off on the right side, changing it to Edge toggle off white.

Remove an extension

Locate the extension you want to remove. On the left side, click Remove. Then, click the Remove button in the prompt.

Remove extension

Microsoft Edge Legacy

Microsoft Edge Legacy logo
  1. Open Microsoft Edge Legacy.
  2. Select More from the upper-right corner of the screen.
  3. In the drop-down menu, click Extensions.

Edge legacy extensions menu

Disable an extension

Locate the extension you want to disable. Then, click the blue toggle switch Edge toggle on on the right side, changing it to Edge toggle off white or light gray.

Edge disable extensions

Remove an extension

  1. Hover your mouse pointer over the extension, then click the gear icon in the upper-right corner.

Edge extensions gear

  1. To remove the extension, click Uninstall.

Edge uninstall extension

  1. In the Uninstall Extension confirmation box, click Ok.

Confirm uninstall extension

Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer logo
  1. Open Internet Explorer.
  2. In the upper-right corner, click the gear icon.
  3. In the menu drop-down menu, select Manage add-ons.

Manage add-ons selector in Internet Explorer.

  1. In the Manage Add-ons window, click Toolbars and extensions on the left side.

Toolbars and extensions selector in Internet Explorer.

  1. In the center of the window, find the add-on you want to disable.
  2. Click the add-on to select it, then click the Disable button at the bottom-right of the window.

Internet Explorer add-on window

Note

To remove an Internet Explorer add-on, you can try uninstalling it through the Add/Remove programs feature in Windows. If the add-on is not listed, find the location on your computer where the files are installed, and delete them manually.

Safari

Safari logo
  1. In the Apple menu bar, click the Safari selector selector.
  2. Select Settings... from the drop-down menu.

Safari Settings selector.

  1. In the window that opens, click the Extensions tab.
  2. Uncheck any boxes next to the extensions you want to disable on the left.
  3. To remove the extension, select the extension name on the left, then click the Uninstall button.

Safari extensions

Opera

Opera logo
  1. Open Opera.
  2. Click the Opera Menu button in Opera. icon in the upper-left corner.
  3. Select Extensions, then Extensions again.
  4. In the center of the screen, the extensions are listed under the All tab.

Disable an extension

To disable an extension, click the Disable button, or click the blue toggle switch Opera toggle on, changing it to Opera toggle off gray.

Opera disable extension

Remove an extension

To remove an extension, click the X in the upper-right corner.

Opera remove extension

Note

The built-in Opera AdBlocker extension can be disabled but cannot be removed.