Microsoft Follows Google in Phasing Out uBlock Origin and Other Ad-Blocking Extensions in Edge
Microsoft Follows Google in Phasing Out uBlock Origin and Other Ad-Blocking Extensions in Edge
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Microsoft Follows Google in Phasing Out uBlock Origin and Other Ad-Blocking Extensions in Edge
Users of Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge browsers have recently noticed that extensions based on Manifest V2, including uBlock Origin, are gradually being disabled.
Edge Begins Phasing Out Manifest V2 Extensions
Google began phasing out Manifest V2 extensions as early as June 2024, with a clear timeline for the transition. Now, Microsoft appears to be following suit. According to Neowin, the latest Canary version of Edge has started disabling Manifest V2 extensions, displaying a message stating, “This extension is no longer supported. Microsoft Edge recommends removing it.” While these extensions are automatically disabled, users can still manually re-enable them by clicking on “Manage Extensions.”
At present, Microsoft’s exact plan remains unclear. Unlike Google, which has set a definitive schedule for the transition, Microsoft’s official documentation still lists the deprecation timeline for Manifest V2 as “TBD” (To Be Determined). However, it is evident that Microsoft will eventually discontinue support for these legacy extensions.
Current Impact Limited to Edge Canary
For now, this change only affects Edge Canary, while other versions of Edge—Stable, Beta, and Dev Channel—remain unaffected. Users can still manually re-enable uBlock Origin and other extensions in Canary. Additionally, uBlock Origin continues to be available in the Edge extension store, which has recently undergone significant updates.
In August 2024, when Google first marked uBlock Origin as unsupported, the extension’s developer advised users to switch to uBlock Origin Lite, a Manifest V3-based alternative. However, this version comes with certain functionality limitations. As an alternative, users may also consider switching to Mozilla Firefox, as Mozilla has recently announced continued support for Manifest V2 extensions, including uBlock Origin. Mozilla has stated that its decision aligns with its commitment to ensuring “users have the ability to shape their own internet experience.”
User Options Moving Forward
In response to these changes, users have two main options:
- Switch to a browser that still supports Manifest V2 extensions, such as Firefox.
- Adopt Manifest V3-based ad blockers, though some may have reduced functionality compared to their Manifest V2 counterparts.
Since not all Manifest V2 extensions have modernized alternatives, for many users, sticking with a browser that continues to support these legacy extensions may be the only viable option.
