Extensions for Microsoft Edge are now ready for testing on the latest preview of Windows 10 for PC. After months of waiting, the software giant is finally including extension support for the Edge browser starting with Windows 10 build 14291, which is rolling out to Insiders through the Fast ring of update.
Initially, the company is only making available three extensions to test, including Microsoft Translator, a Reddit extension, and Mouse Gestures. While extensions will eventually be available through the Store, for now, Insiders will have to download and install each extension manually.
For those unfamiliar, extensions are little programs that allow you personalize and add new features to the web browser, similar to what Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox have been offering for a long time.
Microsoft has also decided to build the support in the same way it works with Chrome to make it easy for developers to port the Chrome extensions over to Edge.
Extensions are currently available for PCs and tablets, and even though there are only three, Microsoft hopes developers will quickly jump in to build new ones. “We’re participating in the W3C Browser Extension Community Group’s efforts to define standardized extension APIs based on familiar web technologies,” the company says.
How to install Microsoft Edge extensions
If you’re interested on testing the first preview of Extensions for Microsoft Edge, you need to enroll your computer in the Insider program and switch to the Fast ring to download the latest preview of Windows 10.
Then do the following:
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Download the extensions from the Microsoft Edge site, and double-click the package to extract the files.
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Launch Microsoft Edge, click the three-dot menu button on the top-right corner.
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Click Extensions.
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Click the Load Extensions button.
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Browse and select the folder with the extension, and click Select folder.
Now the new Extensions should be listed and ready for use.
What do you think about Microsoft Edge extensions? Let us know in the comments below.
Source Microsoft
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].