New Information about Microsoft Edge Extensions

Martin Brinkmann
Mar 13, 2016
Updated • Jul 5, 2017
Microsoft Edge, Windows
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A leaked Store entry of the first Microsoft Edge extension revealed interesting information about upcoming extensions support of Windows 10's default browser.

The store entry of the extension Page Analyzer is hidden from the Store application on Windows 10, the Microsoft Store website, and search engines currently which means that it cannot be opened unless you have the direct link.

The site that leaked the news, Windows Blog Italia, did not reveal the link unfortunately which means that we have to rely on the information they provide instead.

Microsoft Edge Extensions

So what does the Page Analyzer store entry reveal about upcoming extensions support in Microsoft Edge?

  1. Extensions will be made available via Windows Store. It is unclear right now if they are offered there exclusively, or if extensions can also be downloaded directly from Microsoft's website. All things considered, the most likely scenario is that extensions can only be downloaded using the Windows Store application but are listed and linked on Microsoft's Store website just like apps are.
  2. Installation works like any application installation on Windows 10. Simply click on the "install button" to have it downloaded and added to Microsoft Edge on the system.
  3. Extensions that are installed via the Store get their own Start Menu entry, and it is possible to load them directly using the Start Menu (I suppose Edge gets opened if it is a generic extension but we don't know that yet).
  4. Extensions do support ARM processors which indicates that they may be available for Edge on Windows 10 Mobile as well.
  5. According to Windows Blog Italia, extensions may add icons to the main toolbar of the browser at the top.

The rumor mill suggests that Microsoft will include extension support in one of the next Windows 10 Insider Builds which is expected to be pushed out soon by the company.

Names of extensions that are likely part of the first wave of extensions available for Edge leaked earlier, and one should expect Pinterest, Reddit Enhancement Suite, Page Analyzer and AdBlock among the first batch of extensions for the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary
New Information about Microsoft Edge Extensions
Article Name
New Information about Microsoft Edge Extensions
Description
A leaked Windows Store page revealed new information about extensions in Microsoft Edge, the default Windows 10 web browser.
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Ghacks Technology News
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Comments

  1. DD-Indeed said on April 19, 2016 at 7:03 pm
    Reply

    Edge is gonna be a great browser, once we get the adblock extension to it. I already find it to be faster than Firefox on many things and a lot more smoother and particulary, you don’t need to have flash player on it separately. I know, Chrome is much more popular, but that doesn’t mean, that Edge don’t have any chance against it. One other thing I like in Edge is the simple looks and thick tab bar. But of course, that’s just my opinion. :)

  2. Corky said on March 14, 2016 at 6:41 pm
    Reply

    If Microsoft’s past attempts at extensions is anything to go by i can’t see these being any different, most people don’t even know IE supports extensions because of the awful way they were implemented.

  3. EuroScept1C said on March 14, 2016 at 5:29 pm
    Reply

    Dammit, when I installed Win 10, the first thing I did is to uninstall all apps and store. I won’t be able to get an adblocking extension for Edge. Any easy way to reinstall the store? If I get a decent ad blocking and mouse gestures extensions, I’ll jump to Edge as my main browser. The most efficient browser out there. Only the font rendering is a bit ugly, though. Fx and Chromium based ones have extremely good font rendering, which is fundamental part in my opinion.

    1. Martin Brinkmann said on March 14, 2016 at 5:32 pm
      Reply

      We don’t know yet for sure if Windows Store will be the only option to get Edge extensions, maybe there will be another way.

  4. Aaron said on March 14, 2016 at 12:42 pm
    Reply

    “Extensions will be made available via Windows Store. It is unclear right now if they are offered there exclusively, or if extensions can also be downloaded directly from Microsoft’s website. All things considered, the most likely scenario is that extensions can only be downloaded using the Windows Store application but are listed and linked on Microsoft’s Store website just like apps are.”

    Another bonehead move by Microsoft. They need to take lessons from Opera. You can install Google Chrome extensions in Opera directly from Google. Alas I’m sure the reason is to try to drive people to the Microsoft Store. Rather than doing that, however, it’ll just keep Edge in the lower echelon of browser’s being used, just like not making Edge available on Windows 7 or OS X.

  5. George said on March 13, 2016 at 11:09 pm
    Reply

    A browser that will soon support extensions? A preview of the stunning first extension? Amazing news from Microsoft… bit late, though.

  6. Dave said on March 13, 2016 at 10:00 pm
    Reply

    Oooh a locked down store where extensions have to be hosted. I’m SURE all kinds of really useful extensions will appear under Microsoft’s liberal policies.

    1. Solidstate said on March 15, 2016 at 12:37 am
      Reply

      Yeah, if only they would follow Chrome’s model…oh, wait. That’s exactly what they’re doing.

    2. Decent60 said on March 14, 2016 at 1:45 am
      Reply

      I’m more curious as to WHO is gonna use it the store for this stuff lol
      If past support for Microsoft browsers are a baseline, I’m sure 20% of all the current extensions/addons may go to Edge. I can’t see hardly any of them wanting to make that transition.

    3. Andrew said on March 14, 2016 at 12:41 am
      Reply

      Wait… I sense sarcasm… what browser extension ‘store’ isn’t locked down?

    4. Neal said on March 14, 2016 at 12:22 am
      Reply

      If the Windows store is anything to by, it will be a cesspool of adware/malware and copyright infringing extensions. Kind of like how Google extensions store is like now except a lot worse b/c MS for some reason can’t curate worth anything.

  7. Barış Ünver said on March 13, 2016 at 7:53 pm
    Reply

    It’s about time. I’ve registered two domains for Edge extensions (edgeextensions and edgeplugins dot com) about a year ago, and they’re finally ready to be used (or sold, I dunno). Me likey this news.

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