With the release of the long-awaited tenth version of Windows, many users immediately noticed a huge number of innovations. In particular, many were pleased with the new Edge web browser. The expansion of its capabilities compared to the same Internet Explorer or even other powerful browsers of our time has exceeded all expectations, and the browser itself has firmly established itself in the top three. However, the issue of installing add-ons remained open until a certain time.

Extensions for Microsoft Edge: Preview

As it turns out, extensions were not initially supported in Edge. By and large, they simply did not exist, because, as a rule, they are developed by other companies, and not by the corporation that produces the main software.

But over time they still appeared. The first product was the Translator add-on, which supported automatic translation of pages into 50 languages. Then the Reddit Enhancement Suite was added to provide more tools for browsing the web. The extension for recognizing mouse gestures looked no less interesting. Only then did add-ons such as AdBlock, Amazon, Evernote, LastPass, etc. appear.

But at first they were available only to those users and developers who joined the Insider Preview testing program. At the moment, any available Edge extension can be used even by an ordinary user with Windows 10 build 14291 Redstone (Anniversary Update) installed.

Installation from the “Store”

How to install Microsoft Edge extensions from the Store? At the moment, installation of additional components in the Edge browser can be done in two main ways: using the “Store” or installing them in developer mode. The first option is suitable for all users without exception.

Before deciding how to open extensions in Microsoft Edge, you should click the ellipsis button in the browser, which is located on the right, in the corner of the window, then select the line of extensions, and in the section itself, click on the link to get them from the “Store”.

After entering the repository, to install the selected extension, click on the free installation button. Then the download will occur, and an enable button will appear in the description and installation window for the add-on in the browser itself.

Installing extensions in developer mode

Those who have joined the testing program, or even regular users, may do things a little differently. Again, first launch the Edge browser. The extension that needs to be installed may not be in the official repository, so you will have to use a different procedure.

First, you should write about:flags in the address bar, and in the new window, find the line to enable developer mode, where you need to check the box. Please note the warning that installing some additional extensions may expose your system to risk.

After this, as in the previous example, you need to click the button with three dots, go to the extensions section, but no longer use the download from the “Store”, but immediately click the download button. Next, you will be asked to select the directory in which to save the downloadable distribution. When the download is complete, a pop-up panel will appear at the bottom, in which you can click the button to run the downloaded file or open it in the directory for self-installation. In any case, after starting the executable file, the package will be installed on the system, after which all that remains is to activate the extensions in the browser.

Extensions for Microsoft Edge: Where is the main folder?

Now, diverging a little from the main topic, let's see where you can find the extensions themselves and other Edge browser data. The developers of Windows 10 acted quite unconventionally, hiding all this away from the user’s eyes. They are not in the supposed folder with programs (Program Files). In fact, all the files of the Edge browser itself are located in the SystemApps directory, located in the main system directory (Windows).

But installed extensions are stored in user account folders. Here, to find them, you need to first use the AppData directory and then navigate to the Local directory. There is a Packages folder in it, and this is where all the add-ons are located.

Here you should take into account that the AppData directory may be hidden, so initially you need to set the display of such objects in the view menu. To avoid having to deal with such procedures, you can immediately enter the full path to the desired directory in the search field, highlighting it on both sides with a percent symbol (%).

Activating extensions

Finally, let's see how to enable extensions in Microsoft Edge. In principle, you can activate them immediately after installation from the “Store”, especially since a window will appear in the browser with a message that the user has a new installed add-on.

If the user initially decided to leave the activation of the add-on for another time, you can enable it from the same extensions menu that was used for installation. In general, the operation is practically no different from the actions performed in other browsers like Google Chrome or Opera.

Instead of a total

That's all there is to it about the Edge browser. The extension selected by the user, as is already clear, can be installed in two simple ways, and the issue of activation (activation) is a matter of choice. As for the add-ons themselves, there are currently 16 of them available in the Store. However, as stated, their number will constantly grow and be supplemented with new extensions that will increase the already good capabilities of the browser.

For now, we can only guess what else can be offered, but from what is already there, you can choose something most suitable. And one last piece of advice: don’t install everything at once (this applies to all browsers, not just Edge). Very often, too many active add-ons can cause the browser to not work, so choose, install and activate only what you really need (for example, translator, online office, ad blocker, password manager, etc.). If the user is not involved in development, then he does not need such tools at all (Page Analyzer). In addition, the operation of some add-ons can increase the load on system resources, consuming too much RAM and unnecessarily loading the central processor. This also needs to be taken into account.

If you want the best VPN for Edge browser, factors such as internet speed, performance, the strength of the encryption, privacy policy, pricing, free trials and legal jurisdiction will help you make an informed decision.

Since you’re looking for a security software to help you as you while protected, you need to make sure you get the best VPN tool to work with.

What are the best VPN services for Edge?

NordVPN (recommended)

If you’re looking for tight, extra security, then NordVPN is your best VPN for Edge browser.

This VPN comes with DNS leak protection, kill switch, double-hop and auto connect that makes it a favorite among its users.

It can be used on other devices besides your Windows PC, though it can be slower than other VPNs because of its extra security features.

Some of its salient features include a strong OpenVPN that’s encrypted with several security options, plus its speed allows you to stream well in HD so its not really that slow.

NordVPN also gives you good value for your money backed by a 30-day money back guarantee and amazing customer care.

It has over 2000 servers, with 59 locations and you can use up to 6 devices on the VPN.

Other features include double data protection so your information passes through two different VPN servers (not one like others), great performance, and it’s easy to use with a compact interface that comes with all the basic and essential features of a VPN.

What’s more, you can test run it for three days before subscribing to one of its affordable plans. It also accepts Bitcoin, has no caps on bandwidth, and comes with comprehensive setup tutorials for any operating system including Windows.

However, NordVPN doesn’t have ad-blockers, neither does it block trackers, plus its speeds decrease if you’re using double encryption.

CyberGhost VPN (suggested)

This is a top choice VPN for Edge browser that works perfectly well with Windows.

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IPVanish

IPVanish VPN is one of the best VPN for Edge browser used on Windows OS based in the US.

It features more than 850 servers on over 60 locations, with more than 40,000 IP addresses for its users.

Some of the benefits you’ll enjoy with this VPN include excellent performance, the fastest speeds, total privacy as it doesn’t keep any logs, plus it is among the best for torrenting and P2P traffic.

Features include 256-bit encryption over OpenVPN, L2TP and PPTP protocols, but it is a bit high on price compared to rival brands, and doesn’t come with a free trial.

It’s easy to use, safe for surfing with Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer, plus you get access to censored content and a 7-day money back guarantee.

IPVanish directs all your online traffic through an encrypted tunnel so you’re safe from hacking or spying, plus it keeps your information away from search engines, websites, and online marketers who want to target or track you. This is done by concealing your IP and replacing it with a new IP and location.

Enjoy great speeds on an intuitive interface, 24/7 year round tech support, unlimited bandwidth, and zero log policy for privacy.

ExpressVPN

This is a leading VPN that also works very well with Windows operating system, with servers globally in over 94 countries, and counting.

ExpressVPN features OpenVPN encryption that delivers strong security, no usage logs as the logs are aggregated so they cannot be traced to a single user. It also comes with 24/7 tech support, and security for public Wi-Fi.

With this VPN for Edge browser, you can work with multiple devices simultaneously, while enjoying blazing fast connection speeds, plus P2P permissions for Bittorrent, making this VPN the best for tasks that are high on data.

Some advantages of using ExpressVPN include a user friendly yet intuitive interface, very strong encryption for security, multiple server locations, anonymity while online, geospoofing, plus it accepts.

The downside, however, is it is a bit pricey, doesn’t have ad blocking, and only connects up to three devices per user – but it is still worth it.

Ready to try one of these VPN for Edge browser? Let us know which one meets your needs by leaving a comment in the section below.

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Editor's Note : This post was originally published in January 2018 and has been since revamped and updated with new products so our users would have a wider range of alternatives. We want to be sure that our list has the best products that will fit your needs.

Romanov Stanislav 19.03.2016 13568

Microsoft Edge now has extensions. How to install?

Microsoft is delivering on its promise to bring extension support to the Edge browser. The latest preview build includes this option, and Windows Insider program testers can already try out the new functionality.

First additions for Edge

Edge currently supports three extensions:

• Microsoft Translator, which automatically translates pages into over 50 different languages.
• An early version of the Reddit Enhancement Suite, which adds useful features for browsing the site.
• And an extension to recognize mouse gestures for actions like switching tabs.

The company says other extensions from Adblock Plus, Amazon, LastPass and Evernote will be available later this year. Available extensions must be downloaded to the latest preview version of Edge. Microsoft says that once the feature is ready for the public, it will appear in the Windows Store.

Installing extensions in Microsoft Edge

If you can't wait for extensions to become generally available, you can download and install extensions yourself in the Microsoft Edge browser on Windows 10. But you'll need Windows 10 build 14291 to work.

Step 1: Open the Edge browser. Click on the "Next" button (three dots) located in the upper right corner of the browser window (see image below), and then click on "Extensions".

Step 3: Scroll down the page to see available extensions.

Step 4: Click the "Download" button to download the extension.

Step 5: After downloading, either click on the “Run” button that appears after the download is complete, or navigate to the folder where the extension is saved, and then double-click on the extension to begin installation.

Step 6: After installation, open Edge, click on the three dots in the corner, and then on "Extensions".

Step 7: Finally, click the “Load extension” button and then navigate to the folder with the saved extension.

Step 8: Select the extension folder and then click the Select Folder button to download the selected extension. Edge is now ready to use.

When Microsoft first released its sexy, fast new Edge browser last July, the user response was... vague.

Edge was perhaps too minimalistic in its approach to the vision of a modern web browser. It offered some cool new features (like drawing), but it lacked most of the features, like browser extensions, that made people switch from Internet Explorer to Chrome or Firefox in the first place.

Microsoft hopes to fix this issue in the upcoming Windows 10 annual update, in which Edge will finally gain support for browser extensions. In anticipation of this update, we took a look at the list of the best, or rather the list of all browser extensions that are currently available for Edge. While these extensions are not available to regular Windows 10 users yet, Windows 10 Insiders who have installed Insider Preview build 14291 or higher can try them out right now.

AdBlock and Adblock Plus.
AdBlock and Adblock Plus are actually two completely separate ad blocking extensions with very similar functionality (and names). Both of these extensions, once installed, will block most ads on websites you visit in Edge (you will still be able to whitelist domains in the extension settings, which we hope will include our www.site) . Since AdBlock and Adblock Plus are basically the same extensions, installing them both will not give you any benefits and will only slow down your browser.

Page Analyzer.
The Page Analyzer extension is primarily for web developers - it scans and analyzes open web pages in Edge for performance issues, common errors, and opportunities for optimization.

Save to Pocket.
Save to Pocket is an extension for users of the popular Pocket app for delayed reading. This extension adds a Pocket button to your browser; press the button when you're on a webpage you want to save for later reading, and it will be automatically saved to Pocket and synced to other devices for offline reading.

Microsoft Translator.
The Microsoft Translator extension makes browsing foreign language sites a little easier. When you have this extension enabled, you will see a translation icon in the address bar of foreign language sites - just click on this icon and the Microsoft service will instantly translate the site into the current Windows language. Microsoft Translator supports more than 50 languages.

Reddit Enhancement Suite.
The Reddit Enhancement Suite extension adds additional functionality to the Reddit site. Most of these tweaks are small but useful for Reddit users: easy account switching, better comment navigation, and infinite Reddit scrolling on the home page.

Mouse Gestures.
The Mouse Gestures extension adds mouse gestures to Edge. To use these gestures, press and hold the right mouse button anywhere inside the browser, and then switch your mouse to gesture mode. For example, moving the mouse to the right and then up can open a new tab, while making a lightning gesture to the left will take you back to the previous page.

OneNote Web Clipper.
The OneNote Web Clipper extension adds a button you can click to capture all or part of a web page to save in OneNote. Web Clipper can either capture the entire page, take a screenshot of one part of the page, or capture the page in "Article" format, which includes only the text portion of the page. You can save all these "clippings" in a OneNote notebook of your choice, which is handy if you're trying to piece together the same type of information.

Pin It Button.
The PinterestPin It Button extension is similar to OneNote Web Clipper, except for Pinterest. This extension adds a Pin It button to Edge. By default, this button appears next to other extensions at the top of the menu bar, but you can change its settings so that the button appears next to the address bar for easier access. The Pin It button lets you pin something you see on a page—like a photo—to your chosen Pinterest board.

Microsoft Edge, the new web browser in Windows 10, Edge is one of the best browsers for Windows 10 OS. Edge is fast and quite simple, works great on both a traditional PC and touch devices, in many ways outperforming other browsers.

Extension support is probably the most requested thing that PC users have been waiting for since the release of Windows 10. Microsoft has updated the browser to support extensions. You can now install extensions for Edge, adding new features and personalizing Edge the way you want.

Installing extensions for the Edge browser.

In this guide, we will look at how to install extensions for the Edge browser on Windows 10.

Step 1: Open Edge. Go to menu - ( three dots), located in the upper right corner of the browser window (see picture), and then select "Extensions".

Step 3: In the Windows Store window that opens, you will see all available extensions for Edge.

Step 4: Click on the extension you need and click on the “ Install" to download and install it.

Step 5: After downloading, click the " Launch", which appears after the download is complete

Step 6: Edge will tell you that you have a new extension installed, in the dialog box click the " Turn on".

The entire Edge browser extension is installed and ready to use.

If you want to disable the extension, go to menu - ( three dots), located in the upper right corner of the browser window, select "Extensions", and move the switch slider to position "Off" or click on the gear icon to make a button appear "Delete".

How to Install an Extension in Edge Using Windows 10 Developer Mode

By default, Microsoft Edge only allows users to install extensions from the Windows Store. However, sometimes you may need to install an extension that is not yet in the Windows Store or has been removed from the store for some reason. In this case, the Install from Other Sources extension feature may help you solve this problem. Here's how to do it:

First, you need to enable developer mode in Edge. They do it as follows.

Step 1: Open Edge. Type or paste the following address into the address bar:

about:flags

You will receive the following page:

Step 2: Find - " Enable extension developer feature", enable it and restart the browser.

Step 3: After restarting, go to menu... (Three dots) and select " Extensions."

Here you'll find a new option to install extensions that will allow you to install extensions from places other than the Windows Store.