Microsoft Edge to add uBlock Origin, Ghostery, and Turn Off the Lights extensions

By John Callaham
published

More extensions for the Microsoft Edge browser for Windows 10 on the PC are on the way in the near future, including uBlock Origin, Ghostery, and Turn Off the Lights.

Microsoft made the announcement on the Edge Dev team Twitter page, adding that Windows Insiders will get first crack at these extensions before they are released for all Windows 10 users:

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uBlock Origin is, as you might guess from the title, an ad blocker extension, while Ghostery allows browsers to block third-party tracking from websites. The Turn Off the Lights extension will let users who watch embedded videos on websites dim everything else on the screen for a better viewing experience.

John Callaham
John Callaham
57 Comments
  • I'm still waiting on an iMacros extension and then I'll make the switch.
  • I'm not sure of the point in downvoting a comment when my comment had a direct relation to the article.  It is also true, if or when iMacros makes an Edge extension I will be ready to switch.  Something I use every day for work is a deal breaker for me. Also, why wont Windows Central show who downvoted a comment, at least then you would know if it was a troll who downvotes everyone and add some accountability if you really feel the need.  
  • I thought Enpass had an extention coming to the store soon. Why havent more extensions been out? Nonetheless I welcome more extensions :).
  • Enpass ran into a few obstacles that are preventing them from releasing their extension for now. I think there was an article here on WC about it.
  • Oh, ok, thanks :)
  • In the meantime, if you install the desktop version of the EnPass app, you can enable the beta Edge extension through that until the Store-allowed version is ready.
  • at least there is adblock make it useful browser :)
  • And would be great for mobile version...
  • so there is no adblock for mobile version yet?
  • Extensions have not been enabled in the mobile version yet. They're still figuring out how to make it more Mobile friendly (in particular, how not to have extensions run the battery into the ground).
  • Why the down votes?
  • Unfortunately, some will downvote you simply for not being as up to date on news as they are.
  • MS Edge is my Primary browser since Anniversary updates for PC. However what I observed is it fails to load webpages 5/10 times.... still using Edge. Its not as stable as Firefox.
  • I find edge better than chrome for using googledocs, Gmail... It's incredible lol. Hangouts not supported though. Been using edge more and more and not having problems loading stuff like you mentioned. Looking forward to ublock origin though... It's what I use on fire fox now. I want noscript too!
  • Contact the developer of that extension and ask!
  • It fails to load web pages half the time and your still using it? Man, that's dedication.
  • Great news. Now how bout MS gets serious and opens Edge up to all developers waiting to port their stuff and not just a few pre-selected heavy hitters? The Edge extension section of the MS Store has less than twenty enteries because MS hasn't even opened the submission process yet.
  • I think that's because they have not yet completed the API for public masses, there are still some incompatibilities with Chrome, and some APIs are still in development https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/platform/documentat... https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/platform/documentat...
  • uBlock! That's great!
  • First thing would do after buying it is make it exclusive to iOS and Android. Sorry. Had to make that joke.
  • Why?
  • Because it was pulling me in.
  • Don't quit your day job.
  • I make to much to quit
  • WC please talk real. Stop passing off crappy 'fillers' as articles ! It's not funny ...
  • For eg, Did you ever talk in detail about Infocus Kangaroo Pro ? And your article on inexpensive Win Tabs was 'bang my head' into the wall ...I think its pointless to even say it now
  • We already have few adblockers. What I would like is Speed Dial extension like FVD Speed Dial that I use on Firefox. Firefox still has the most useful extensions.
  • I will suggest; it is better to use Edge on your Windows Tablet or phone only. Edge is not a worthy upgrade over IE. Internet Explorer is far better than Edge on a Desktop or Laptop.
  • Any word on when extension support will make it's way to xbone?
  • I just want a way to stop websites from automatically playing videos.
  • Agreed. This should be controlled by some law though.
  • You should sue them for it.
  • @coip. I use NoScript on Firefox and totally recommend it as it gives you so much control over what tries to load. It makes you realise how much baloney some websites load so they can spam you with flash cookies (I use better privacy extension to remove these).
  • What is the value of ublock over adblock
  • It uses way less memory and is better at blocking adds.
  • Ublock origin is not looking out for handouts from ad agencies
  • As I recall iMacros still requires an executable to be installed. At least tha'ts how it was when I used it on firefox a couple years ago. So if that's how it still is, then I doubt it will ever happen because win32 apps cannot interact with UWP.
  • Still a little amount of extenstions. Keep them coming though.
  • Ublock already has a beta, works quit good for me. I would like to see some kind of download helper, but there seems to be a lack of API.
  • waiting for ghostery.. then I can swtich full time
  • When the edge extension store opens and I can use the extensions I use with firefox then will switch to Edge full time.
  • Has anyone figured out a way to run extensions in InPrivate windows? Apparently this has been an ongoing issue even with IE, where InPrivate windows do not load extensions. At least in IE there were settings to override this, but none that I have found in Edge.
  • IE had extensions?
  • One Year and Still Can not Print from EDGE.  How do they miss such a basic feature. Bebfore you say anything we use Konica 454 Copier/Printer with Domain Authentication.
  • I print from Edge to a Konica color laser, no problems. Edge prints. Problems are more likely related to the specific printer driver you're using. My only printing gripe with Edge is that there is no option to turn on background images. Most of the time that's fine, but occasionally you need to print the colors or images for the page to make sense and right now, as far as I know, in Edge that's not possible.
  • I would like an adblock that always worked. That would be great. EVERY other frkn day I have to re-turn on adblock. I've tried both and had the same issue. It seems like after every build and any time the browser crashes. And it does crash often because of adblock.
  • Awesome! Wish they'd also bring Lazarus form-recovery. Can't count how many times I've lost text I typed in a microsoft made browser due to accidental refresh/navigation or the browser getting frozen in the middle of a post. In Chrome and now Opera, never have to worry about this.  
  • Whats the point in having extensions when they are not even allowed in "InPrivate" mode.
  • Still waiting for proper cookies manager. My Firefox is set to delete all cookies except a few when session ends.
  • I'm waiting on Downloadhelper and then I'm switching.
  • Side note. Is there any way to block popups on Windows 10 Mobile edge? They are awful if you stubble across a site that is going heavy on them.
  • Not really, no. We need extensions basically. I assume you have edge already configured to have popups disabled
  • I dont see any where on the mobile version or it. I did it on the PC and just hoped it was a universal account setting. But that doesn't seem to work.
  • I don't care about extensions. I'm still waiting for the basics to get done. Like favorites management. That would be useful. And maybe stop disguising the address bar as a search bar. What's the point of that? To confuse and annoy people? Until then I'll keep using chrome.
  • There is at least one (maybe others) good manager available as a third-party application, better overall than the built-in versions for any of the browsers (including populating all of the favicons without needing to visit each site manually): http://www.emmet-gray.com/Articles/EdgeManage.html Only complaint I have is that you can't select multiple favorites or folders at once to drag them to another location, which you can do in Chrome. From the program, here's a list of its functions:    •View all favorites and folders in a graphical tree
       •Use "drag and drop" to move favorites and folders around
       •Sort all or portions of your favorites
       •Rename folders/favorites
       •Manually add/delete folders/favorites
       •Edit the URLs inside favorites
       •Import favorites from an HTML-based bookmarks.html file
       •Export favorites to an HTML-based bookmarks.html file
       •Import favorites from Internet Explorer
       •Export favorites to Internet Explorer
       •Backup and Restore the Edge database (can also be used to copy to another PC)
       •Create Internet shortcuts on the desktop
       •Resurrect previously deleted favorites and folders
       •Generate missing favorite icons
  • Thank GOD. I love uBlock, as Adblock/ABP currently don't catch everything with their lists. I still get YouTube ads so I still have to use FF for Youtube.
  • Still waiting Font Styler extension. Cannot stand the ugly font used in AOL sites (^^p) Posted via the Windows Central App for Android