Your favorite Edge extension may stop working soon as Microsoft follows Chrome’s lead

Microsoft Edge is set to make a significant change to its extension system, potentially disrupting the functionality of popular ad blockers and other extensions that rely on the older Manifest Version 2 (MV2) platform. This transition, which is part of the browser's shift to the more recent Manifest Version 3 (MV3) framework, will gradually phase out support for older extensions starting in the coming months.

Microsoft claims MV3 offers enhanced security, improved privacy, and better performance, but the move also means that legacy extensions like uBlock Origin will eventually stop working unless users find MV3-compatible alternatives. The transition timeline is structured, with Canary, Dev, and Beta versions of Edge disabling MV2 extensions by default, with the Stable release following suit in the months to come.

While only a small number of extensions (around 58) currently see significant usage, the shift could have a substantial impact on users who rely on robust ad blocking and privacy tools. Microsoft acknowledges that many developers have already released MV3-compatible versions of popular extensions, but the change may be particularly challenging for those still relying on classic ad blockers and other powerful privacy-focused tools.