How to check your web browser plugins and extensions

Many web browsers have applications you can add into them. They are often named either 'plugins' or 'extensions' depending on the browser. Some of these apps can be useful for customizing your browser, but they can also cause issues with certain sites or be added into your browser to track you after clicking on a bad link. These instructions below will guide you on how to navigate to and change settings for your extensions and plugins.

Google Chrome

For more detailed instructions, you can also visit Google’s page on installing and managing extensions.

1. Open Chrome: Launch your Google Chrome browser.

2. Access Extensions:

   • Click the three vertical dots (menu) in the top-right corner.

   • Select Extensions from the dropdown menu.

   • Alternatively, you can click on the puzzle piece icon to the right of the address bar and then select “manage extensions” in the drop-down menu that appears, or you can type chrome://extensions/ in the address bar and press Enter.

3. Manage Extensions:

   • Here, you can see all installed extensions.

   • Use the toggle switch to enable or disable extensions.

   • Click Remove to uninstall an extension.

4. Check Plugins:

   • Type chrome://settings/content in the address bar and press Enter.

   • Scroll down to find Plugins and manage them accordingly.

Firefox

For more detailed instructions, you can visit either of Mozilla’s pages providing instructions for installing add-ons to Firefox or reviewing your installed add-ons and extensions.

1. Open Firefox: Launch your Firefox browser.

2. Access Add-ons:

   • Click the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top-right corner.

   • Select Add-ons and themes.

   • Alternatively, you can click on the puzzle piece icon to the right of the address bar or type about:addons in the address bar and press Enter.

3. Manage Extensions:

   • Click on Extensions to view all installed extensions.

   • Use the toggle switch to enable or disable extensions.

   • Click the three dots on the right of the extension listing, and then click Remove to uninstall an extension.

4. Check Plugins:

   • Click on Plugins in the Add-ons Manager to view and manage installed plugins. You can click the three dots on the right to enable, disable, or manage plugins similarly to your extensions.

Safari

For more detailed instructions, you can visit Apple's page on using extensions in Safari.

1. Open Safari: Launch your Safari browser.

2. Access Preferences:

   • Click Safari in the top menu bar.

   • Select Preferences.

3. Manage Extensions:

   • Click on the Extensions tab.

   • Here, you can see all installed extensions.

   • Use the checkbox to enable or disable extensions.

   • Click Uninstall to remove an extension.

Microsoft Edge

For more detailed instructions, you can visit Microsoft’s page for managing browser extensions or their Frequently Asked Questions page about browser extensions.

1. Open Edge: Launch your Microsoft Edge browser.

2. Access Extensions:

   • Click the three horizontal dots (menu) in the top-right corner.

   • Select Extensions, then select Mange Extensions from the drop-down menu that appears.

   • Alternatively, you can type edge://extensions/ in the address bar and press Enter.

3. Manage Extensions:

   • Here, you can see all installed extensions.

   • Use the toggle switch to enable or disable extensions.

   • Click Remove to uninstall an extension.