The basic steps to add an extension from the Chrome Web Store

Open Chrome and go to chrome.google.com/webstore. Search for the extension you want — for example, "password manager" or "ad blocker" — and click on the one you choose. On its store page, click the blue Add to Chrome button. A popup will appear asking what permissions the extension needs. Read this list, then click Add extension to confirm.

The extension will install in seconds. You'll see a small icon appear in the top right corner of your browser, in the toolbar next to your address bar. Some extensions show up in that toolbar automatically; others hide in a menu. If you don't see it right away, click the puzzle-piece icon in the top right corner — that's your extensions menu — and you'll find it there.

That's the whole process. You don't need to restart Chrome or your computer. The extension starts working when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • All Chrome extensions come from the Chrome Web Store at chrome.google.com/webstore, and you add them by clicking a single button.
  • When you add an extension, Chrome shows you what permissions it's asking for — like access to your tabs, your browsing history, or websites you visit — and you must approve those permissions before it installs.
  • You can turn extensions on and off, remove them entirely, or limit what websites they can see without uninstalling them.
  • Extensions that seem broken, slow down your browser, or ask for permissions that don't match what they claim to do are worth removing.

Understanding what permissions mean when you install an extension

Before you click Add extension, Chrome shows you a list of permissions. These are real — they describe what the extension can actually see and do. An ad blocker needs permission to see the content on every webpage so it can hide ads. A password manager needs permission to see what you type in password fields. A grammar checker needs to read the text you write.

But permissions can also be overbroad. If a straightforward note-taking extension asks for permission to "access your browsing history" or "see all the websites you visit," that's a red flag. It doesn't need that to take notes. Read the permission list before you install, and if something doesn't match what the extension claims to do, search for a different one instead.

You can also limit permissions after installation. Right-click the extension icon, click Manage extension, and scroll down to Site access. You can change it from "On all sites" to "On current site only" or "On specific sites" — which means the extension only works on the websites you choose.

Where to find your installed extensions and turn them on or off

Click the puzzle-piece icon in the top right corner of Chrome, next to your address bar. This opens your extensions menu. You'll see every extension you've installed, with a toggle switch next to each one. Click the toggle to turn an extension off without removing it, or click it again to turn it back on.

If you want to see more details about an extension — what permissions it has, when you installed it, or what version you're running — click the three dots next to its name in this menu, then click Manage extension. This takes you to a page where you can turn it off, remove it, change its permissions, or see what it's allowed to do.

You can also pin extensions to your main toolbar so their icon always shows instead of hiding in the menu. In the extensions menu, click the pin icon next to the extension's name. Now its icon will appear in your toolbar all the time, making it easier to access.

Removing extensions you no longer want

Open the extensions menu by clicking the puzzle-piece icon. Find the extension you want to remove, click the three dots next to it, and click Remove from Chrome. A confirmation popup will appear. Click Remove to confirm. The extension is gone when ready, and its icon disappears from your toolbar.

You can also remove an extension from the manage page. Click the three dots next to the extension name and select Remove from Chrome. Either way works the same.

Removing an extension doesn't delete your data — if you reinstall it later, it will remember your settings. But if you want to wipe out everything the extension stored, you can do that too. On the manage page, scroll down and click Clear data before you remove it. This deletes any passwords, preferences, or other information the extension saved.

Why an extension might stop working or slow down your browser

Extensions can break when Chrome updates, when the extension developer stops maintaining it, or when a website changes how it's built. If an extension stops working, the first step is to check if there's an update. Open the extensions menu, click the three dots, and select Manage extension. Look for an Update button or check the version number against what the Chrome Web Store shows. If an update is available, Chrome usually installs it automatically, but you can force it to check.

If an extension is slowing down your browser, you have two options: turn it off or remove it. Some extensions run in the background all the time, checking every webpage you visit. Others only work when you click them. If you notice Chrome getting slower after you install something, turn off the extension for a day and see if the speed improves. If it does, you've found the culprit.

You can also check how much memory and CPU power each extension is using. Open a new tab, type chrome://system in the address bar, and look for the memory and CPU usage section. This shows you which extensions are working hardest in the background.

Staying safe with extensions: what to watch for

Most extensions in the Chrome Web Store are legitimate, but some are not. Before you install something, read the reviews and look at the developer's name. If an extension has almost no reviews, or if the reviews say it's slow or steals data, don't install it. If the developer is listed as a company you recognize — like Grammarly or LastPass — that's a good sign. If it's a random name with no other extensions, be cautious.

Watch out for extensions that ask for more permissions than they need. A weather extension should not need access to your browsing history. A calculator should not need to see every website you visit. If the permissions don't match the extension's purpose, find a different one.

Also be careful about extensions that promise to do something that sounds too good to be true — like making you money, getting you free items, or bypassing paywalls. These often don't work, and some are designed to steal your data or inject ads into websites. Stick to extensions from well-known developers or ones with hundreds of positive reviews from real users.

Moving extensions between computers or backing them up

Chrome syncs your extensions across devices if you sign into the same Google account on each computer. When you add an extension on one computer, it automatically installs on your other computers the next time you open Chrome. You can turn this off if you want — go to Settings, click Sync and Google services, and toggle off Extensions.

If you want to export a list of your extensions so you remember what you have installed, there's no built-in Chrome feature for this. But you can take a screenshot of your extensions menu, or you can write down the names and search for them in the Chrome Web Store later if you need to reinstall them on a new computer.

If you're setting up a new computer and want to install all your extensions at once, the easiest way is to sign into your Google account in Chrome. Go to Settings, click Sync and Google services, and make sure Extensions is toggled on. Chrome will read and install all your extensions automatically over the next few minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add extensions from somewhere other than the Chrome Web Store?

Technically yes, but you shouldn't. Chrome allows developers to load unpacked extensions for testing, but this requires turning on developer mode and is not meant for regular users. Any extension you want to use should come from the official Chrome Web Store. If you can't find it there, it's probably not trustworthy.

What happens to my extension data if I uninstall Chrome?

Uninstalling Chrome removes the extensions themselves, but if you signed into a Google account, your extension settings are saved in your account. When you reinstall Chrome and sign in again, your extensions will read and reinstall automatically. Your passwords and preferences will be there waiting.

Do I need to pay for extensions?

Most extensions are free. Some offer a free version with limited features and charge money for the full version. The Chrome Web Store clearly shows whether an extension costs money before you install it. Never pay for an extension through a popup or email — always buy through the official store if you choose to pay.

Can an extension see my passwords?

Only if you give it permission. Password managers like LastPass and 1Password need permission to see password fields so they can fill them in. But a random extension should never ask for this permission. If something does, don't install it. Chrome also warns you if an extension tries to access sensitive information like passwords or payment details.

Why does Chrome ask me to confirm an extension's permissions every time I update it?

When an extension updates and asks for new permissions it didn't have before, Chrome shows you what's changed. This is a safety feature — it gives you a chance to review whether the new permissions make sense. If they don't, you can click Cancel and keep the old version, or remove the extension entirely.