Where to find Chrome extensions and how to install them
Chrome extensions live in the Chrome Web Store, which you reach directly from your browser. Open Chrome, click the three vertical dots in the top right corner, then select "Extensions" and "Manage extensions." At the top left of that page, click "Chrome Web Store." From there, you can search for extensions by name or browse by category — productivity, security, shopping, writing tools, and dozens more.
Once you find an extension you want, click its tile to open the detail page. Read the description, look at the screenshots, and check the reviews from other users. When you are ready, click the blue "Add to Chrome" button. A popup will appear asking what permissions the extension needs — for example, whether it can read your tabs or access your browsing history. Review these carefully. Click "Add extension" to confirm, and the extension installs when ready.
You do not need to restart Chrome or your computer. The extension is ready to use right away.
Key Takeaways
- The Chrome Web Store is built into Chrome — reach it through the three-dot menu, then Extensions, then Manage extensions, then the Chrome Web Store link.
- Before you install, read what permissions the extension is asking for, because some extensions request access to all your browsing data.
- Extensions install when ready and appear as icons in your toolbar, usually to the right of the address bar.
- You can turn extensions on and off, remove them, or change their permissions at any time from the Manage extensions page.
- Not all extensions work the same way — some add a button you click, others run in the background, and some change how web pages look.
Finding the extension icon in your toolbar
After you install an extension, it usually adds an icon to your toolbar — the row of buttons to the right of your address bar. Some extensions show their icon all the time. Others only show up when you visit a website where they work, like a shopping extension that appears only on store pages.
If you install several extensions, your toolbar can get crowded. Click the puzzle-piece icon on the far right of your toolbar to see all your extensions at once. From there, you can pin the ones you use most often so their icons always show, or hide the ones you rarely need. Pinning an extension moves its icon into the main toolbar. Hiding it keeps the extension active but removes the icon from view.
Changing what an extension can do
When you install an extension, you give it permission to do certain things — read the pages you visit, change how they look, access your bookmarks, or store data on your computer. You can change these permissions later if you want the extension to do less, or if you trust it more and want to give it broader access.
Go to the three-dot menu, select "Extensions," then "Manage extensions." Find the extension in the list and click it. On its detail page, scroll down to "Permissions" to see what it can currently do. Click "Change permissions" to adjust them. For example, you might allow an extension to run on all websites instead of just one, or restrict it to run only on sites you choose.
Some extensions ask for broad permissions when they install but only need narrow ones to work well. If an extension asks to "read and change all your data on all websites," but you only use it on one site, you can restrict it. Click "On specific sites" and enter just that website's address.
Turning extensions on and off
You do not have to remove an extension to stop using it. Go to "Manage extensions" from the three-dot menu. Each extension has a toggle switch next to its name. Click the toggle to turn it off. The extension stays installed but stops running. Click it again to turn it back on.
Turning an extension off is useful when it slows down your browser, conflicts with another extension, or you straightforward do not need it right now. You can leave it off for days or weeks and turn it back on whenever you want. Removing an extension is different — that deletes it entirely, and you would have to reinstall it from the Chrome Web Store if you change your mind.
Removing extensions you no longer want
Open "Manage extensions" from the three-dot menu. Find the extension you want to remove and click the trash icon on its tile. A popup asks you to confirm. Click "Remove" and the extension is deleted when ready. Its icon disappears from your toolbar, and it no longer runs in the background.
Removing an extension does not affect your browsing data or any websites you visit. It only stops that one tool from working. If you change your mind later, you can reinstall it from the Chrome Web Store in seconds.
Checking if an extension is slowing down your browser
If Chrome feels slow, an extension might be the cause. Open the three-dot menu and click "Settings." On the left side, click "Performance." You will see a list of your extensions ranked by how much memory and processing power each one uses. Extensions at the top of the list are using the most resources.
If one extension is using far more resources than the others, try turning it off for a day to see if Chrome speeds up. If it does, you can either remove that extension or look for a similar one that works more efficiently. Some extensions are poorly written and drain battery life on laptops, so switching to a lighter alternative can make a real difference.
Understanding extension reviews and permissions before you install
Before you install an extension, spend a moment reading the reviews on its Chrome Web Store page. Look for recent reviews, not just the highest-rated ones. A five-star extension from three years ago might not work anymore, while a three-star extension with recent reviews might be more reliable. Pay attention to complaints about slowness, crashes, or unexpected behavior.
Also read the permissions popup carefully when you install. If a straightforward tool like a calculator asks to "read all your browsing history," that is a red flag. Legitimate extensions ask only for the permissions they actually need. If an extension seems to ask for too much access, search for an alternative that does the same job with fewer permissions.
Check who made the extension too. Extensions from large companies or well-known developers tend to be safer and better maintained than extensions from unknown sources. The Chrome Web Store does review extensions before they go live, but that does not mean every extension is trustworthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same extension on multiple computers?
Yes. If you sign into Chrome with your Google account on another computer, your extensions install automatically on that computer too. Your settings and preferences sync across all your devices. If you do not want an extension on a particular computer, you can remove it there without affecting your other devices.
What happens to my extension data if I remove it?
When you remove an extension, any data it stored — like saved passwords, settings, or notes — is deleted. If you reinstall the extension later, it starts fresh with no memory of your previous setup. Some extensions let you export your data before you remove them, so check the extension's settings first if you think you might want it back.
Why does an extension ask for permission to read all my data?
Some extensions need broad permissions to work across many websites. A grammar checker, for example, needs to read the text on every page you visit. Others ask for broad permissions but only use a small part of what they request. You can always restrict an extension to specific websites instead of letting it run everywhere.
Can I install extensions from places other than the Chrome Web Store?
Chrome allows you to load extensions from your computer in developer mode, but this is not recommended unless you wrote the extension yourself or trust the source completely. Extensions from the Chrome Web Store are reviewed by Google before they go live. Extensions from other sources have no such review and could contain malware.
Do extensions work in Chrome on my phone?
Most extensions do not work on Chrome for Android or iPhone. Mobile Chrome supports only a small number of extensions, and you cannot browse the Chrome Web Store from mobile Chrome. If you need an extension's features on your phone, look for a standalone app instead, or use the desktop version of Chrome on a computer.