Why and when to remove browser add-ons
Browser add-ons slow down your computer, use your data, and sometimes track where you go online. Removing the ones you do not use is one of the fastest ways to speed up your browser and protect your privacy. Most people accumulate add-ons without realizing it — they install one to convert a PDF, another to block ads, and six months later forget they are there.
You should remove an add-on if you no longer use it, if it is slowing your browser noticeably, or if you do not recognize it. Some add-ons arrive bundled with other software you installed and run in the background without your knowledge. Removing them takes less than a minute per add-on and requires no technical skill.
Key Takeaways
- Every browser stores add-ons in a different menu, but all of them let you disable an add-on before removing it completely, so you can test whether it was causing a problem.
- Disabling an add-on is safer than removing it if you are not sure whether you need it, because you can turn it back on without reinstalling.
- Some add-ons hide in your browser's settings under different names — search for "extensions" or "add-ons" in the settings menu if you cannot find them.
- If an add-on you do not recognize appears after you install other software, it was likely bundled with that software and is safe to remove.
How to remove add-ons in Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Extensions from the menu. You will see a list of every add-on installed in your browser, with a toggle switch next to each one.
To remove an add-on, click the trash icon next to its name. Chrome will ask you to confirm. Click Remove. The add-on is now gone and will not run anymore. If you want to test whether an add-on is causing a problem before removing it, click the toggle switch to turn it off instead — the add-on stays installed but stops running.
If you do not see the Extensions menu, your version of Chrome may be older. Click the three dots, then look for More tools, then Extensions. The process is the same from there.
How to remove add-ons in Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner. Click Add-ons and themes. On the left side, click Extensions. You will see a list of every add-on in your browser.
To remove an add-on, click the three dots next to its name and select Remove. Firefox will ask you to confirm. Click Remove again. The add-on is now uninstalled. To disable an add-on without removing it, click the toggle switch next to its name instead — it will turn gray and stop running.
Some add-ons in Firefox are marked Recommended or Built-in. These are made by Mozilla and are usually safe to disable if you do not use them, though you cannot remove them completely.
How to remove add-ons in Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the top menu bar. Click Settings (or Preferences on older Macs). Click the Extensions tab. You will see a list of every add-on installed.
To remove an add-on, click its name on the left, then click the Uninstall button. Safari will ask you to confirm. Click Uninstall again. To disable an add-on without removing it, uncheck the box next to its name — it will stop running but remain installed.
Safari add-ons are less common than in Chrome or Firefox, and many are built into the browser itself. If you see an add-on you do not recognize, it was likely installed when you downloaded other software.
How to remove add-ons in Edge
Open Microsoft Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Click Extensions. You will see a list of every add-on in your browser, with a toggle switch next to each one.
To remove an add-on, click the three dots next to its name and select Remove from Microsoft Edge. Edge will ask you to confirm. Click Remove. The add-on is now uninstalled. To turn off an add-on without removing it, click the toggle switch next to its name — it will turn gray and stop running.
Edge shares many add-ons with Chrome because both browsers use the same underlying code. If you see an add-on you installed in Chrome, it may appear in Edge as well.
What to do if an add-on will not remove
Occasionally an add-on will not remove through the normal menu. This usually happens when the add-on was installed by another program and that program is preventing removal. The solution is to uninstall the program that installed the add-on, then remove the add-on from your browser.
Go to your computer's control panel or settings and look for the program that came with the add-on. Uninstall it. Then return to your browser's add-on menu and remove the add-on. If it still will not remove, restart your browser and try again — some add-ons lock while the browser is running.
If an add-on is still stuck after restarting, you can reset your browser to its default state. This removes all add-ons and settings at once. Each browser has a different reset option — search your browser's help menu for "reset" or "restore default settings" to find it. Reset should be your last option because you will lose all your saved passwords and custom settings.
How to prevent unwanted add-ons from installing
Most unwanted add-ons arrive when you install other software. When you read a program, the installer often offers to add a browser add-on as well. Read the installer carefully and uncheck any boxes that offer to add extensions or toolbars. If you miss this step and an add-on appears, remove it using the steps above.
Avoid downloading software from unfamiliar websites. Legitimate programs usually come from the developer's official site or from trusted stores like the Microsoft Store or Mac App Store. If you read from a third-party site, read the installer carefully for hidden add-ons.
Keep your browser updated. Browser makers regularly patch security holes that malicious add-ons can exploit. Set your browser to update automatically so you do not have to remember to do it manually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will removing an add-on delete my saved passwords or bookmarks?
No. Removing an add-on only removes that add-on. Your passwords, bookmarks, browsing history, and all other browser data stay in place. The add-on had no access to these things unless you specifically gave it permission when you installed it.
Can I turn an add-on back on after I remove it?
If you removed it completely, you would need to reinstall it from the browser's add-on store. If you only disabled it, you can turn it back on by clicking the toggle switch. Disabling is safer if you are not sure whether you need an add-on.
What if I remove an add-on and my browser stops working the way I expect?
That add-on was probably doing something you relied on. Go back to your browser's add-on menu and look for it in the "Disabled" or "Recently removed" section. Click it to turn it back on or reinstall it. Then you can decide whether to keep it or find a replacement.
Is it safe to remove add-ons I do not recognize?
Yes. If you do not remember installing an add-on and do not recognize its name, it is safe to remove. Unrecognized add-ons usually came bundled with other software. Removing them will not break anything — if you need it later, you can reinstall the software it came with.
Do I need to remove add-ons if my browser is running fine?
Not necessarily. If your browser is fast and you use all your add-ons, there is no reason to remove them. Remove add-ons only if your browser is slow, if you do not use them, or if you do not recognize them.