Microsoft Edge is about to lock out older ad blockers, just like Chrome did
The Verge
β’2026-08-07T13:43:34-04:00
π° What Happened
Microsoft Edge is ending support for the Manifest V2 extensions platform, which will cut off the uBlock Origin ad-blocker and similar extensions, a change mirroring what Google Chrome did earlier this year. Microsoft reports that only 58 extensions on the Edge Add-On Store have 'any meaningful' usage still on the older platform.
π The Backstory
Manifest V2 was the long-standing framework for browser extensions, but major Chromium-based browsers are migrating to the newer Manifest V3 format, which imposes restrictions that weaken traditional ad-blockers. Google Chrome moved to phase out Manifest V2 earlier, and Microsoft Edge, being Chromium-based, is now following suit. The change has been contentious among users who rely on powerful ad-blocking tools.
π― Why It Matters
The change removes one of the few remaining browser options for users who depend on full-featured ad-blockers such as uBlock Origin, after Chrome already restricted them. It raises concerns about user control over online advertising and tracking, and highlights how underlying browser platform changes can reshape the extension ecosystem across multiple browsers simultaneously.
Microsoft Edge is ending support for the Manifest V2 extensions platform, which will cut off the uBlock Origin ad-blocker and similar extensions, a change mirroring what Google Chrome did earlier this year. Microsoft reports that only 58 extensions on the Edge Add-On Store have 'any meaningful' usage still on the older platform.
Manifest V2 was the long-standing framework for browser extensions, but major Chromium-based browsers are migrating to the newer Manifest V3 format, which imposes restrictions that weaken traditional ad-blockers. Google Chrome moved to phase out Manifest V2 earlier, and Microsoft Edge, being Chromium-based, is now following suit. The change has been contentious among users who rely on powerful ad-blocking tools.
The change removes one of the few remaining browser options for users who depend on full-featured ad-blockers such as uBlock Origin, after Chrome already restricted them. It raises concerns about user control over online advertising and tracking, and highlights how underlying browser platform changes can reshape the extension ecosystem across multiple browsers simultaneously.