How to Install and Uninstall Chrome Extensions

Keep only the ones you need

Google Chromeextensions can be super helpful and entertaining; just take a look at these awesome Chrome extensions for a few examples. But how do you get them, and maybe more importantly, how do you uninstall extensions you don’t want or need?

Below is a full tutorial on how to install Chrome extensions. There are a few methods for doing it, but for most people, it should take just a few seconds to add that new Chrome extension to your browser.

You’ll also learn how to do the opposite: delete Chrome extensions that you no longer want. You might want to uninstall a Chrome extension if you’ve installed it by accident, you never use it, or it was included during a malware installation.

Note: Chrome extensions also work in a few other browsers based off of Chrome,Operabeing a prime example.

How to Install a

Chrome Extension

There are a few ways to install a Chrome extension, but we’ll go through the “regular” method first.

Step 1: Pick a Chrome extension from theChrome Web Store.

Step 2: Select the button calledAdd to Chrome.

Step 3: ChooseAdd extensionwhen you see the installation pop-up.

To add your own homemade Chrome extension, you have to first enable a special mode so that Chrome will let you import the raw files:

Step 1: Select the three-dot menu at the top right of Chrome.

Step 2: Go toMore tools>Extensions.

Step 3: Hit the button next toDeveloper modeat the top of the page.

Step 4: Choose theLoad unpackedbutton.

Step 5: Locate and select the folder that contains the Chrome extension files.

Step 6: ChooseSelect Folder.

Follow these steps to install a Chrome extension that isn’t in a folder, like a CRX file that you’ve downloaded from a third-party site or packaged yourself:

Step 1: Repeat steps 1-3 above (from the second set of directions).

Step 2: From the Extensions screen, drag-and-drop the CRX file onto the page.

Step 3: SelectAdd extension.

Make Chrome

Extensions Work in Incognito Mode

Chrome extensions are not enabled in incognito mode. At least, not by default. But if you want, you can force Chrome to enable incognito mode extensions from the Extensions page:

Step 1: Access the Extensions page using the directions above. Do this from a normal Chrome window (not incognito).

Step 2: Select theDetailsbutton next to the extension in question.

Step 3: Scroll down to theAllow in incognitosetting and toggle the option on by selecting the button to the right.

How to Uninstall a

Chrome Extension

It’s super easy to remove extensions from Chrome. You can do so theextremelyeasy way from the toolbar, but if the extension isn’t visible, there’s another way to access the uninstall option. Both are described below.

Note: Like we said above, one reason to uninstall an extension from Chrome is if it was added to your computer by accident through a malicious program. If that’s the case, please remember todelete the virus or other malwarebefore it causes more damage or annoyances.

Do you see the extension’s icon in the toolbar? If so, right-click it and selectRemove from Chrome…from the drop-down menu.

If you don’t see the icon for the extension, it could be because you’ve hidden it. Another reason is ifyou’re in incognito modeand the extension isn’t set up to be used there (i.e., if it’s only functional in normal mode, which is the default option for all extensions).

Fortunately, there’s another way to delete the extension. For Chrome extensions that aren’t visible right now, open the Extensions page to see all the installed extensions:

Step 1: Select the three-dot Chrome menu and go toMore tools>Extensions.

Step 2: Locate the extension you want to remove.

Step 3: Choose theRemovebutton.

Step 4: Confirm the uninstallation by selectingRemoveonce more.

Founder of Help Desk Geek and managing editor. He began blogging in 2007 and quit his job in 2010 to blog full-time. He has over 15 years of industry experience in IT and holds several technical certifications.Read Aseem’s Full Bio

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