Google Chrome offers users a huge number of add-ons to expand the functionality of the browser. From blocking ads and adding visual bookmarks to social media apps, you can find options for every taste. However, at one point, you may need to remove the extension from Google Chrome if there are too many of them, or one of them has begun to cause bugs or other problems when using. In addition, the extension can be temporarily disabled, instead of being uninstalled immediately.
Why do we need extensions in Google Chrome
Extensions are needed to add new features to the browser.
The most popular extensions include plugins for:
- ad blocking (Chrome has its own built-in blocker, but it misses a lot);
- taking screenshots;
- translation from a foreign language and spell checking;
- Add Speed Dials and visual bookmarks.
- encrypting the connection and bypassing site locks using VPN.
Extensions can both introduce new features and refine old ones, allowing the user to better adapt the browser to themselves. But there are also side effects of installing too many extensions.
They can lead to incorrect display of some sites, especially if they affect the work of scripts.
For example, there are special ad blockers and extensions to combat the tracking of user data, which can "cut" scripts on sites. This causes various errors. Sometimes, because of their abundance, the page is impossible to use at all.
Can I uninstall extensions?
Many of these can have a negative impact on performance. Therefore, on weak computers, periodically uninstalling extensions can become commonplace, as adding new features and updating old ones causes more resource consumption. Regardless of the reason, the developers have provided several simple ways to manage extensions, including customization, disabling and complete removal.
After the extension has been completely removed, you will only be able to return it back through the Chrome Store: you will have to search for it again there and install it.
Therefore, if you plan to give the extension another chance – try to start by simply disabling it.
Procedure
The easiest way is to use your browser's toolbar. It allows you to quickly configure and delete extensions attached to the panel.
Right-click on the pinned extension icon and select "Remove from Chrome".
To remove other extensions, you need to:
- Click on the extensions icon (gray puzzle detail in the upper right corner).
- Click on the three dots opposite the desired extension and select "Remove from Chrome".
- If the desired extension is not in the list, then click on "Manage extensions".
- Find what you want on the page that opens and click the "Delete" button next to it.
If the extension violates the rules or the law, spreads viruses or brings other problems, then when confirming the removal, it is recommended to put a check mark "Report violation".
If at the moment there are no active (enabled, working right now) permissions, then the puzzle icon will not be visible.
In this case, go to the extensions page via the link: chrome://extensions/ or through the "three points" – "Additional tools" – "Extensions".
How to remove an extension if you don't see it
Since removing extensions in Google Chrome that do not appear in the menu or the corresponding tab can be quite difficult for an inexperienced user, here will be the simplest instructions for uninstalling:
- In the empty row next to the Start button or in the Explorer row, type %LOCALAPPDATA%GoogleChromeUser DataDefaultExtensions
- In an open directory, there will be many folders with long and meaningless names. These are extensions. Inside them is a subfolder with a version number. You can find out what you need by the icon files, or by opening files like manifest.json. In some cases, authorship may not be indicated, which will greatly complicate the search for the desired extension.
- If you find a problem, you need to completely delete the extension folder with the Delete button and empty the Recycle Bin.
- Restart the browser.
This is the only way to remove unreferenced extensions. It is possible that you will have to clean up the entire folder if it brings problems and interferes with the use of the browser. In this case, they will need to be reinstalled through the store.
How to disable extensions
If the extension is not needed, it can be disabled for a while, which will increase the speed of the program. Need:
- Log in to your browser.
- Enter the menu (three dots).
- Go to Advanced Tools.
- Open Extensions.
- Move the toggle switch near the desired extension to an inactive position (gray). After that, it will disappear from the toolbar if it was pinned there.
To re-enable the extension, you will need to do the same. If it is active, the toggle switch will have a blue color.
