How to Disable Add Ons

PDF download Download Article
Learn how to remove web browser extensions you no longer use
PDF download Download Article

Add-ons are third-party extensions and plugins that can be added or downloaded to Internet browsers to enhance the user experience. Add-ons have the ability to customize and improve one or more functionalities of your browser. You can remove or disable add-ons from your Internet browser when you no longer require their use; the process is simple, regardless of which browser you use.

Things You Should Know

  • Disabling an extension or add-on turns it off without uninstalling it permanently.
  • You can remove all extensions and add-ons at once by resetting your web browser.
  • If you can't disable an add-on, it could be malware. Run a malware scan to check for and remove all threats.
Method 1
Method 1 of 6:

Chrome

PDF download Download Article
  1. It's the button with three vertical dots. You can find this in the upper-right corner of the Google Chrome web browser.
    • Extensions are not available for the mobile version of Chrome.
  2. Placing the mouse cursor over "More Tools" displays a sub-menu to the left.
    • You can also type chrome://extensions/ into the address bar.
    Advertisement
  3. It's in the sub-menu that appears to the left when you hover over "More Tools". This displays a list of all your extensions in various boxes.
  4. Each box that lists an extension has a blue toggle switch in the lower-right corner. Click the toggle switch of the extension you want to disable to turn it off. The toggle switch turns grey when the extension is disabled.
    • To uninstall an extension, click the Remove button at the bottom of the box that lists the extension you want to uninstall.
  5. If you are overloaded with add-ons, resetting Chrome will disable all of them. Use the following steps to reset Google Chrome to it's default settings.
    • Click the Chrome Menu button ( â‹® )
    • Click Settings .
    • Click Advanced â–¾ at the bottom of the menu.
    • Scroll down and click Reset settings to their original defaults .
    • Click Reset settings .
  6. If you are having difficulty getting rid of a toolbar or other extension, it may be a malicious program. Download and run AdCleaner and Malwarebytes Antimalware. These free programs can find and remove most malicious software.
    • See Remove Malware for detailed instructions on getting rid of malware and adware.
    7. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 6:

Microsoft Edge

PDF download Download Article
  1. It's the button with three dots in the upper-right corner. This displays the options in a drop-down menu.
  2. It's near the bottom of the drop-down menu. This displays a list of extensions in the drop-down menu to the right.
  3. A toggle switch appears below each installed extension. Click the toggle switch to disable an extension. If the toggle switch is gray, the extension is disabled.
    • To uninstall an extension, click the gear icon to the right of an extension in the menu to display information about the extension, then click Uninstall below the extension information.
  4. If you are having difficulty getting rid of a toolbar or other extension, it may be a malicious program. Download and run AdwareCleaner and Malwarebytes Antimalware. These free programs can find and remove most malicious software.
    5. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 6:

Internet Explorer

PDF download Download Article
  1. It's the icon that resembles a gear. It's in the upper-right corner of Internet Explorer. This displays the Settings menu.
    • Note: Add-ons are not available for the Metro or Mobile version of Internet Explorer.
  2. It's in the center of the Settings menu. This displays the Manage Add-ons window in the center of the screen.
  3. Add-ons are organized by type. Click the add-on type in the box on the left side of the "Manage Add-ons" window. This displays a list of add-ons in the larger box to the left.
  4. When you see the add-on you want to disable, click it to display information about the add-on in the box at the bottom of the Manage Add-ons window.
  5. This can be found in the lower-right corner of the window after selecting an add-on.
  6. You'll be informed of any related add-ons that will be disabled as well.
    • Click Remove to uninstall the selected add-on (if possible). Not all add-ons can be uninstalled, as some are required in order for Internet Explorer and Windows to work properly. If you can remove the add-on, the "Remove" button will appear next to the "Enable" and "Disable" buttons. [1]
  7. If you're plagued with toolbars and add-ons, you can reset Internet Explorer to disable them all at the same time using the following steps.
    • Click the gear icon.
    • Click Internet options.
    • Click the Advanced tab.
    • Click Reset .
    • Confirm Reset .
  8. If you can't get rid of some extensions. If you can't get rid of certain toolbars, or are getting lots of pop-ups, you may have an adware infection. Download AdwareCleaner and Malwarebytes Antimalware to scan for and remove any infections. Both of these programs are free.
    9. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 6:

Firefox

PDF download Download Article
  1. It's the button with three vertical lines in the upper-right corner of Firefox. This a drop-down menu below the button.
    • The mobile version of Firefox does not support add-ons.
  2. It's the about halfway down the drop-down menu. This displays a list of extensions in the Add-ons Manager.
  3. It's to the right of each add-on in the list of add-ons. This disables the add-on.
    • To uninstall an add-on, click Remove next to an add-on. Not all add-ons can be uninstalled.
  4. Unlike other browsers, this will completely remove extensions, not just disable them. Use the following steps to reset Firefox.
    • Click the Firefox Menu button ( ☰ ).
    • Click Help .
    • Click Troubleshooting Information .
    • Click Refresh Firefox .
    • Confirm Refresh Firefox .
  5. If you're having difficulty getting rid of a toolbar or other add-on, you may have an adware infection. AdwareCleaner and Malwarebytes Antimalware are powerful adware scanners that can find and remove infections for free.
    6. Advertisement
Method 5
Method 5 of 6:

Safari

PDF download Download Article
  1. It's in the menu bar at the top of the screen in the upper-left corner. It's next to the Apple icon. This displays the Safari menu.
  2. It's the third option in the Safari menu. This displays the Preferences menu for Safari.
    • The mobile version of Safari does not support add-ons.
  3. It's the tab that has an icon that resembles a puzzle piece. A list of your installed add-ons will be listed on the left side of the window.
  4. Extensions are listed in the sidebar to the right. Details about the extension will appear on the right side of the window.
  5. This disables the add-on. The checkbox appears to the right of the add-on in the sidebar to the right. The add-on will be disabled immediately.
    • To Uninstall an extension, click an extension and click "Uninstall" to remove it. This will uninstall the extension from your Mac.
  6. If you have toolbars that won't go away. The popular anti-malware program AdwareMedic was acquired by Malwarebytes and is now called "Malwarebytes for Mac." It is still free, and can remove most adware infections.
    7. Advertisement
Method 6
Method 6 of 6:

Opera

PDF download Download Article
  1. It's button with a red "O" in teh upper-left corner of the app.
  2. This displays a sub-menu to the left.
    • You can also press Ctrl + ⇧ Shift + E .
  4. Extensions are listed in bars that contain information about the extension. The "Disable" button is below the information.
    • Click the "X" in the upper-right corner of the add-on's description to remove it. You'll be asked to confirm that you want to uninstall the extension.
  5. If you can't get rid of a certain toolbar, or you're getting a lot of pop-ups, you may have an adware infection. Running Malwarebytes Antimalware and AdwCleaner will find and remove most common adware infections. Both of these programs are free.
    6. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Disable or uninstall an add-on completely if the source or website you downloaded it from is not trusted or reputable. Some add-ons from untrusted third-parties may pose security threats, and could potentially harm your computer if you keep them installed in your browser.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Some add-ons cannot be removed from your browser if they are required for your browser or computer to run correctly. If a particular add-on does not provide you with the option to disable or uninstall it, then you will not have the ability to remove that particular add-on from your browser.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Clear Your Web Browser Cache on Any Platform
      How to
      Download Any Video for Free: 5 Step-by-Step Methods
      How to
      Allow Pop–ups
      How to
      Enable Cookies in Your Internet Web Browser
      Clear Your Web Browser Cache and Cookies on Any Platform
      3 Simple Ways to Make the Taskbar Transparent in Windows 10/11
      How to
      Uninstall Microsoft Edge Permanently from Windows 10 or 11
      8 Easy Ways to Fix reCAPTCHA Not Working in All Browsers
      How to
      Change Your Country in Tor on Windows, Mac, & Linux
      How to
      Block Cookies in Chrome, Safari, & More
      How To Refresh a Webpage: Desktop & Mobile
      How to
      Bookmark a Website in Any Browser
      How to
      Recover Deleted History from Your Browser
      How to
      Get Around Parental Controls on the Internet
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/internet-explorer/manage-add-ons#ie=ie-11

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 188,644 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement