5 Ways to Install and Manage Google Chrome Extensions

Adding extensions to Google Chrome can give your web browser all sorts of new functionality. Installing Chrome extensions is easy, and only takes a few moments on your Windows PC, Mac, or Chromebook. Unfortunately, it's not possible to install Chrome extensions on a phone or tablet. This wikiHow article will show you how to install, use, and manage extensions from the Chrome Web Store. We'll also teach you how to install third-party extensions from outside the web store, plus help you manage the extensions you've added.

Things You Should Know

Visit https://chrome.google.com/webstore/category/extensions to browse for and install extensions.
To view your Chrome extensions, click the puzzle piece icon at the top-right corner of Chrome.
Manage extensions at chrome://extensions, or by clicking the puzzle piece icon > "Manage extensions."

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Adding from the Chrome Web Store

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Go to https://chrome.google.com/webstore/category/extensions in Chrome. No matter which type of computer you have, you can find a variety of extensions to add to Google Chrome at the Chrome Web Store.
- You can also add Chrome extensions to other browsers built on Chromium, including Microsoft Edge, Opera, and Brave.^{[1]
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- While Chrome extensions aren't available for Chrome on Android, iPhone, or iPad, you can install some extensions in the Kiwi Browser for Android using these same steps.^{[2]
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Search for an extension. If you know the name of the extension you want to install, type it into the "Search the store" field at the top-right, then press Enter or Return to search.
- You can also search for a type of extension, such as "ad blocker" or "calendar," or browse by category using the tabs on the left side of the page.
- If you downloaded an extension from outside of the Chrome Web Store, see this method to learn how to install it.
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Click an extension to check it out. You'll now be able to see the extension's name, some screenshots, ratings, and reviews.
- Before downloading the extension, it's best to read reviews to make sure users are satisfied.
- You can also click the Privacy practices tab at the top of the extension's page to see what type of personal information the extension will collect from you.
You'll see this blue button near the top-right corner of the page. A confirmation pop-up will appear.
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Click Add extension to confirm. This adds the extension to Chrome.
- To see your installed extensions, click the puzzle piece icon at the top-right corner of Chrome.
- Read on to learn how to use extensions and pin them to your toolbar.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Finding and Using Your Extensions

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It's to the right of the address bar at the top of the browser window. This is where you'll find all of your installed Chrome extensions.
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Click an extension to launch it. Each extension is different, so what happens next will vary. Some extensions will instantly perform a task, while others will display options that you can modify.
- You can also click the three-dot menu next to an extension to access its options and permissions.
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Pin an extension to the toolbar. If you use an extension often, you can pin its icon to the Chrome toolbar to make it easier to find. Here's how:
- Click the puzzle piece icon at the top-right corner to view installed extensions.
- Any extensions that are already pinned to the toolbar will have a blue-filled pushpin icon. Extensions that aren't pinned have empty pushpin icons.
- Click an empty pushpin icon next to an extension to pin that extension to the toolbar. This fills the pushpin with blue and adds an icon for the extension to the upper-right corner of Chrome.
- If there are certain extensions you use less often, you can unpin them from the taskbar. Just click the puzzle piece icon, then click the blue pushpin next to an extension to unpin it. You can still launch the extension by clicking its name in the puzzle piece menu.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Changing Settings

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Click the puzzle piece icon at the top-right corner of Chrome. Many extensions have options and preferences that you can manage. Start by clicking the puzzle piece menu to view your extensions.
- If you don't see the toolbar at the top of Chrome, you might be in full-screen mode. Press F11 (PC), F4 (Chromebook), or Ctrl + Cmd + F (Mac) to toggle off full-screen mode.
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Click Manage extensions. It's at the bottom of the puzzle piece menu. Now you'll see all of your installed extensions.
- You can also get here by typing chrome://extensions in the address bar and pressing Enter or Return.
This displays the extension's details, including its size and version, a description, permissions, and additional options.
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Adjust the extension's access and options. The options you can adjust for each extension will vary, but you can usually change:
- Site access: This section tells you which sites the extension has permission to read and modify your data. For example, if you're using a translation extension, you'll want to give it access On all sites so you can translate websites on the fly.
- Allow in incognito: By default, extensions are disabled in incognito mode. If you want to be able to use this extension incognito, you can click the switch.
- Extension options: Many extensions also have different settings you can customize. If you see this option, click it to modify the extension or access your preferences.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Disabling & Removing

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If you don't want to use an extension anymore, you can either disable it or delete it entirely.
It's at the bottom of the puzzle piece menu. You'll see all of your installed extensions.
If you don't want an extension to load in Chrome but don't want to delete it entirely, you can toggle the extension's switch to the Off position. You can then turn it back on at any time by moving the switch back to On.
If you don't want to use an extension at all anymore, click Remove below the extension's name, then click Remove again to confirm.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Installing Extensions from Outside the Chrome Store

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1
Click the puzzle piece icon at the top-right corner of Chrome. If you need to install an extension that isn't available in the Chrome Web Store, such as extensions from Github, you can do so in Chrome Developer Mode.
- Be careful when downloading extensions from outside of the Chrome store, as such extensions are not vetted by Google.
It's at the bottom of the puzzle piece menu.
You'll see it at the top-right corner. Once enabled, you can add extensions from other sources to Chrome.^{[3]
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It's at the top-left corner.
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Select the folder containing your Chrome extension. If you downloaded the extension as a ZIP file, you'll need to unzip it first. Once selected, the extension will be added to Chrome.
- You can now manage the extension as you would any other extension.

Community Q&A

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Question

How to get rid of extensions?

Community Answer

To remove an extension, right-click on the extension's icon in the top right corner of the screen. From there, select 'Remove from Chrome."

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What does it mean if I get the message 'FAILED_TO_COPY_EXTENSION_FILE_TO_TEMP_DIRECTORY?' and the extension doesn't install?

Community Answer

It may occur when your system doesn't match the software and hardware requirements for the specific extension.

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If you're using a school or work computer that's managed by an administrator, you may not be able to add extensions without permission from your administrator.

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All Chrome extensions are free to install, but some may require payment to use certain features.

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