Reports recently suggested that Microsoft had removed uBlock Origin from the Edge add-on store, sparking fears that the browser was following in Google’s footsteps after Chrome officially killed support for the popular ad blocker. Given that Edge is also built on Chromium, many assumed this was the beginning of the end for full-featured ad blocking on Microsoft’s browser.
The concern stems from Google’s deprecation of Manifest V2, the older browser extension framework in Chromium, in favor of Manifest V3. While Google argues that Manifest V3 improves both efficiency and security, it has also drawn widespread criticism because of new limitations that reduce the effectiveness of advanced extensions such as ad blockers. uBlock Origin, in particular, is not compatible with Manifest V3, which is why it disappeared from Chrome’s Web Store and many Chromium-based browsers are gradually losing support as well.
In the wake of these changes, users have been pushed toward alternatives like uBlock Origin Lite, a simplified extension that works with Manifest V3 but lacks the full functionality of its predecessor. With most Chromium browsers forced to comply with the new standard unless they invest resources into maintaining their own support for Manifest V2—as Opera has pledged to do—many thought Edge was also aligning with Google’s decision.
However, this turned out to be a false alarm. The disappearance of uBlock Origin from Edge’s add-on store was a temporary mistake, and the extension is once again available for download and use. For now, Edge users can continue enjoying the full power of uBlock Origin—though how long that will remain true as Manifest V3 adoption spreads across Chromium browsers is another question entirely.
