Chrome Extensions: Install & Uninstall Guide (2024)

Keep only the ones you need

The extensions Google Chrome can be very useful and entertaining; just take a look at these great Chrome extensions to get 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 comprehensive tutorial on installing Chrome extensions. There are several ways to do this, but for most people, adding a new Chrome extension to your browser should only take a few seconds.

Table of contents

• How to install a Chrome extension
• Make Chrome extensions work in Incognito mode
• How to uninstall a Chrome extension

You'll also learn how to do the opposite: remove Chrome extensions that you no longer want. You can uninstall a Chrome extension if you installed it by accident, if you never use it, or if it was included in the installation of malicious software.

Note: Chrome extensions also work in a few other Chrome-based browsers, Opera being a great example.

How to install a Chrome extension

There are several ways to install a Chrome extension, but we're going to go through the “normal” method first.

Step 1 : Choose a Chrome extension in the Chrome Web Store.

Step 2 : Select the button called Add to Chrome.

Step 3 : Choose Add an extension when you see the installation window.

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

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

Step 2 : Go to More tools > Expansions.

Step 3 : Click on the button next to Developer mode at the top of the page.

Step 4 : Choose the button Load unpacked.

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

Step 6 : Choose Select the folder.

Follow these steps to install a Chrome extension that's not in a folder, like a CRX file that you downloaded from a third-party site or compiled yourself:

1. Repeat steps 1 through 3 above (starting with the second set of instructions).‍
2. From the Extensions screen, drag and drop the CRX file onto the page.
3. Select Add an extension.

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Make Chrome extensions work in Incognito mode

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

Step 1 : Go to the Extensions page using the instructions above. Do it from a normal Chrome window (not incognito).

Step 2 : Select the button Details next to the extension in question.

Step 3 : Scroll to the setting Allow in incognito mode and activate the option by selecting the button on the right.

How to uninstall a Chrome extension

Removing extensions from Chrome is very easy. You can do it in a way hugely simple from the toolbar, but if the extension is not visible, there is another way to access the uninstall option. Both are described below.

Note: As mentioned above, one of the reasons to uninstall a Chrome extension is that it was accidentally added to your computer via malicious software. If that's the case, don't forget to remove the virus or other malicious software before it causes any more damage or inconvenience.

Does the extension icon appear in the toolbar? If yes, right-click on it and select Remove from Chrome... in the dropdown menu.

If you don't see the extension icon, it may be because you've hidden it. Another reason is that you are in incognito mode and the extension is not set to be used in this mode (that is, it only works in normal mode, which is the default option for all extensions).

Fortunately, there is another way to remove the extension. For Chrome extensions that are not currently visible, open the Extensions page to see all installed extensions:

Step 1 : Select the Chrome three-dot menu and go to More tools > Expansions.

Step 2 : Locate the extension you want to remove.

Step 3 : Choose the button Remove.

Step 4 : Confirm the uninstallation by selecting Remove one more time.