Microsoft Edge is about to lock out older ad blockers, just like Chrome did.

According to the article, Microsoft is ending support for the Manifest V2 (MV2) extensions platform in Edge, which will affect popular adblockers such as uBlock Origin. This mirrors Google Chrome’s move earlier in 2024, where Chrome also phased out MV2 extensions. The Verge reports that only 58 extensions on the Edge Add-On Store have significant usage and are still based on MV2, with just three of them not being available on the newer Manifest V3 (MV3) platform.

One might wonder why Microsoft waited until now to make this change. Perhaps they were busy polishing their logo or counting how many times they can say “Edge” in a single press release. With only 58 extensions using MV2, it seems like a relatively small sacrifice for the greater good of a unified web experience. However, the article suggests that some users might miss their beloved ad blockers, leading them to switch to alternatives like uBlock Origin Lite or even different browsers such as Opera, which still supports MV2 extensions.

Critics could argue that Edge’s decision is premature and may leave a few die-hard MV2 enthusiasts in the lurch. After all, not every extension has been fully ported to MV3 yet—just imagine the horror of losing a favorite tool because it hasn’t made the transition! Moreover, some might question whether Edge truly needed to wait until 2026 to align with Chrome’s timeline, especially since Chrome had already demonstrated the viability of MV3 extensions. It’s almost as if Edge was playing catch-up while sipping on its own latte.

In conclusion, while the shift from MV2 to MV3 in Microsoft Edge is a logical step toward standardizing web extensions, it does leave behind a handful of ad blockers and users who might not be ready for the change. The move aligns Edge more closely with Chrome’s ecosystem, but at what cost? Will those three MV2-only extensions be enough to make users reconsider their browser choices, or will they simply adapt to uBlock Origin Lite and continue scrolling ad-free? Only time—and perhaps a few more browser updates—will tell if this transition truly enhances the browsing experience or just adds another layer of tech jargon to our digital lives.