Microsoft Edge is about to lock out older ad blockers, just like Chrome did
Microsoft Edge is ending support for Manifest V2 browser extensions, a move that will prevent older ad blockers such as uBlock Origin from working. The change mirrors Google Chrome’s earlier transition and reduces the browser options for users who rely on these extensions for more extensive ad blocking.
Microsoft says 58 Edge Add-ons with meaningful usage still rely on MV2, although all but three have MV3 alternatives. MV2 extensions will begin being disabled by default this month, first in preview versions of Edge and later in the stable release; consumer migration is due to finish by the end of 2026, with enterprise support ending in early 2027. Users can move to alternatives such as uBlock Origin Lite, or use browsers including Opera or Firefox.
In short
- Edge will phase out older MV2 ad blockers.
- uBlock Origin users may need an alternative.
- Consumer support ends by late 2026.
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The case for
The transition to MV3 addresses genuine security and performance concerns, as extensions operating under MV2 have broader system access that can be exploited. This modernisation aligns browser standards across the industry, benefits developers with cleaner APIs, and users retain practical alternatives including lighter-weight ad blockers and other browsers with different policies.
The case against
Removing MV2 support significantly reduces user choice and control over their browsing experience, particularly for privacy-conscious users who rely on comprehensive ad and tracking blockers to protect their data. When dominant browsers like Chrome and Edge coordinate these changes, users face a shrinking number of genuine alternatives, effectively handing greater control to major tech platforms over what users can and cannot do with their own devices.
Explained simply
Browser extensions are small add-on programmes that change how a web browser works. Manifest V2, or MV2, is an older set of rules for building them; Manifest V3 is its successor. Google Chrome has already moved away from MV2, and Microsoft Edge is based on the same underlying browser technology.
Ad blockers use extensions to filter adverts and other page content. Some, including the original uBlock Origin, rely on MV2, while newer versions such as uBlock Origin Lite are built for MV3 and may offer different features. The change matters to people who use these tools, as well as to extension developers and organisations that manage browsers for staff.