Skip to main content

Microsoft attempts to lure developers with tool to port Chrome extensions to Edge

1150218 autosave v1 2 microsoft edge win 10 icon
coffeemate / 123RF Stock Photo
If you’re a Chrome user, one of the main reasons you use the browser is probably because of the huge number of extensions available to you. Microsoft’s new Edge browser has been seriously lacking in this department, one of the main reasons the browser hasn’t taken off as much as Microsoft probably would have liked.

It seems as though Microsoft is set to change this, however, with the company’s Jacob Rossi taking to Twitter to mention that Microsoft is working on a tool that will allow developers to easily port their Chrome extensions over to Edge.

Lots of questions on this: yes we're working on a porting tool to run Chrome extensions in Edge. Not yet finished and not all APIs supported

— Jacob Rossi (@jacobrossi) March 18, 2016

Edge itself just gained extension support, but the real problem is that developers aren’t going to want to create all-new extensions when Edge isn’t really that widely used yet. Ideally, the new tool will make that process far easier, and more extensions could ultimately translate to more users, as users will be more willing to use a browser that they’re able to customize.

It should be noted that porting Chrome extensions over to Edge is already pretty easy, at least according to Microsoft. Exactly how the new tool will make extension porting easier is not entirely clear, and there’s no release date attached to the feature.

The team behind the Edge browser certainly has a tough road ahead of it. Not only does it need to convince Internet Browser users that the new browser is the right way forward for Microsoft, but it also now has to try and convert Chrome, Opera, Firefox, and other users to give Edge a shot. Sure, it’s easy to try out a browser when an operating system comes installed with it, but convincing users to change their default browsers is another matter. The addition of extensions will go a long way in doing this.

Editors' Recommendations

Christian de Looper
Christian’s interest in technology began as a child in Australia, when he stumbled upon a computer at a garage sale that he…
These 2 new Edge features are making Chrome look outdated
Copilot in Windows being used in the side panel.

Microsoft has announced a host of updates that will soon be available for its Edge browser, including the Microsoft 365 Copilot feature and Sidebar app support for developers.

The company is showcasing the new features during its annual Build developer conference, which is currently taking place from May 23 through May 25.

Read more
The best ChatGPT Chrome extensions to bring AI to your browser
GPT EZ themes.

Want ChatGPT closer to hand? One of the best ways to have quick and easy access to ChatGPT is through its range of Chrome extensions. They also give you better ways of using ChatGPT, including helping you to write better prompts to get improved responses, or granting ChatGPT the ability to search the internet, which provides access to more up-to-date information.

Here are the best ChatGPT Chrome extensions you can use right now.

Read more
Microsoft Edge opens AI-upscaled video to AMD graphics cards
The Microsoft Edge browser is open on a Surface Book 2 in tablet mode.

Microsoft is rolling out a new super resolution for its Edge browser, but unlike Nvidia's recently announced RTX Video Super Resolution, Microsoft's take works with AMD graphics cards.

Edge is taking the same name. Video Super Resolution (VSR) leverages AI to upscale videos directly in your browser. Microsoft's announcement reads, "It accomplishes this by removing blocky compression artifacts and upscaling video resolution so you can enjoy crisp and clear videos on YouTube and other streaming platforms that play video content without sacrificing bandwidth."

Read more