This article was published on December 10, 2018

Microsoft confirms Edge will support Chrome extensions with Chromium switch

Edge is about to get a lot more useful


Microsoft confirms Edge will support Chrome extensions with Chromium switch

When Microsoft announced its Edge browser would be transitioning to the Chromium platform next year, I had one question: will it support Chrome’s extensions? The answer appears to be yes.

As spotted by Thurrott, Edge’s Project Manager, Kyle Alden, took to Reddit to answer some question about the change. Alden notes that it’s Microsoft’s “intention to support existing Chrome extensions.”

Alden goes on to address what will happen to apps that currently rely on Edge’s rending engine, saying they will be allowed to continue to use it, but Microsoft will offer the new engine as an option as well. He also mentions that:

  • Users will be able to install progressive web apps right from the browser, a la Chrome, in addition to the Windows Store.
  • It’s early days, but Microsoft intends to bring the new Edge to all Microsoft devices, including the Xbox.
  • Microsoft will contribute to Chromium to improve touch and scrolling smoothness.

Whether the move to Chromium is a good thing, we’ll have to wait and see, but Alden reiterates that Microsoft’s intent is to make Chromium better as a whole, which should hopefully benefit everyone.

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