Add-ons or add-ons are terms for third-party extensions and plug-ins that can be added or downloaded to an internet browser to enhance the user experience. This feature can modify and enhance one or more browser functionality. You can remove or disable add-ons from your internet browser when you no longer need them. The process is quite simple, regardless of which browser you use.
Step
Method 1 of 6: Chrome
Step 1. Click the Chrome menu button
This button looks like three dots arranged vertically. You can see it in the upper-right corner of the Google Chrome window.
The extension is not available for the mobile version of Chrome
Step 2. Select More Tools
Place the cursor on the "More Tools" option to display a submenu on the left side of the selection.
You can also type chrome://extensions/ into your browser's address bar
Step 3. Select Extensions
This option is in the submenu that appears on the left side of the screen when the cursor is hovered over the "More Tools" option. A list of all the extensions installed in the browser will be displayed in several boxes.
Step 4. Click
under extension.
Each box that contains an extension has a blue switch in the bottom right corner. Click the desired extension switch to disable it. The switch color will turn gray after the extension is turned off.
To remove the extension, click the button “ Remove ” at the bottom of the appropriate extension box.
Step 5. Reset Chrome to disable all add-ons at once
If you're struggling with too many add-ons, you can reset Chrome to disable them all. Follow these steps to restore Google Chrome to its default settings.
- Click the Chrome menu button (⋮)
- Click " Settings ”.
- Choose " Advanced ” at the bottom of the menu.
- Scroll down and click " Reset settings to their original defaults ”.
- Click " Reset settings ”.
Step 6. Perform a malware scan on the computer
If you're having trouble removing toolbars or other extensions, there's a good chance they may be malicious programs. Try downloading and running AdCleaner and Malwarebytes Antimalware. These two free programs can find and remove most malware from your computer.
Read the article on how to remove malware for detailed instructions on the process of removing malware and adware
Method 2 of 6: Microsoft Edge
Step 1. Click…
It's the three-dot button in the upper-right corner of the browser window. The options will appear in the drop-down menu after that.
Step 2. Click Extensions
It's at the bottom of the drop-down menu. A list of extensions installed in the browser will be displayed in the drop-down menu, on the right of the screen.
Step 3. Click
under extension.
The switch is shown under each installed extension. Click the switch to turn off the extension. If the switch is grayed out, the extension is off.
To remove an extension, click the gear icon on the right side of the extension in the menu to display the extension's information, then select “ Uninstall ” under the extension information.
Step 4. Perform a malware scan on the computer
If you're having trouble removing toolbars or other extensions, there's a good chance they may be malicious programs. Try downloading and running AdCleaner and Malwarebytes Antimalware. These two free programs can find and remove most malware from your computer.
Method 3 of 6: Internet Explorer
Step 1. Click
This icon looks like a gear. You can see it in the upper-right corner of the Internet Explorer window. The “Settings” menu will be displayed after that.
Note: The add-on is not available for the Metro or mobile versions of Internet Explorer
Step 2. Click Manage add-ons
This option is in the middle of the “Settings” menu. The “Manage Add-ons” window will appear in the center of the screen.
Step 3. Click the add-on type
In Internet Explorer, add-ons are grouped by type. Click the add-on type in the box on the left side of the "Manage Add-ons" window. The list of add-ons will load in a larger box, on the left side of the screen.
Step 4. Click add-ons
When you see an add-on that needs to be disabled, click on the add-on to view its information in the box at the bottom of the “Manage Add-ons” window.
Step 5. Click Disable
It's in the lower-right corner of the window once an add-on is selected.
Step 6. Click Disable to confirm
You will be notified that other related add-ons will be disabled as well.
Click " Remove ” to remove the selected add-on (if possible). Not all add-ons can be removed as several options are required for Internet Explorer and Windows to function properly. If you can remove the add-on, a "Remove" button will be displayed next to the "Enable" and "Disable" buttons.
Step 7. Disable all add-ons at once by resetting Internet Explorer
If you are overwhelmed with the various toolbars and add-ons in your browser, you can reset your browser to turn off all the toolbars and plug-ins at once with the following steps.
- Click the gear icon.
- Choose " Internet options ”.
- Click the tab " Advanced ”.
- Click " Reset ”.
- Choose " Reset ” to confirm the action.
Step 8. Check the computer for infections or malware problems
If you are unable to remove certain toolbars or frequently see lots of pop-up windows appearing, there is a possibility that your computer has an infection or an advertising device bug. Try downloading AdwareCleaner and Malwarebytes Antimalware to scan and remove advertising tools installed on your computer. Both of these programs can be downloaded and used for free.
Method 4 of 6: Firefox
Step 1. Click
It's a three-line, vertically-arranged button in the upper-right corner of the Firefox window. A drop-down menu will appear below the button.
The mobile version of Firefox does not support add-ons
Step 2. Click Add-ons
It's in the bottom half of the drop-down menu. A list of extensions will be displayed in the “Add-ons Manager” window.
Step 3. Click Disable
This button is to the right of each add-on that appears in the list. Once clicked, the selected add-on will be disabled.
To remove an add-on, click “ Remove ” next to the selected add-on. Keep in mind that not all add-ons can be removed.
Step 4. Reset Firefox to remove all installed extensions
Unlike other browsers, resetting Firefox will permanently remove installed extensions, and not just disable them. Follow these steps to reset Firefox.
- Click the Firefox menu button (☰).
- Click " Help ”.
- Click " Troubleshooting Information ”.
- Choose " Refresh Firefox ”.
- Click " Refresh Firefox ” to confirm.
Step 5. Download an anti-malware tool
If you're having trouble removing the toolbar and other plug-ins, there's a good chance that your computer has an infection or adware bug. AdwareCleaner and Malwarebytes Antimalware are adware scanner programs that can detect and remove advertising software for free.
Method 5 of 6: Safari
Step 1. Click Safari
It's in the menu bar in the upper-left corner of the screen. You can see it next to the Apple icon. Once clicked, the Safari menu will open.
Step 2. Click Preferences…
This option is the third option on the Safari menu. Safari's “Preferences” menu will appear after that.
The mobile version of Safari does not support add-ons
Step 3. Click the Extensions tab
This tab is marked by a jigsaw puzzle piece icon. Once clicked, a list of add-ons installed in the browser will be displayed on the left side of the window.
Step 4. Select the extension you want to disable
Extension options are displayed on the right sidebar. Extension details are available on the right side of the window.
Step 5. Uncheck the box next to the extension
After that, the selected add-on will be disabled. A checkbox is displayed on the right side of the extension on the right sidebar. The add-on will be disabled immediately after.
To remove an extension, click on the desired extension and select "Uninstall". After that, the extension will be removed from Safari and the computer
Step 6. Download Malwarebytes for Mac for computer if there are toolbars that are difficult to remove
The popular anti-malware program AdwareMedic was purchased by Malwarebytes and is now renamed "Malwarebytes for Mac". However, this program is still available for free and can remove most of the annoyances or attacks of advertising tools.
Try searching and reading articles on how to get rid of Adchoices for general tips for removing advertising tools on Mac computers
Method 6 of 6: Opera
Step 1. Click the Opera menu
This button looks like a red “O” in the upper-left corner of the browser window.
Step 2. Select Extensions
The submenu will be displayed on the left side.
Step 3. Click Extensions
You can also use the shortcut Ctrl+⇧ Shift+E
Step 4. Click Disable under extensions
A selection of extensions installed in the browser is displayed on a bar containing information about the extension. The "Disable" button is displayed below the extension information.
Click the "X" button at the top right of the add-on's description to remove it. You will be asked to confirm deletion of the extension afterwards
Step 5. Scan for advertising devices on the computer
If you can't remove certain toolbars or you get frequent pop-up windows, there's a good chance that your computer is infected with advertising tools. You can run Malwarebytes Antimalware and AdwCleaner to find and remove most of the most common advertising device infections/nuisances. Both of these programs can be used for free.
