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Google Scares Users Away from Using Chrome Extensions on Microsoft Edge

The Chrome Web Store now informs users that using extensions on Microsoft Edge is less secure. The warning is the latest in a series of tactics from Google to persuade a switch.

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is up to its browser shenanigans again. Users on the new Chromium-based Edge are now getting warnings when they try to install from 's web store.

“Google recommends switching to Chrome to use extensions securely,” a pop-up reads when you visit the store. “Download .”

The search giant does not specify what security issues it's talking about, nor does it link to any webpage that explains the statement. Both Edge and Chrome are based on the same underlying browser engine, so you'd think that security measures would be quite similar.

My guess is that Google is referring to the fact that it can't verify that Edge handles extensions in the same way that Chrome does. It doesn't display the same warning in other Chromium browsers like Opera and Brave, though, only sniffing out Edge user-agents. This will lead to speculation that this is a ploy on Google's part as it becomes increasingly concerned that Edge will eat into its market share.

A former Edge intern previously accused Google of intentionally slowing EdgeHTML on its sites. Meanwhile, a former developer admitted that the company intentionally tried to kill Internet Explorer 6. Google also informs users that they must ‘upgrade to Chrome' to use it offline.

Still, it's worth noting that the warning doesn't affect functionality in any way. You can cross out the warning and install Chrome extensions on Edge as usual. Google isn't using cookies to check if you've dismissed the warning previously, though, so you'll have to put up with it every time you refresh or re-visit the page.

Microsoft is yet to comment on Google's message or whether using its extensions poses any real security risk. However, it does require users to opt-in before they can install third-party extensions, partly because ones made specifically for Edge are more likely to be properly optimized.

Ryan Maskell
Ryan Maskellhttps://ryanmaskell.co.uk
Ryan has had a passion for gaming and technology since early childhood. Fusing the skills from his Creative Writing and Publishing degree with profound technical knowledge, he enjoys covering news about Microsoft. As an avid writer, he is also working on his debut novel.

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