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Microsoft Edge And AdBlock Plus: Edge Users Can Now Block Ads When Browsing The Web

By Trisha Faulkner
Published on: 11:27 PST, May 8, 2016

Microsoft started running tests on a version of the new Edge browser for Windows 10 to support browser extensions back in March of this year. One of the most-requested features and browser plugins, AdBlock and AdBlock Plus are now available for Microsoft Edge users. The feature list regarding what the AdBlock and AdBlock Plus extensions offer to Microsoft Edge users appears to be fairly intact when compared to what Chrome and Firefox users are offered. This includes the ability to block certain types of advertisements while whitelisting other websites you want to see advertisements on, according to Engadget.com.

While browser extensions such as AdBlock or AdBlock Plus are not for everyone, using a web browser without them is impossible for someone who is used to using them. Windows users who previously couldn’t use Microsoft Edge because of the lack of plugins now have the opportunity to do so. Below is a video on how you can install the new browser plugins if you are a Microsoft Edge user or plan on becoming one:

https://youtu.be/hKAywBrQeAw

According to Engadget.com, you have to be a member of the browser’s preview program in order to use the new browser plugins.

Mobipicker.com recommends restarting the browser if you do decide to install AdBlock and AdBlock Plus (or any of the other browser plugins that are starting to pop up in the Windows store for Microsoft Edge). The site also reported that because AdBlock and AdBlock Plus browser plugins are so new to Microsoft Edge, some users are still experiencing some bugs. For this reason, it may be in Edge users’ best interest to wait a few weeks for Microsoft to work out the bugs before installing the new plugins.

A Little Background on Microsoft Edge

Just last year marked the first time in 20 years that Microsoft had created a new web browser with the release of Microsoft Edge. In just eight months, the Microsoft web browser has come a long way.

While Microsoft Edge is a new web browser, it offers most of the same features as Internet Explorer. This includes the ability to browse the web privately. In addition to using the new AdBlock and AdBlock Plus browser plugins, users can browse privately to avoid leaving any trace of computer activity behind. This can be especially useful if you happen to be using a shared computer. In order to browse privately, open the Microsoft Edge menu found at the top-right of the screen and select “New InPrivate window.”

Bookmarks Have to Be Imported Manually

For users who enjoy using the bookmarks or favorite features on certain web browsers, it is unfortunate to learn that it is not possible to import those to Microsoft Edge after you upgrade to Windows 10 and start using Edge. Users, however, can import favorites and bookmarks manually. There is just no automated way for the browser to do it.

Internet Explorer and Chrome users just need to click the Hub button on the toolbar (which looks like three horizontal lines) and then click the Favorites button on the hub pane. Then, click important favorites and select Chrome or Internet Explorer depending on where the bookmarks are being imported from. After making the selection, click the import button to complete the process of importing favorites/bookmarks.

Firefox users will need to export their bookmarks as an HTML file before they can import them to Microsoft Edge. Once the bookmarks have been exported to an HTML file, the HTML file can be imported following the same steps used to import the Chrome or Internet Explorer bookmarks/favorites.

Will you be making the switch to Microsoft Edge now that AdBlock and AdBlock Plus are available for users? Is there some other browser plugin or extension you are waiting for Microsoft to release before you make the switch and start using Edge? Share your thoughts in the comments.

[Image courtesy of omihay/Shutterstock.com]

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