Microsoft is starting to phase out Manifest V2 extensions in Microsoft Edge and moving the browser to the newer Manifest V3 platform. The company announced the switch on August 7, 2026, saying the change would roll out gradually across Edge channels before reaching the stable browser.
Microsoft has been gearing up for the change for some years, but the latest announcement gives a clearer path to ending support for older extensions. (Windows Blog)
Popular Extensions May Be Affected
The change is especially significant for users of older ad blockers and privacy extensions. Some well-known tools were built around the Manifest V2 APIs and might not behave the same when Edge stops supporting the older framework.
Microsoft says that most popular extensions have already migrated to Manifest V3. Recent reporting indicates that only a handful of widely used extensions are yet to fully transition to MV3. (The Verge)
Edge to Send Users to Manifest V3
Manifest V3 is a new approach to how browser extensions interact with websites and the browser. Microsoft said the new platform is meant to improve security, privacy and overall extension management.
The company has also shared migration guidance for developers around background service workers, permissions and moving from the older Web Request API to newer Declarative Net Request capabilities. (Microsoft Learn)
Changes for Consumers Later in 2026
Microsoft will start rolling out the changes across its testing channels, including Canary, Dev and Beta, before pushing the changes to the Stable version. Consumer support for Manifest V2 is scheduled to end by the end of 2026.
This means that eventually, Edge users who rely on older extensions may find those add-ons disabled or unable to be installed. Developers will need to transition to compatible Manifest V3 versions, wherever possible, more and more. (The Verge)
Enterprise Users Receive More Time
Companies and organisations will be given more time before the older extension system is fully deprecated for Managed Edge deployments. Microsoft has kept enterprise policies that can control whether Manifest V2 extensions are allowed.
Microsoft’s policy documentation states that administrators can control the availability of Manifest V2 for now, although the browser is currently working on moving to V3 as the supported extension framework. (Microsoft Learn) Developers Need to Prepare for the Transition Extension developers are now under more pressure than ever to get their Manifest V3 migrations done. For new extensions, Microsoft recommends using V3 and has instructions on how to migrate existing V2 projects in their documentation.
Sources
- Official blog post on Microsoft Edge – Blog to announce deprecation of Manifest V2 and transition to Manifest V3
- The Verge – Reporting on the impending Manifest V2 shutdown in Edge and how it will affect extensions.
- Microsoft Learn – Official Edge documentation to control availability of Manifest V2 extensions.
- Microsoft Learn – Official guidance for Edge developers Migrating from Manifest V2 to Manifest V3.
