Microsoft recently announced the removal of support for Manifest Version 2 (MV2) type extensions in the Edge browser, which directly impacts the popular ad blocker uBlock Origin. In response to this change, both Mozilla and Brave have guaranteed that their respective browsers will continue to offer support for the tool.
The discontinuation of MV2 extension support in Edge is scheduled to occur by the end of 2026. This decision by Microsoft was made shortly after Google announced that Chrome will cease remaining support for MV2 extensions at the end of August.
Given this situation, users who rely on MV2 extensions in these browsers will need to migrate to those based on Manifest Version 3 (MV3). Although MV3 is considered a more modern and secure standard, it is perceived as less functional by both developers and users in the context of ad blockers.
For those using uBlock Origin in Chrome and Edge, the MV3-based alternative is uBlock Origin Lite. However, as the name suggests, this version has reduced functionalities compared to the original extension.
There is a significant technical difference: the original uBlock Origin operates with an active blocking architecture, analyzing and preventing ad or tracker requests in real time through the webRequest API. The Lite version, due to the absence of this API in MV3, bases its blocks on predefined rules, which can result in lower effectiveness.
This limitation forces the user to choose a potentially less efficient extension or switch to another browser. It was in this scenario that Mozilla and Brave identified an opportunity to offer alternatives.
Following Microsoft's announcement, Mozilla stated via X that Firefox's support for uBlock Origin will remain unchanged, as the organization's browser continues to support MV2 extensions.
Brave also addressed the topic on X, providing more details about its policy. It clarified that, unlike Edge, Brave will maintain support for uBlock Origin because it hosts the tool and other Manifest V2 extensions on its own servers, allowing users to activate them in Settings / Extensions / Manifest V2 Extensions.
It is worth noting that, like Chrome and Edge, Brave uses the Chromium project base. Theoretically, this would suggest that Brave could also lose MV2 support, but this will not happen thanks to a Chromium implementation that preserves the standard.
Mozilla and Brave are not the only ones guaranteeing continued support. As an additional example, Opera had already assured Tecnoblog that uBlock Origin will have support 'for as long as possible' in its browser.
Microsoft announced on Friday (07) that the Edge browser will begin the process of disabling extensions built under the Manifest V2 standard. This change will directly impact users of traditional ad blockers, such as uBlock Origin.
This change follows a trend already established by Google Chrome. The transition will be implemented gradually throughout 2026, starting with the browser's test versions before being applied to the stable edition. The company justifies this migration by the need to centralize the extension ecosystem on the Manifest V3 platform.
In practice, those who use legacy extensions in Edge may face the loss of functionality of these add-ons. Users of affected ad blockers will have three options: update to Manifest V3 compatible versions, such as uBlock Origin Lite; opt for another already adapted blocker; or switch to a browser that still supports Manifest V2 extensions.
Microsoft notified that Manifest V2-based extensions will be progressively disabled by default starting this month. Before this rule is implemented, users will receive alerts and suggestions for equivalent versions available in the new format.
According to the company, the volume of old extensions with relevant usage in the Edge add-on store is limited. It was reported that there are 58 extensions with significant usage that still depend on Manifest V2, and only three of them do not have versions available in the latest standard.
The main consequence will be felt by users of the traditional version of uBlock Origin, since this blocker depends on the technology that will be discontinued by the browser. As a solution, Microsoft suggests adopting uBlock Origin Lite, designed to operate within the restrictions of Manifest V3.
For those who prefer to keep using old extensions, there is the alternative of migrating to browsers that maintain support for Manifest V2. Opera, for example, has expressed an intention to preserve this compatibility as long as it is technically feasible, as does Firefox, which also emerges as an option for users of the older model.
Microsoft plans to finalize the adaptation of regular Edge users by the end of 2026. In managed corporate environments, the removal of support should occur later, scheduled for early 2027.
After Chrome, Microsoft Edge will also discontinue support for Manifest Version 2 (MV2) type extensions. This means that popular ad blockers, such as uBlock Origin, will stop working in the Microsoft browser.
Manifest Version 2 consists of a set of rules and functionalities that define how certain extensions operate within the browser. Although MV2 support was officially ended in Chrome in 2024, Google maintained residual compatibility with these types of extensions.
However, this situation is about to change. The remaining support for MV2 in Chrome will be terminated on August 31st, at which point these extensions will be removed from the Chrome Web Store. Microsoft Edge follows a similar path because it shares the Chromium project as its base.
Although Microsoft could maintain a version of Chromium that preserved MV2, the company itself has declared its support for Manifest Version 3 (MV3), which is considered more secure and efficient. For this reason, Edge will be directed towards this new standard.
With about 95% of major MV2 extensions already migrated to MV3 in the Edge extension store, the ecosystem has shown considerable progress. Starting in August 2026, Microsoft Edge will begin the transition phase for MV2 extension users to MV3.
Microsoft has established that the complete migration to MV3 must be finished by the end of 2026 for regular users, while for corporate clients, the extended deadline is early 2027.
In a statement, the company informed that only 58 MV2 extensions with relevant use remain in Edge, and of these, only three do not have MV3-based alternatives. Microsoft suggests that this scenario justifies the total migration to the new standard.
Although Microsoft has not named the extensions, it is presumed that uBlock Origin is among these 58, given that the ad blocker can still be found in the Edge add-on store.
uBlock Origin operates under MV2, but there is an adapted version of it for MV3, called uBlock Origin Lite. However, the latest standard faces resistance due to the perception of being more restricted in terms of features for both users and developers.
Users dependent on MV2-based blockers have two options: look for a replacement extension or switch to another browser. Browsers like Firefox and Brave continue to offer support for Manifest Version 2. A third alternative was presented by Opera, which assured Tecnoblog that uBlock Origin would have support for 'as long as possible' in its browser in June.
