August 12, 2026, 12:39 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
Microsoft is phasing out Manifest V2. Starting in August 2026, the Edge browser will gradually transition to Manifest V3. Extensions still based on the old standard will become increasingly unusable. The migration for private users is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
Ad blockers will be limited in use
Microsoft is following Google’s lead and pushing the switch to Manifest V3. The company announced the transition on its corporate blog. Manifest V2 will be gradually removed from Edge starting in August 2026.
Ad blockers are particularly affected. Many popular ad blockers use features from Manifest V2 that are no longer available under Manifest V3. While developers offer partially adapted versions, these are often considered less effective.
The background is the new extension architecture of Chromium, which has already been introduced in Google Chrome. It further restricts extensions’ access to network requests, thereby limiting ad-blocking capabilities.
Popular Ad Blocker Faces End in Chrome
Chrome Disables Extensions — What Users Can Do
Microsoft informs users about the transition
Microsoft is already showing some users notifications in the Edge browser. These inform about the upcoming change in extensions, preparing users for the transition in extension architecture.
For users, the transition may become noticeable in everyday use. If a previously used ad blocker is no longer supported, more ads will appear on websites.
Also of interest: Popular ad blocker faces end in Chrome
Not just Edge affected
Manifest V3 is part of the new extension architecture for Chromium browsers, affecting not only Edge but also numerous other browsers such as Google Chrome, Brave, Opera, and Vivaldi.
Those who want to continue using their extensions in their current form must check if suitable versions for Manifest V3 are available. Otherwise, switching to an alternative browser is the only option.
For private users, the transition is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. For companies, a longer period applies. Manifest V2 will not phase out until 2027, giving businesses more time to review and potentially adapt their extensions.