In a web full of annoying ads, uBlock Origin has emerged as a “hero” protecting the browsing experience of millions of Chrome users. However, recent changes to Google Chrome, especially the transition to Manifest V3, are raising questions about its future on the platform.
1. uBlock Origin is at risk of “extinction” on Chrome?
More than 30 million Chrome users who are using uBlock Origin are at risk of saying goodbye to their favorite extension. According to Google’s roadmap, uBlock Origin will soon be automatically disabled via an update.
Although Google will allow users to re-enable the extension for a limited time via settings, uBlock Origin will eventually be completely removed from Chrome. This leaves users with two difficult choices: either switch to another browser, or look for an alternative ad blocking extension.
2. How to continue using uBlock Origin on Chrome?
Step 1: Open Registry Editor by pressing Windows + R and typing regedit.
Step 2: Navigate to:
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome
Step 3: With the Chrome folder selected on the left, select Edit/New/DWORD (32-Bit Value).
Step 4: Name the new entry ExtensionManifestV2Availability and press Enter.
Step 5: Right-click on the newly created entry (ExtensionManifestV2Availability) and select Modify. Set the value to 2 and press OK.
Step 6: You’re done. Check again by opening Chrome and pasting chrome://policy into the address bar, then pressing Enter. You should see the ExtensionManifestV2Availability policy with the value set to 2.
3. Final?
While the future of uBlock Origin on Chrome is still unclear, with temporary solutions such as using the ExtensionManifestV2Availability policy, users can still continue to use uBlock Origin on Chrome to enjoy the benefits of this great ad blocking extension. However, finding a long-term and sustainable alternative is also necessary.
