How to Add Extensions in Google Chrome

Written by Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: November 28, 2022

Installing Extensions

|

Changing Extension Settings

|

Video

|

Q&A

|

Tips

Adding extensions to Google Chrome can give your web browser all sorts of new functionality. This wikiHow article will show you how to install extensions from the Chrome Web Store, and how to manage your installed extensions from the Chrome bar.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Installing Extensions

1
Open Google Chrome on your computer. It's a red, green, yellow, and blue circular app.
2
Go to the Google Chrome Store. It's located at https://chrome.google.com/webstore/category/extensions.

Advertisement
3
Click the search bar. This is the white box in the top-left side of the page with "Search the store" written in it.
4
Type in a search query. It should be related to an app you wish to add to Google Chrome (e.g., "adblocker").
- You can also scroll down to view popular free extensions.
- If you want to customize your search, you can check various items beneath the "FEATURED" heading that's under the search bar (e.g., check Free to search only for free apps).
5
Press ↵ Enter or ⏎ Return. Doing so will search the Chrome web store for extensions related to your terms.
6
Browse for an extension you want to install. Extensions will be listed at the top of the page.
7
Click ADD TO CHROME. This button will be to the right of an extension.
- If you want to install a paid extension, this button will instead say BUY FOR [price].
8
Click Add extension when prompted. You'll see a new download pop up at the bottom of the page for a moment, and then a pop-up window announcing that the extension has been installed will display in the top-right corner of the page. You should see your extension's icon here.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Changing Extension Settings

1
Click ⋮. It's in the top-right corner of the browser window to the far-right of the address bar.
2
Go to More tools. This option is near the bottom of the drop-down menu below the "Find" option.
3
Click Extensions. You'll see this in the sub menu that appears to the left just below the "Clear browsing data" option.
4
Review your list of extensions. On this page, you'll see every extension installed to Chrome. You can do a couple of things here:
- Enable extensions in incognito mode - Click the checkbox to the left of the "Allow in incognito" just below an extension to allow the extension to run in incognito browser windows.
- Enable or disable extensions - If you don't want to uninstall an extension but don't want to use it for now, uncheck the box to the right of an extension's name.
- Delete extensions - Click the trash can icon across from an extension on the far-right side of the page.
5
Close the "Extensions" tab when you're done. Your settings will be saved.

Community Q&A

Question

How to get rid of extensions?

Community Answer

To remove an extension, right-click on the extension's icon in the top right corner of the screen. From there, select 'Remove from Chrome."
Question

What does it mean if I get the message 'FAILED_TO_COPY_EXTENSION_FILE_TO_TEMP_DIRECTORY?' and the extension doesn't install?

Community Answer

It may occur when your system doesn't match the software and hardware requirements for the specific extension.