Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Windows Central
Windows Central
Technology
Kevin Okemwa

Google might be cutting support for 'the world's most popular ad-blocker,' but this Windows Registry trick will help Chrome and Edge users keep intrusive ads at bay for a year longer

Google Lenovo Best Buy Dell Microsoft Amazon CDKeys
Google Chrome on Windows.

What you need to know

  • Google is ending support for classic extensions in Chrome, including uBlock Origin, and transitioning to the Manifest V3 framework as part of its broader campaign against ad blockers.
  • Through the Windows Registry, users can leverage the ExtensionManifestV2Availability Enterprise policy to extend Manifest V2 support in Chromium-based browsers for one year—until June 2025.
  • DISCLAIMER: Tweaking the Windows Registry may brick your device. Proceed with caution!

Earlier this week, Google announced its plan to cut uBlock Origin support on its Chrome browser as part of its broader campaign against ad blockers across its products and services. Google's change in extension support from the Manifest V2 framework to V3 leaves over 30 million Chrome users susceptible to intrusive ads.

It's worth noting that the change applies to Chromium-based browsers, including Microsoft Edge, Opera, and more. It is expected to start rolling out via a new update soon. Consequently, uBlock Origin will no longer work across Chromium browsers or receive updates.

The company already released a new version of uBlock Origin that's Manifest V3 compliant — uBlock Origin Lite. While the Lite version sports most of the features in the original version, it falls short in some critical areas. For instance, it doesn't support dynamic filters for blocking scriptlet injection.

This hack will extend support for classic extensions on Chromium browsers for a whole year

Microsoft Edge Sidebar on Windows 11 desktop (Image credit: Future)

While the change is imminent across Chromium-based browsers, Mozilla's Firefox browser will continue supporting the Manifest V2 framework. A plausible workaround would be to transition to Firefox and continue using uBlock Origin and leveraging its capabilities.

However, you can stick to your Chromium-based browser and continue using uBlock Origin with the Manifest V2 framework. 

As highlighted by TeamDJ on Reddit in the r/chrome subreddit, users can extend the support for Manifest V2 extensions using the Windows Registry with the help of the ExtensionManifestV2Availability policy designed for enterprise users. 

Tutorial - Extend Manifest V2 - “ExtensionManifestV2Availability” Chrome Policy from r/chrome

Google intends to end support for Manifest V2 for home users immediately, though enterprise users can extend the framework's support by one year. Luckily, the same hack can be utilized by home users to extend support.

Here's what you'll need to do, as highlighted by TeamDJ on Reddit:

  1. Open up the “Registry Editor” Program
  2. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome
  3. With the Chrome folder on the left highlighted, select Edit/New/DWORD (32-Bit Value) <<>>.
  4. Name it ExtensionManifestV2Availability and hit enter.
  5. Right click what you just created (ExtensionManifestV2Availability) and click Modify. Set the Hexadecimal value to 2, and click OK.
  6. You’re done, but check your work by opening Chrome, and pasting chrome://policy in the URL Address bar and hit enter. You should see the ExtensionManifestV2Availability policy, and the value should be set to 2. If you don’t see it, click “Reload Policies” and/or review your work.

You'll also need to restart your PC to apply the change. Your system will now have the ExtensionManifestV2Availability policy for Enterprise customers enabled, allowing you to use classic extensions on your browser until June 2025.

🎒The best Back to School deals📝

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Daddy Yankee and Mireddys González divorcing after 29 years of marriage
Daddy Yankee confirmed his wife Mireddys González filed for divorce.
BANG Premier
BANG Premier
"We've got a new lot from Leighton Buzzard who're going to do their best for you." Keith Richards playing tuba on Sonny and Cher's I Got You Babe while The Rolling Stones' manager professes his love for Mick Jagger is peak '60s TV
How Mick Jagger helped Sonny and Cher get discovered, then wound up miming to their biggest hit on primetime television in 1965
Louder
Louder
Carnival Cruise Line skips one popular Christmas tradition
The cruise line decorates its ships and has Santa Claus on board some sailings, but it won't be doing this.
The Street
The Street
One of the worst movies I've seen all year just crashed the Netflix top 10 — here's 3 better picks to stream instead
"Afraid" is a 2024 horror that has landed in the Netflix top 10 — and I can't believe this awful movie is so popular on the streaming service.
Tom’s Guide
Tom’s Guide
“AITA For Not Eating A Thanksgiving Dish I Suspect Was Made Last Year?”
Family drama tends to break out during Thanksgiving gatherings. In this story, the rift between two women began over sweet potato casserole. The post “AITA For Not Eating A Thanksgiving Dish I Suspect Was Made Last Year?” first appeared on Bored Panda.
Bored Panda
Bored Panda
The anatomy of a hot flush – and whether it can really make your head steam
A hot flush is a phenomenon as disruptive as it is commonplace. One moment, life proceeds as usual. The next, a wave of heat rises, spreading from the chest to the face – leaving behind flushed skin and beads of sweat. For many, this sudden warmth is accompanied by an…
The Conversation
The Conversation
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play