Microsoft begins turning off uBlock Origin and other extensions in Edge
www.neowin.net
Microsoft is now in the process of turning off Manifest V2-based extensions in Edge, such as uBlock Origin. However, not everything is lost at this point.

The latest Edge Canary version started disabling Manifest V2-based extensions with the following message: “This extension is no longer supported. Microsoft Edge recommends that you remove it.” Although the browser turns off old extensions without asking, you can still make them work by clicking “Manage extension” and toggling it back (you will have to acknowledge another prompt).

At this point, it is not entirely clear what is going on. Google started phasing out Manifest V2 extensions in June 2024, and it has a clear roadmap for the process. Microsoft’s documentation, however, still says “TBD,” so the exact dates are not known yet. This leads to some speculating about the situation being one of “unexpected changes” coming from Chromium. Either way, sooner or later, Microsoft will ditch MV2-based extensions, so get ready as we wait for Microsoft to shine some light on its plans.

Another thing worth noting is that the change does not appear to be affecting Edge’s stable release or Beta/Dev Channels. For now, only Canary versions disable uBlock Origin and other MV2 extensions, leaving users a way to toggle them back on. Also, the uBlock Origin is still available in the Edge Add-ons store

      • Jo Miran@lemmy.mlEnglish
        8·
        2 months ago

        We need a truly FOSS browser that developed and maintained by the community. Librewolf isn’t it unless it fully forks away from Mozilla. We need a new engine and we just don’t have one yet.

          • grue@lemmy.worldEnglish
            6·
            2 months ago

            BSD licensed

            Ew. It ought to be AGPLv3.

            (I almost just said “copyleft,” but as Chromium proves, even LGPL is insufficient protection from corporate usurpation.)

            • tomenzgg@midwest.socialEnglish
              3·
              2 months ago

              Truly; it’s shocking how much people are still clinging to permissive licensing in the middle of everything going on.

            • MCasq_qsaCJ_234@lemmy.zipEnglish
              02·
              2 months ago

              An AGPL license is a verdict that the browser will not be successful.

              In addition, Ladybird is under the guardianship of a non-profit organization.

        • cley_faye@lemmy.worldEnglish
          1·
          2 months ago

          I agree. I’d even be willing to regularly donate to a foundation that would have this aim as their goal and have their acts matching their promises.

          Although, not necessarily a new engine. Going from scratch is a good way to remake a lot of mistakes, while reusing old code is a good way to keep old debt. That’s not a decision I would like to have to take.