01 — Site-level extension control
- Block or enable an extension for a specific website
- Understand which extensions have access to a site
- Manage extension permissions without leaving the browsing context
Microsoft Edge | 2024
Microsoft Edge Extension Revamp
Redesigning the extension management experience to increase user adoption, improve the post-installation journey, and reduce extension interference for Microsoft Edge users.
The Problem
Extensions create friction across the browsing experience.
Extensions should enhance browsing, but unclear controls and unexpected interference make them difficult to manage.
- Installed extensions can unexpectedly interfere with websites.
- Users struggle to find extensions after installation.
- The management hub does not clearly guide users to a solution.
- Post-installation progress and confirmation lack clarity.
- Privacy and site-access controls are difficult to discover.
Customer voices
“Extensions get added to my computer without me knowing.”
“Add a button to turn an extension off and on.”
“I need to disable ad blockers.”
“Microsoft is preventing this extension from getting removed.”
“I got a virus on my computer because of an ad blocker.”
“I can’t disable extensions. Show me how.”
Experience Audit
Three journeys.
Recurring friction.
I audited the existing Edge Extensions experience across key post-installation journeys to identify friction, inconsistencies, and opportunities for improvement.
02 — Extension discovery & management
- Find an extension after installation
- Quickly enable or disable an extension
- Recover extensions after disabling multiple extensions
03 — Browser & toolbar management
- Remove single or multiple extensions
- Pin or unpin extensions from the toolbar
- Disable all extensions when troubleshooting
The audit revealed three recurring user needs—easy access, quick recovery, and control & privacy.
Easy access
Users need installed extensions to be discoverable and accessible when they need them.
Quick recovery
Users need a simple way to identify and manage extensions when something unexpectedly affects their browsing experience.
Control & privacy
Users need clear visibility and control over what extensions can access, where they are active, and how to disable or remove them.
Design screens
Impact
91% Task Success Rate
↑ from 62%
Clearer hierarchy and improved discoverability helped users successfully find and manage extensions with less friction.
88% Task Completion Rate
↑ from 55%
Simplified workflows enabled more users to complete critical extension-management tasks independently.
43% Faster Task Completion
↓ from 1.7 min → 58 sec
Reduced steps and clearer interactions lowered cognitive load and made key tasks significantly faster.
4/5 User Confidence
↑ from 3/5
Users reported greater confidence and control when managing extensions, permissions, and privacy settings.