Extensions management

This article provides details to help you manage extensions in the Microsoft Edge management service.

Manage extensions

To manage extension settings for a profile, go to the Microsoft Edge management service, select the configuration policy you want to work with, and then select the Extensions tab. You can configure default settings that apply to all extensions in the Manage extensions panel. You may also add individual extensions to the profile to manage settings for each extension uniquely. If you configure specific settings on an individual extension, then those settings override the profile settings.

Import existing extension settings to an existing configuration policy

Follow these steps to import extension settings:

1. Select the profile you want to import extension settings to and go to the Extensions pivot.
2. Select Import JSON.
3. Under Import JSON, browse for the JSON file that contains your extension settings and then select Import. Importing might overwrite any previous configurations. Note that it may take some time to complete the import if the file is large.

After confirmation, your profile will be populated with the imported settings.

Export extension settings to configure the ExtensionSettings policy

Follow these steps to export extension settings:

1. Select the profile you want to export extension settings from and go to the Extensions pivot.
2. Select Export JSON and the export will start downloading.

After the download is finished, you can apply the JSON as a value to the ExtensionSettings group policy.

Manage settings for all extensions

Follow these steps to manage profile settings:

1. Select a profile and go to the Extensions pivot.

2. Select Manage extensions to configure any of the settings in the following table.

   Setting	Description
   Block all extensions	Users can't install any extensions (unless the extension is on the allow list).
   Allowed types of apps and extensions	Specify what types of app or extensions users are allowed to install.
   Install sources	Specify which URLs are allowed to install extensions. For URL pattern examples, see the Defining match patterns.
   External extensions	Allow or block installation of external extensions.
   Message for users when extension is blocked	Set a custom message that displays if users try to install a blocked extension.
   Blocked hosts	Prevent extensions from interacting with or modifying websites that you specify. The host pattern format is similar to match patterns except you can't define the path.
   Allowed hosts	Allow extensions to interact with or modify websites, even if they're defined in blocked hosts. The host pattern format is similar to match patterns except you can't define the path.
   Block extensions that require these permissions	Prevent users from installing/running extensions that need the permissions you select.

3. When you're finished configuring extension settings, select Save.

Add an extension

Follow these steps to add an extension:

1. Select a profile and go to the Extensions pivot.
2. Select Select extension.
3. Under Select an extension, select an extension from the Microsoft Edge Add-ons store or specify an external extension ID.
4. Select Select.

Manage an extension

After selecting an extension, you can configure settings for a specific extension. These settings only apply to the extension that you select and will override any profile settings.

Manage extension policy

Decide if an extension is allowed, blocked, or forced by setting its installation policy. Follow these steps to configure this setting:

1. Select an extension.

2. Select Manage installation policy and choose one of the following options from the dropdown list:

   • Allow: Users can install the extension. This is the default setting.
   • Block: Users can't install the extension. You could remove the extension if users previously installed it. Also, you can write a message that displays when users try to install the extension.
   • Force: The extension is automatically installed. Users can't remove it. You can optionally specify an update URL for the initial extension installation and use it for subsequent updates.
   • Normal: The extension is automatically installed. Users can disable it. You can optionally specify an update URL for the initial extension installation and use it for subsequent updates.

3. Select Save.

Manage hosts

Control what websites extensions can access. Prevent extensions from altering web pages by specifying which URLs should block extensions from making changes or reading data from. Allow extensions to interact with or modify websites, even if they're defined in blocked hosts. The host pattern format is similar to match patterns except you can't define the path. Follow these steps to configure this setting:

1. Select an extension.
2. Select Manage hosts. In the Hosts window, specify blocked and allowed host URLs.
3. Select Save.

Manage permissions

Prevent users from installing and using the extension if it requires certain permissions that your organization doesn't allow. Follow these steps to configure this setting:

1. Select an extension.
2. Select Manage permissions. You can choose to use the default permissions that were defined in the profile settings or change these permissions. Use the Permissions window to allow all permissions, or customize permissions by choosing certain permissions that aren't allowed.
3. Select Save.

Edit minimum version

Specify the minimum version required for the extension. The extension will be disabled if it's a version older than what's specified, even if its installation policy is forced. The format of the version string is the same as the one used in the extension manifest. Follow these steps to configure this setting:

1. Select an extension.
2. Select Edit minimum version. In the Minimum version required window, enter the minimum version in the textbox.
3. Select Save.

Manage toolbar state

Choose how an extension is displayed in the toolbar. Follow these steps to configure this setting:

1. Select an extension.

2. Under Toolbar state, choose one of the following options:

   • Hidden: This is the default setting.
   • Shown: Show the extension on installation. Users can hide it from the toolbar.
   • Force shown: Always show extension on the toolbar. Users won't be able to hide it from the toolbar.

3. Select Save.

Manage extension requests

If you have blocked any extension for your organization, you can allow users to request access to them. To turn on this feature, go to a configuration policy and navigate to the Requests tab in the Extensions pivot. Select Manage request settings and set the value to Enabled to allow users to request blocked extensions. Once enabled, you can view all extensions that your users have requested on this page.

You can also choose to receive email notifications when new requests come in. To do this, use these steps:

1. Check the box that says Notify me about incoming requests by email.
2. Specify the email address where you would like to receive the notifications.
3. Set the frequency at which you would like to receive these notifications (daily, weekly, or monthly).
4. Select Save.

To set the installation policy on a requested extension, use these steps:

1. Select an extension.

2. Select Manage installation policy and choose one of the following options from the dropdown list:

   • Allow: Users can install the extension. This is the default setting.
   • Block: Users can't install the extension. You can remove the extension if a user previously installed it. Also, you can write a message that displays when users try to install the extension.
   • Force: The extension is automatically installed. Users can't remove it. You can optionally specify an update URL for the initial extension installation and use it for subsequent updates.
   • Normal: The extension is automatically installed. Users can disable it. You can optionally specify an update URL for the initial extension installation and use it for subsequent updates.

3. Select Save.

Manage sidebar apps

To manage sidebar apps for a profile, go to the profile and navigate to the Extensions pivot. You can allow, block, or force enable specific sidebar apps.

Use the following steps to manage sidebar apps:

1. Select Select extension.
2. Under Select an extension, navigate to the Sidebar apps pivot and select an app.
3. Select Select.

After selecting a sidebar app, you can configure its installation policy to Allow, Block, or Force.

See also

• Microsoft Edge management service