Disabling Add-ons in Common Web Browsers

Add-ons installed in a web browser can provide lots of helpful functionality.  Some add-ons help block pop-ups, while others give us the weather the current weather forecast.  One thing they all have in common, to varying degrees, is that they all slow down the web browser in which they are installed.  Here is a quick guide on disabling add-ons in a few of the most common web browsers.

 

Disabling Add-ons in Internet Explorer 9

  1. Click on the Tools gear icon in the upper-right corner of the browser (or press <ALT>+<X>), then select Internet Options.  
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  2. From the Programs tab select Manage add-ons.
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  3. Once in the Manage Add-ons screen, you can highlight any add-on and click the Disable button to disable it.  If you would like to enable an add-on which is already disabled, simply highlight the add-on and click on the Enable button.  
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Disabling Add-ons in Google Chrome

  1. Click on the Tools wrench icon in the upper-right corner of the browser, and select Options.  
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  2. In the left navigation column, select Extension.  
  3. To disable any of the add-ons/extensions, simply uncheck the checkbox labeled Enabled.  
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Disabling Add-ons in Mozilla Firefox

  1. Click on the Firefox menu button in the upper left corner of the browser window, then select Options.
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  2. From the General tab select Manage Add-ons…
  3. Firefox uses two types of add-ons: Extensions and Plugins.  To disable either type simply click on the Disable button next to the add-on which you would like to disable.  To enable a disabled add-on, simply click on the Enable button next to the disabled add-on.  
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Robert Borges

About Robert...

I have been in the IT industry since 1993 focusing mainly on networking. Though I got an early start as an amateur computer enthusiast and wrote my first database app at age 12, I started my professional career working in the MIS department of one of the largest liquor distributors in the northeast. I started out there as a systems operator on the company’s two mainframe systems. From there I moved into PC support, and help design and implement the company’s first client-server network… This was back in the days of Win NT 3.51 when I worked on my first migration to Windows NT 4.0 server.

From there I went on to work with Novell 3.x and 4.x along with Windows domains and Microsft's brand new Active Directory. Working my way up from technician to specialist, to an administrator, and eventually all the way up to Sr. Engineer. I spent many years working for MSPs/consulting firms, 9 of which I owned and operated my own firm.

Over the years, I have worked with (at an expert level) various versions of Windows client and server operating systems (including Windows 11 and Windows Server 2019); various virtualization technologies (Hyper-V, VMware, etc.); MS-SQL server 6.5- 2014 R2; Exchange 4-2019, and much more.  Over the years I have built a lot of experience around the Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365 cloud environments.

I am now CTO at Infused Innovations where our team is focusing on helping clients build a Secure Intelligent Workplace through InfoSec (Zero Trusts Framework), Modern Workplace, and Business Intelligence.

I have been heavily involved in the IT user group community, including serving as president of the board of Boston User Groups, Inc., and president of IT-Pro User Group. In 2017/2018 Microsoft awarded me the Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) Award, with a focus of Microsoft Azure cloud, for my efforts in the IT community.

I am in a constant state of learning about new products, and new versions of products. Many of which we end up implementing in lab environments and sometimes for our clients. I have a very broad range of expertise and experience. It is my goal to share some of this experience on this blog to help enrich the IT community.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.robertborges.us/2012/05/windows/disabling-add-ons-in-common-web-browsers/

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