This short article explains how to install a Chrome VPN extension on Microsoft Edge and lists several VPN extensions that are working smoothly on Edge.
Microsoft Edge, the flagship web browser of the Windows operating system, has entered a new era in January 2020, when the Chromium-based version was launched. The new architecture not only offers features existing in Google Chrome, but it is able to run Chrome extensions.
As this blog is about VPNs, we are especially interested in Chrome VPN extensions. Thus, here is how to get a Microsoft Edge VPN extension.
How to install a Chrome VPN extension on Microsoft Edge [Summary]
- Option 1 (more details with pictures below):
- Open the Microsoft Edge browser.
- Navigate to the Google Web Store or directly to your preferred extension.
- Click on Allow extensions from other stores, next to You can now add extensions from the Chrome Web Store to Microsoft Edge.
- Click on the Allow button in the warning window.
- Search for the desired extension.
- Click the Add to Chrome button to add the VPN extension to Microsoft Edge.
- Option 2:
- Open the Microsoft Edge browser.
- Open the Settings > Extensions menu.
- Toggle on the Allow extensions from other stores option from the left-lower corner.
- Open the Google Web Store and search for a VPN extension.
- Click the Add to Chrome button.
- Proceed with the installation.
What is a VPN extension?
A VPN extension is an unsuitable name given by VPN (Virtual Private Network) providers for their proxy browser extensions.
Even though VPN extensions hide your public IP address while browsing the Internet and help you get around Internet censorship, unblock websites, and protect your privacy, they are not using the VPN tunneling, but proxies.
It is important to remember that VPN extensions do not encrypt your traffic and only hide your public IP address while using a web browser.
You may find more info on how a VPN extension is different from a VPN app here.
How can Microsoft Edge run Chrome VPN extensions?
On 15th of January 2020, Microsoft released a new version of its browser (Edge) based on Chromium, the engine behind Google Chrome. It was a bold and unexpected move from Microsoft.
However, for the regular Internet user, the latest Edge browser (version 79+) is good news as it offers many of the features found in Google Chrome. And yes, Chrome extensions are working with the new Edge.
For VPN and proxy users it means that their favorites Chrome extensions are now available on Edge too. And, these VPN extensions are working exactly the same as on Chrome (at least they should).
Important! Older versions of Microsoft Edge (v.44 and below) are not able to run Chrome extensions. You need to upgrade to the latest version to be able to install Chrome VPN extensions.
How to install a Chrome VPN extension on Microsoft Edge?
By default, the Edge browser allows you only to install Microsoft-approved Edge Addons (extensions for Microsoft Edge). But, you may enable access to Chrome extensions easily. Here are two options to get access to Chrome VPN extensions from Microsoft Edge.
Option 1
The most straightforward approach is to search for a Chrome extension and proceed with the recommended settings:
- Open the Microsoft Edge browser.
- Load the Google Web Store or the page of a Chrome VPN extension (e.g., the NordVPN extension).
- Click on Allow extensions from other stores, next to the text You can now add extensions from the Chrome Web Store to Microsoft Edge.
- Click on the Allow button in the warning window.
- Search for the desired extension in the Google Web Store.
- Click the Add to Chrome button to add the VPN extension to Microsoft Edge.
- Continue with the installation by clicking on the Add Extension button.
- You have successfully installed the VPN extension on Microsoft Edge. You may now log-in (or sign up) and start using the extension.
Notice that once you allow extensions from other stores to run on Edge you will be able to install any Chrome extension by simply clicking the Add to Chrome button.
Option 2
The second option is to modify the Edge settings in order to be able to install Chrome extensions without additional warning messages:
- Open the Microsoft Edge browser.
- Open the Settings > Extensions menu.
- Turn on the Allow extensions from other stores option.
- Open the Google Web Store and search for a VPN extension.
- Click the Add to Chrome button.
- Proceed with the installation of the extension.
- Finally, you may use the VPN extension in the same way you do in Google Chrome.
Chrome VPN extensions tested on Microsoft Edge
We like quality VPN services and we recommend only those that we regularly use ourselves.
After the release of the new Microsoft Edge, we tested several VPNs that we usually use:
- The CyberGhost VPN extension is not necessarily the best VPN extension for Edge, but it is free and it does what it is supposed to. It simply allows you to connect/disconnect to the following locations: United States, Germany, The Netherlands, and Romania.
- NordVPN is a top VPN provider. The NordVPN Chrome extension works smoothly and provides access to plenty of servers and locations.
- The ibVPN VPN extension is one of our favorites. It provides free access to the Guest Mode and offers useful features like the Bypass list, SmartProxy, and shortcuts.
Have you tested other Chrome VPN extensions on Microsoft Edge? Feel free to let us know in the comments below.
Microsoft Edge VPN extension alternative
If you are generally interested in browsing the web securely while using the Edge browser you should know that browser extensions are not the only available approach.
You may use VPN apps (aka VPN clients or VPN software) as a VPN for Microsoft Edge to encrypt your entire Internet connection. A VPN app provides traffic encryption, protects all applications, and allows access to advanced features like VPN protocol selection, Kill Switch, IP and DNS leak protection.
All major VPN providers (including those listed above) grant access to custom-built, easy-to-use VPN applications for major operating systems: Windows VPN apps, macOS VPN apps, VPN apps for iOS, Android VPN apps, or VPN apps for Chrome OS.
Finally, it is your task to choose a VPN for Edge between installing a light browser extension or use a complete VPN app.
Summary
Installing Chrome VPN extensions on Microsoft Edge is straightforward. Thus, you may use Edge in the same way you do with Google Chrome when it comes to unblocking websites, streaming, or hiding your public IP address and location.
To allow the installation of Chrome extensions on Edge you need to turn on the Allow extensions from other stores option in the ways presented above.
Make sure you let us know your preferred VPN extension on Edge and also subscribe to our newsletter to get other need-to-know VPN tips! You would make a Transylvanian baby-bat 🦇happy!
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