Microsoft Edge is getting an option to pause extensions on sites
Microsoft is testing a new feature in its Edge web browser that allows users to pause extensions on specific sites.
The feature description may remind some users of Google Chrome’s option to restrict access to the extension, but it’s actually different. First of all, because the Chrome feature is also available in other Chromium-based browsers, including Microsoft Edge. Second, because Microsoft’s implementation pauses access only temporarily.
The feature is currently tested by AB, but details are unclear. I checked two devices, one didn’t have the option in Edge Canary, the other did. The main difference between the two was that more extensions were installed on the second system.
A click on the Extension icon on Edge’s main toolbar and the three-dot menu selection displays the new option, if available. It says “Pause extensions on this site”, and when you activate it, it will do exactly that. All extensions are paused and the site automatically reloads. Note that there is no option to customize this; you cannot pause one or more extensions; It’s all or nothing at this point.
Microsoft Edge displays a reminder at the top after the page has reloaded: “Extensions are paused on this site. We have stopped extensions on this site to keep data sharing to a minimum.”
The description reveals Microsoft’s main intention: to limit data sharing. Users may have other reasons, including to overcome compatibility issues on a specific site.
A reload does not change the status regarding the extensions as they remain paused on the site. A browser restart also does not change the paused state. A click on the extensions management icon displays a resume extensions button. Activating it restores the use of the extension on the site. A recharge completes the process.
Microsoft Edge Canary comes with a second extension pause preference. It is enabled by default, unlike the user-facing option, and will automatically pause extensions on sensitive sites.
The option appears at edge://settings/privacy under Security.
Microsoft reveals that the option disables extensions on sensitive banking and payment sites, but does not provide details. I tried several banking and payment sites, including Bank of America, PayPal, and also regional sites, and the extensions stopped automatically on only a few. An option to manually add sites to the list is missing, but the front-end setting to pause extensions is available and can be used for that purpose. Still, an option to manage a list of sites would certainly be welcome.
closing words
The ability to pause extensions on some sites has two main purposes: to disable sending data on sites for privacy reasons, and to resolve compatibility issues. The feature is currently in testing and may never be introduced in stable versions of the Microsoft Edge web browser.
Now you: pause extensions, is that a feature you would use? (via leopeva64)
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