Install Firefox, Chrome and Opera extensions manually

Install browser extensions manually
Get more from your web browser by installing extensions from outside the official channels

Firefox, Chrome and Opera are fantastic browsers in their own right, and are made even better by the wealth of extensions available in their respective stores. However, for various reasons, not all add-ons are available in the official stores, and must instead be installed manually.

Bear in mind that some extensions aren't available in the official browser stores for security reasons. Take care to only install add-ons downloaded from legitimate sources, and remember that you're doing so at your own risk.

Firefox

Mozilla's browser is the most amenable to add-ons installed from outside the official channels. To install an extension manually, download the XPI file, then open Firefox and select 'Add-ons' from the menu. Drag and drop the downloaded file onto the list of currently available extensions. Click 'Install', then restart your browser when prompted to activate the extension.

Download and install Firefox extensions manually

Installing Firefox extensions manually is easy - simply drag and drop

Chrome

Chrome extensions are a different matter entirely. A couple of years ago, Google decided to prevent users running third-party add-ons from outside the official store (in order to protect them from malware).

It might look like you can install extensions by dragging and dropping a downloaded CRX file onto the Extensions list, but it will be greyed out and you'll be unable to activate it.

Last year, Google extended this policy to the developer version of the browser, closing down that possible avenue.

If you really want to install a Chrome extension from outside the store, your best option is to use Opera, which is based on the same open source technology and also supports CRX files.

Download and install Chrome extensions manually

Google has chosen to block users from installing third-party add-one from outside its official store

Opera

Open Opera and select 'Extensions > Manage extensions' from the menu. Drag and drop the CRX (for extensions designed for Chrome) or OEX (extensions developed for Opera) file onto the list of installed extensions.

Opera will inform you that the extension has been added from outside the official store, and tell you what data it will be able to access. If you're happy, click 'Install' and the extension will be ready to use.

Download and install Opera extensions manually

Get around the blocks on Chrome extensions by installing them in Opera instead
Cat Ellis

Cat is the editor of TechRadar's sister site Advnture. She’s a UK Athletics qualified run leader, and in her spare time enjoys nothing more than lacing up her shoes and hitting the roads and trails (the muddier, the better)