How to Disable Extensions and Plugins in Google Chrome

Extensions are programs that provide added functionality to Google Chrome, and are usually developed by a third-party. They're a big reason for the browser's overall popularity. Meanwhile, plugins let Chrome process web content like Flash and Java.

Though they're free to download and easy to install, you might find the need to disable or uninstall one or more of these add-ons. As is the case with extensions, you might want to toggle plugins on/off from time to time, either to increase security or troubleshoot a problem with Chrome.

How to Delete or Disable Chrome Extensions

There are two ways to get to the right window for removing or disabling Chrome extensions. One is through the Chrome menu and the other is by entering a special URL into Chrome's navigation bar.

1. Copy/paste chrome://extensions into the navigation bar in Chrome or use the menu button (the three vertical dots) on the top right of Chrome to access the More tools > Extensions option.
2. Next to the extension you want to manage, either uncheck the Enabled box to disable the Chrome extension or click the trash button to remove it.
   
   Disabled extensions that are still installed will simply turn black and white and become usable, and the box will change from Enabled to Enable. Removing a Chrome extension will prompt you with a confirmation box, and will be completely uninstalled.
3. This part is optional, but if you're deleting a Chrome extension that you didn't install yourself (like if it was installed by accident by a malicious program), you can check the "Report abuse" box before confirming the delete, which will tell Chrome that the extension shouldn't be trusted.

Enabling extensions in Chrome is as easy as going back to Step 2 and choosing Enable.

How to Disable Chrome Plugins

Chrome plugins like Adobe Flash are managed through Chrome's Content settings window.

1. Use the chrome://settings/content URL or open the Chrome menu and navigate to the Settings > Show advanced settings > Content Settings... button.

1. Scroll down to the plugin you wish to control, and then use the block/do not allow option to disable the plugin.
   
   You can disable Flash, for instance, by choosing the Block sites from running Flash option.
   
   To stop all websites from using plugins, find the Unsandboxed plugin access section and select the option called Do not allow any sites to use a plugin to access your computer.