Not all extensions are created equal. Some extensions, like Grammarly, run silently in the background and don’t need an icon in the Chrome toolbar. Here’s how to ping and unping extensions for a cleaner Chrome toolbar.
How to ping and unping extensions in Chrome
The Extensions toolbar menu functionality was first introduced in Chrome 76. Prior to the update, all extensions appeared directly in the Chrome toolbar. You can now choose which extensions to show in the Chrome toolbar and which to hide in the extensions menu.
Before you start, make sure you’re using the latest version of Chrome.
Soon: How to update Google Chrome
Then click on the “Extensions” button next to your profile avatar.
This drop-down list will show you all the extensions that are installed and enabled in Chrome. You will notice that they are divided into two categories: “Full access” and “No access required”.
AT?? Next to each extension, you will see a pushpin icon. If the icon is blue, it means the extension is pinned to the Chrome toolbar. If it is white, it means that the extension is hidden.
Click the “Pushpin” icon to pin or unpin a Chrome extension on the toolbar.
Once an extension is pinned, you can then click and drag the icons to rearrange the order.
Just because an extension is not pinged does not mean that it is not active. You can click on the “Extensions” button and select an extension to activate it. The extension icon will temporarily appear in the Chrome toolbar and you will be able to interact with all extension items (from the drop-down menu).
How to disable the Extensions toolbar menu
Although the new Extensions menu offers more organizational features, it makes things more complex. If you want all new extensions to end up in the Chrome toolbar, you can turn off the functionality of the extensions toolbar entirely using the Chrome flags.
Remark: Enabling and disabling Chrome flags can prevent Chrome from functioning properly. Additionally, Google may remove the option to turn off the Extensions toolbar menu in the future.
Enter the following command in Chrome’s Omnibox (the URL bar) and press “Enter”:
chrome: // flags / # extensions-toolbar-menu
You can also type “chrome: // flags” in the URL bar, then search for “Extensions Toolbar” to access it.
Now click on the drop-down arrow next to the “Extensions Toolbar Menu” list.
Here, choose the option “Disabled”.
You will now need to restart Chrome. From the bottom of the page, click on the “Relaunch” button.
And just like that, the extensions toolbar is gone, and the old way is back. All of your extensions will now be visible next to the URL bar.
You can customize many aspects of the Chrome browser using flags. Here are the best Chrome flags to turn on for better browsing.
