About plugins: troubleshooting, plug-ins, how to disable plug-in

Many users of modern browsers have repeatedly had to deal with so-called plug-ins (add-ons) that are integrated into the appropriate web browser to expand the possibilities of working on the Internet. Access to their settings in many browsers can be obtained through the about: plugins command, entered in the address bar. How to make settings or eliminate the problems that arise in the operation of a particular add-on will now be considered.

About: plugins. Options for accessing settings

For the most part, this command is used in "chromo-like" browsers, that is, in programs created based on Google Chrome. A vivid example is the use of the about: plugins command for the Yandex browser, the Chromium application, and so on.

However, in the same way you can access the extension settings in the popular Mozilla Firefox browser. As for the "Chrome" itself, here two types of commands can be entered in the address bar, depending on the version of the program.

So, in different modifications, the commands about: plugins or chrome: // plugins can be used. The second command is used in newer versions. In any case, the user enters the menu, which shows all the installed extensions (active and inactive).

About: plugins. Plug-ins

All modules listed in the list can be conditionally divided into two large groups: embedded in the installed version of the browser and uploaded by the user.

An example of embedded extensions in the same Google Chrome web browser can be Adobe Plash Player and PDF Viewer, which are present in the program initially and are in the activated state.

In some browsers you can find a plugin called AdBlock or something like that. Such extensions allow you to block drop-down menus, pop-ups, advertisements, banners, and sometimes even questionable content. In this respect, the Chinese browser 360 Safety Browser has distinguished itself most, since the locking module in the settings is activated by default. This creates quite a lot of problems, the solution of which will be suggested below.

Disabling unnecessary or unused add-ons

So, to access the list of extensions, use about: plugins (Yandex Browser or Chrome, whatever). In this case, we are interested in the issue of deactivating plug-ins.

After you enter the about: plugins command, you can disable the plug-in in two ways. In some browsers, in front of the line with the name and description of the plug-in, there is a special box in which a tick is used to activate it. There is nothing easier than just removing it and restarting the program in order for the changes to take effect.

Other applications use to disable the hyperlink highlighted in blue. As a rule, it is called "Disconnect". To re-enable the hyperlink is changed to "Enable".

Main problems with operability

With options for accessing the list of extensions and questions about their activation (deactivation) everything is clear. Here no one should arise problems. But there are situations when the plug-in seems to be turned on, but its correct work remains in doubt (it may not work at all). Often the browser itself starts to give out messages that some add-on is not supported, has an outdated version, etc. Solve such problems can be very simple.

Updates of plugins and browsers

Let's start with the situation when an extension is not supported by a particular browser or its version. The simplest solution is to find the plug-in for this browser and its modification.

On the other hand, the problem can often be solved by updating the extension itself. In most cases this applies to Adobe Flash Player and Adobe Shockwave Player. Usually, they are independently installed or as a built-in extension in the browser, they integrate into the system a special program-updater that works in the background, and if there is a constant connection to the Internet, it tracks the appearance of new updates.

In the simplest case, you have to agree with the upgrade proposal, download the latest version from the official resource, and then install it using the installation file with the startup as administrator. Before installing, you need to close all browsers. Plug-ins of this type are integrated into all Internet browsers installed on the system, regardless of their developer.

As for the other extensions, after entering the command about access to the about: plugins list in front of the plug-ins for which there are updates, the buttons or hyperlinks will be displayed, clicking on which will update them automatically.

Finally, if the extension for some reason can not function correctly, the problem may also be that the outdated version has a web browser, which means that the installation of a plug-in, designed for a more recent modification, does not lead to the desired result. In this case, you can do two things: either find the update point in the program settings menu, or simply download the installation distribution of the latest version, and then install it, or set the automatic update option.

Note: for some browsers, a new modification on top of the old one is not recommended, since there may be a conflict between them, and the system will start to rush about in search of a solution for one of them. Therefore, before installing, first uninstall the old version from at least one of the standard programs and components (install and uninstall programs), or use third-party utilities.

For these purposes, the best uninstaller iOBit Uninstaller works best, which removes not only the main application files, but also the system registry keys. Not to mention the residual components.

Another situation with the inoperability of plug-ins can be connected only with the fact that a certain resource simply does not support its functioning. But this is purely a technical matter, depending only on the owner of the site.

Problems with blocking the content of web pages

Separately it is worthwhile to dwell on the module AdBlock, which in some browsers is built-in and activated by default. The expansion is no doubt useful, but its false positives often cause criticism.

Of course, when you switch to the list of extensions with the about: plugins command, you can completely disable it. But it will only turn out that the plug-in will not block any page, which will invariably lead to discomfort from obsessive advertising and the appearance of a huge number of self-opening windows.

To avoid this situation, you need to go to the extension settings. It has two types of data being disabled: blocking pop-up windows and turning off questionable page elements. It is better to activate only the first parameter.

In addition, just below the lock / lock sliders there is a special button Exception websites, which is responsible for accessing the list of exceptions by the type that is available in antivirus programs. Here you just need to register the full page addresses using the http: // www prefix, which can not be blocked, and save the changes.

Instead of an afterword

As you can see, regardless of the browser, you can configure plug-ins on your own without problems. As for eliminating possible problems, you first need to find out the root cause of the failure. Most often (and this is confirmed by many users) troubleshoot by updating the software, without using any system settings or parameters of web browsers. The same version is applicable to the problem of compatibility extensions with installed browsers.