Chrome 140: You Can Still Keep uBlock Origin Running (For Now)

Chrome 140: Still a Way to Keep uBlock Origin Alive

Google's recent rollout of Chrome 140 has thrown a wrench into the plans of many browser extension enthusiasts, particularly those reliant on the robust ad-blocking capabilities of uBlock Origin. The tech giant has significantly tightened the screws on extensions built with Manifest V2, effectively phasing out the experimental flags that previously offered a lifeline. While the easy workarounds are gone, a glimmer of hope remains for dedicated users seeking to preserve their preferred content blocker.

The End of the Road for Old Flags

For a period, users could extend the life of Manifest V2 extensions like uBlock Origin by toggling specific experimental flags in Chrome versions M137 and M138. These flags, seemingly offered as a grace period, allowed the browser to continue running older extensions. However, Google has decisively removed these provisions in Chrome 140. This means that simply flipping a switch in the browser's settings is no longer a viable option to keep Manifest V2 extensions active. The era of effortless backward compatibility for these extensions has effectively concluded.

A New Tactic: Modifying the Chrome Shortcut

Fear not, diligent ad-blocker aficionados! While the internal settings are now locked down, a clever workaround has emerged, focusing on how you launch the browser itself. The key lies in modifying the Chrome shortcut. By creating a new shortcut – either on your desktop or within the Start Menu – and appending a specific command to its target path, you can instruct Chrome to bypass the Manifest V2 restrictions.

Here’s the step-by-step process:

• Locate your existing Chrome shortcut or create a new one.
• Right-click on the shortcut and select "Properties."
• In the "Target" field, after the existing path to chrome.exe, add a space followed by the following command: --disable-features=ExtensionManifestV2Unsupported,ExtensionManifestV2Disabled
• Save the changes to the shortcut.
• Launch Chrome exclusively through this modified shortcut.

This seemingly simple alteration can allow you to re-enable uBlock Origin or even install it anew from the Chrome Web Store, at least for the time being. It’s a testament to the ingenuity of the tech community in finding solutions amidst evolving platform policies.

Alternative Installation and the Inevitable Future

For those who prefer a more manual approach, the "Load Unpacked" feature still presents an option. However, this method now requires an additional preliminary step: activating a specific flag, namely "Temporarily unexpire M139 flags" for Chrome 140 or "Temporarily unexpire M140 flags" for Chrome 141, before you can proceed with loading the extension.

It's crucial to understand that these are not permanent solutions. Think of them as temporary reprieves, akin to finding a detour when a main road is closed. Google's trajectory clearly indicates a determined push towards Manifest V3, and future Chrome updates will undoubtedly continue to erode support for Manifest V2 extensions, eventually rendering them completely inoperable.

Planning for the Inevitable Transition

While these workarounds offer immediate relief, they underscore the necessity of long-term planning. Users who depend on the functionality of Manifest V2 blockers like uBlock Origin must consider their options. The most straightforward path involves migrating to a browser that continues to embrace Manifest V2, such as Firefox or Opera. Alternatively, a proactive approach involves embracing the future by switching to a Manifest V3-compatible content blocker, with uBlock Origin Lite being a prime example of this next-generation technology.

The technological landscape is constantly shifting. While the persistence of uBlock Origin in Chrome 140 through clever workarounds is commendable, users must remain vigilant and prepare for the inevitable transition to newer, more secure, and more standardized browser extension architectures.