When Microsoft launched the Windows 10 operating system, the company packaged it with the new Edge web browser, which was designed to replace the Internet Explorer.
However, while Edge features better integration with other programs, such as for annotation tools, reading mode and even Microsoft's intelligent personal assistant Cortana, the browser doesn't support the use of Chrome extensions.
That may all changed after Jabob Rossi, one of the engineers working on Microsoft Edge, posted a tweet on Friday that they are currently working on a porting tool that would allow users to launch Chrome extensions using the new browser, noting that they have been received numerous questions about this particular concern.
Rossi said that the tool that they are developing will allow the use of only a select number of extensions for now, which would mainly focus on primary scenarios and API coverage. They hope to add more usable extensions in the future.
@jacobrossi extn's in Store will at first be a carefully selected set covering top scenarios and API coverage, opening up to more in future — Jacob Rossi (@jacobrossi) March 18, 2016
Rossi's announcement regarding the Microsoft Edge porting tool for Chrome extensions coincides with Microsoft's release of a new Insider build for the Windows 10 OS.
Build 14291 features a several upgrades for the operating system including enhancements on its core system and apps, as well as support for extensions specially designed for the Edge browser. This build is available to all members of Microsoft's Insider program.
Microsoft OS users can expect more revelations from the company in its upcoming BUILD developer conference at the end of March.
Aside from its available builds for Insider members, Microsoft is also expected to present its new Universal Windows Store, which has combined its previous Windows Phone Store and Windows Store into a single repository for customers.
Possible Similarities Between Edge And Chrome Extensions
On Tuesday, a landing page for the Edge browser went live ahead of its intended release date but was later taken down. The page supposedly featured three downloadable extensions: Reddit Enhancement Suite, Mouse Gestures and Microsoft Translator.
Despite not being able to launch the three Microsoft Edge extensions using Insider builds, one developer tried to load them using Google's Chrome system. He discovered that the Edge extensions were 100 percent compatible with Chrome.
The developer said it is likely that the source code Microsoft used for Edge was meant to appear identical with the one used for Google Chrome.
