By Gina Barrow, Last updated: August 27, 2019
Jan 26, 2017 Back in the day when Apple releases the final version of the macOS Sierra on 20 September 2016 ago. The next day I quickly download and upgrade my Mac OS and do some tests and tweak on it. I notice there is a problem when I try to install some of the apps that not officially approved by Apple. Enable and install screensavers on your Mac Since there are a few people who still use CRT screens, screensavers aren't as important and popular as they used to be. However, that doesn't mean that they can't offer a great way to make your display look better while your Mac is idle.
Learn the different ways on how to enable or disable Mac extensions as well as the methods on how to keep your system at its optimum performance.
You may have heard about browser extensions from friends or online yet you are not really familiar with this technical thing so you search and find it difficult to understand or use.
In this article, we will explain all about there is on extensions including the many ways on how to enable or disable Mac extensions, update, and even uninstall this feature.
Read along to find out how you can make your browsing experience better and more personalized.
Part 1. What are Mac Extensions?
Mac extensions are software features that are added to the browser, phone or the OS for extended or added functionalities. Extensions are made by third-party developers that are downloaded, installed and enabled at any time.
How does it work?
These extensions integrate with the browser for specific sets of tasks which let you discover new and fun ways to personalize browsing experience.
Like for example, if you are frequently using Amazon, you can install an extension which lets you browse or search at anytime. There will be a search bar added on the browser taskbar to let you conveniently use it at any time.
Another example for extensions is those pop-up blockers which are normally annoying whenever you open certain web pages. You can easily add an Ad-blocker to trap these pop-ups and will no longer bug you when opening new pages.
Part 2. How to Manually Enable or Disable Mac Extensions?
This is a paLike other software, extensions need to be downloaded or installed.
Extensions can be downloaded and installed using the Safari browser. This adds features, changes appearance, and ease of use of certain web pages.
1. Open Preferences from the Safari menu
2. Click Extensions
3. Find the desired extensions you wish to use.
4. Check or uncheck the Enable box
5.Install desired extension, If needed to uninstall, click the uninstall button
The steps to enable or disable Mac extensions are so easy, however, you have to do this every time you have new extensions to use on the browser.
You can also get extensions directly from the developers. Upon downloading an extension from the developer, you will see a file that usually ends with .safariextz. Double-click on the given file to install the extension.
These extensions are not signed or hosted by Apple, so Safari needs to ask you to confirm that you trust the source and want to continue the installation.ragraph
Part 3. Difference between Extensions, Plug-ins, and Add-ons
For non-technical people, it seemed that they are looking at the same exact thing when they hear about extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins. However, they are in fact different from each other in so many ways.
Let me define each of them so you won’t get confused the next time you see any of them.
Extensions
We have already discussed extensions, its definitions and how to enable or disable it, so I’ll give you some popular extensions on Mac instead:
1. AdBlock
2. Web Clipper
3. 1Password
4. Save to Pocket
5. And Duck Duck Go
These are the most common Safari extensions which you normally see and use. Although we often mistake them to be part of the web browser, at least no we understood that these are called extensions which are separate entities from the Safari.
Add-ons
Add-ons are pieces of software that can be considered or similar to extensions. Like extensions, add-ons can do magical things on a web browser. They are used interchangeably at often times.
Plugins
Plugins only add specific feature or content to an existing computer program and it does not affect the entire Safari browser. It doesn’t offer the same capabilities as extensions.
1. Adobe Flash Player
2. QuickTime Player
3. And Java
Plugins only affect an existing page and not the entire browser like how extensions work.
Part 4. Enable or Disable Mac Extensions All-in-One
To avoid further hassles and headaches on how to enable or disable Mac extensions on your browser, you can use FoneDog Mac Cleaner. FoneDog Mac Cleaner lets you enable or disable Mac extensions in one place.
This program keeps all the extensions and other browser tools organized. All you need is to download and install FoneDog Mac Cleaner on the computer.
1. Launch FoneDog Mac Cleaner.
2. Click Cleaner on the top menus once the program has loaded.
3. Choose System Junk and press the Scan button.
Note: Steps in System Junks are similar to those in other functions in Cleaner.
4. Wait for the scanning process and view the items.
5. Select logs on Mac to clean. You can choose system logs under each category to clean.
Note:How To Enable Download On Mac Chrome
You are free to clean no more than 500 MB system junks in Mac Cleaner. If you need to clean more junks, please press the Purchase button.
6. Press the Clean button after you select the log items.
Tips:
You are required to enter your username and password on this Mac first.
7. Make a confirm.
The extensions will be listed onscreen wherein it prompts you to turn on or off at any time and altogether in one place.
FoneDog Mac Cleaner can also clean system log files and speed up Mac performance. It can also diagnose system status and scan it for other possible issues.
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Part 5. How to Update Extensions
Just like the Safari browser itself, extensions need to be updated from time to time because developers also release new bug fixes and versions. The Safari browser automatically updates extensions that were installed from ‘Safari Extensions Gallery’ on those Mac running with Safari 9 in OS X Yosemite or the most recent.
You can also manually update the extensions that are downloaded from the developer or those extensions installed during an earlier Safari version.
1. On the Mac, choose Preferences from the Safari menu
2. Find and click on Extensions
3. Click Updates from the lower-left portion of the screen.
Note:Updates only appears when there are available otherwise you don’t see them at any time.
4. Click the Update button. Click on each extension with available updates that you wish to install.
Part 6. Summary
We have just learned all the necessary things we need to know about extensions as well as on how to enable or disable Mac extensions from the article above. We have two options to do so: Manually or by using FoneDog Mac Cleaner. You have the choices on how you wish to enable or disable it at any given time.
It doesn’t matter if you need extensions on your browser or not, at least you have understood how to use it in the future. Share it with friends too!
Safari User Guide
Download music, PDFs, software, and other items by clicking links on webpages.
Important: If a download contains software, an alert appears when you open the item. To be safe, don’t open it if you weren’t expecting a software program or if it’s not from a trusted source.
How To Enable Download On Mac Os
Download an item
In the Safari app on your Mac, click anything identified as a download link, or Control-click an image or other object on the page.
Choose Download Linked File. (Some webpage items can’t be downloaded.)
Safari decompresses files such as .zip files after it downloads them.
Note: If you download an item that you previously downloaded, Safari removes the older duplicate so it doesn’t take up space on your Mac. See Optimize storage space on your Mac.
See items you downloaded
In the Safari app on your Mac, click the Show Downloads button near the top-right corner of the Safari window.
The button isn’t shown if the downloads list is empty.
Do any of the following:
Pause a download: Click the Stop button to the right of the filename in the downloads list. To resume, click the Resume button .
Find a downloaded item on your Mac: Click the magnifying glass next to the filename in the downloads list. If you move a file or change the download location after downloading it, Safari can’t find the file.
Tip: To change where downloaded items are saved on your Mac, choose Safari > Preferences, click General, then click the “File download location” pop-up menu and choose a location.
Clear the downloads list: In the downloads list, click Clear. To remove one item, Control-click it, then choose Remove From List.
By default, Safari automatically removes an item after one day. To change when items are automatically removed, choose Safari > Preferences, click General, then click the “Remove download list items” pop-up menu and choose an option.