If you use the Microsoft Edge browser, you might have noticed something strange with your uBlock Origin extension. One day it was working perfectly, and the next, it seemed to be replaced by a different version called “uBlock Origin Lite.” This change was confusing and, for many, caused a loss of personalized settings and filters. If this happened to you, know that it was the result of a simple human error, and the problem has been fixed. This guide will walk you through what happened, why it happened, and the simple steps you can take to ensure your ad blocker is working correctly and your settings are safe for the future.
Table of Contents
What Exactly Happened?
On a Monday, the full version of uBlock Origin, a popular tool for blocking ads, briefly disappeared from the Microsoft Edge Add-ons store. In its place, many users found that their extension had been automatically swapped for uBlock Origin Lite. This was not a planned update or a malicious attack. It was an accident.
The lead developer and maintainer of uBlock Origin, Raymond Hill, quickly explained the situation. While working on the system he uses to publish updates, he unintentionally uploaded the “Lite” version using the official identification code of the full version. This mistake led the Edge store’s system to believe that uBlock Origin Lite was the new, correct update for everyone who had the original installed. As a result, two different listings for the “Lite” version appeared on the store, and the standard version was pushed out for many users.
The Problem with the Accidental Swap
This mix-up created more than just confusion; it caused real problems for people who rely on the extension. The Lite version, being a different program, did not carry over the settings from the full version.
Here are some of the issues users reported:
Loss of Custom Filters
Many users create their own lists of rules, known as “My filters,” to block specific elements on websites that bother them. These personalized rules were wiped out during the swap.
Reset Site-Specific Settings
uBlock Origin allows you to set different filtering modes for different websites (for example, turning it off completely for a site you want to support). These per-site choices were lost and would not save again, even after being re-entered.
General Instability
To make matters worse, the specific version of uBlock Origin Lite that was accidentally uploaded had its own bug, which added to the instability and problems users were facing.
How the Issue Was Resolved
Fixing the problem wasn’t as simple as just re-uploading the correct file. The developer ran into a roadblock with the Microsoft Edge extension dashboard. He tried to upload the older, correct version, but the system rejected it because it was based on an older technology framework known as Manifest V2 (MV2). The “Lite” version that had been accidentally uploaded was built on a newer framework, Manifest V3 (MV3), and the store’s rules prevented overwriting a newer framework version with an older one.
To stop more users from being affected, the development team took the following steps:
- They temporarily removed the extension from the store to prevent new, incorrect installations.
- They immediately contacted Microsoft’s extension support team to explain the situation and ask for help.
- With Microsoft’s assistance, they were able to publish the correct, full version of uBlock Origin again. To make sure the store would accept it as an “update,” they gave it a new version number based on the date: 2025.825.0. This new number was higher than the incorrect version, so the system accepted it as the latest release.
The developer, Raymond Hill, took full responsibility for the error and thanked the Microsoft staff for their quick help in getting things back to normal. He also stated that he would be improving his publishing process to prevent a similar mistake from happening again.
What You Should Do Now
If your uBlock Origin extension was affected by this swap, the good news is that it should now update automatically to the correct version. However, it is always a good idea to check and make sure everything is in order.
Confirm Your Extension Version
First, check which version of uBlock Origin you have. In Edge, go to your extensions list, find uBlock Origin, and look for the version number. You should see 2025.825.0 (or a later version). This version is functionally the same as the classic version 1.65.0. If you see this, your extension is correct and up-to-date.
Restore Your Lost Settings
If the update reset your settings, you will need to restore them.
- If you have a backup: Open the uBlock Origin dashboard, go to the “Settings” tab, and look for the “Restore from file…” button. Use this to import your saved settings file.
- If you do not have a backup: Unfortunately, you will need to re-create your settings manually. This means going to the “My filters” tab to add back any custom rules you had. You will also need to visit the websites where you had custom settings and set them again.
Back Up Your Settings for the Future
This incident is a perfect reminder of why backing up your settings is so important. It can save you a lot of time and frustration if something goes wrong.
Here is how to back up your uBlock Origin settings:
- Click on the uBlock Origin icon in your browser toolbar and then click the “gears” icon to open the dashboard.
- Go to the “Settings” tab.
- At the top of the page, click the “Backup to file…” button.
- Save the resulting text file to a safe place on your computer, like your documents folder or a cloud storage drive.
By taking a moment to do this, you ensure that you can restore your personalized rules and preferences in seconds if they are ever lost again.