Edge Extension Reviews Are Getting Faster, but Microsoft Says Security Won’t Suffer

Microsoft Edge extension reviews are getting faster as Microsoft adds more automation to its Edge Add-ons review pipeline without lowering its existing security and quality requirements.

The company says extension submissions continue to increase as AI-assisted coding makes it easier for developers to build, update, and submit browser extensions. That growth has placed more pressure on the existing review process and increased turnaround times.

Microsoft automates more Edge extension reviews

Microsoft is improving the Edge Add-ons review process by automating many of the repeatable validation checks involved in reviewing extensions.

The company has also streamlined how submissions move through its review pipeline. Microsoft says the changes don’t reduce the checks developers must pass or lower its existing quality and security standards.

Automated systems can identify known policy violations and security problems more consistently. Human reviewers can then focus on more complicated submissions that require judgment.

Microsoft expects the changes to shorten review times, meaning developers should be able to deliver bug fixes, improvements, and new extension features to Edge users sooner.

Microsoft wants to reduce friction for extension developers

Microsoft says its broader goal is to make Edge easier for developers to build, publish, and grow browser extensions.

Faster reviews form part of that effort, but Microsoft also wants to preserve the security and reliability of the Edge Add-ons marketplace as the number of available extensions grows.

That balance has become increasingly important as Microsoft’s extension ecosystem changes. The company is also dropping Edge Manifest V2 support for enterprises in 2027, which will push more developers toward newer extension requirements.

Security also remains a concern. Chrome and Edge users were recently targeted by malicious extensions designed to steal cryptocurrency.

Featured Edge extensions are evaluated using more than 60 signals

Microsoft is also improving how it awards Featured badges on the Edge Add-ons site.

The Featured badge highlights extensions that meet Microsoft’s higher standards for quality, reliability, security, and user experience.

Microsoft says its evaluation considers more than 60 quality signals across several areas. Much of that process now runs automatically, which the company says makes evaluations more consistent, objective, and scalable.

The badge isn’t permanent. Microsoft can update an extension’s status as developers fix issues, improve the user experience, or respond to feedback.

Featured badges will refresh every 15 days

Microsoft will now refresh Featured badges every 15 days.

The shorter cycle means developers who improve their extensions can earn Featured recognition sooner instead of waiting longer for Microsoft to reassess them.

Users should also get a more current picture of which Edge extensions meet Microsoft’s quality standards at any given time.

Microsoft continues to make other changes to the browser alongside its extension work. Edge is currently testing improvements to vertical tabs and tab groups as the company refines how users organize tabs and navigate the browser.