Google Chrome has made a name for itself as a fast, lightweight browser, but has suffered through a lack of support for third-party extensions. Thankfully Google has seen the light, and support for extensions is here.
You need to be running a development version of Chrome – either version 3 or version 4 – which you can switch to by visiting the Development Channel.
As always, back up before you begin, which brings us neatly on to our first recommended extension.
1. Google Chrome Backup
Google Chrome Backup is a small tool that you install and run independently of Google Chrome. It enables you to back up and restore your Chrome user profile settings – a must before you start fiddling about with some of the extensions below.
SAFE DATA: Back up your Chrome settings for security or transferring to another computer
2. Xmarks
Chrome 4 introduces bookmark synchronisation for Chrome, but if you want to share your bookmarks and passwords across multiple browsers, you'll need Xmarks. The Chrome version is still in an early stage of Alpha development, so you'll need an Xmarks account to access it for download. It's still a little flaky, so read more at the wiki before you install it.
KEEP CURRENT: Sync your bookmarks across multiple browsers with Xmarks
3. MyWOT
The web's a dangerous place, so MyWOT is worth its weight in gold. It rates both sites and search engine ratings with a traffic-light system, throwing up a visible warning dialogue box should you try to visit sites that have a poor reputation. Essential if you venture into the darker realms of the net.
STAY SAFE: Vet web sites and search engine results before you visit
4. AdSweep
As the name suggests, AdSweep removes ads from web pages. It can be installed as an extension or – if you're running an earlier version of Chrome – read the instructions on installing the JavaScript version.
5. Chromed Bird – Twitter Extension 0.3
This clever little extension adds a button on to your toolbar giving you easy access to your Twitter account: you can tweet or read recent tweets by your friends, just by clicking the button.
TWEET: Access your Twitter account directly from the Google Chrome toolbar
6. AniWeather
Get your own customised weather forecasts, delivered straight to your status bar with AniWeather. After installing, you'll be whisked away to a web page where you configure the extension to your current location and tastes.
RAIN OR SHINE: Get weather reports and forecasts for your favourite locations
7. Session Saver
Chrome might be able to restore the tabs from your last browsing session, but Session Saver enables you to build up a collection of saved tabs and restore them to order. It can also be used to export the current set of loaded tabs to your bookmarks.
8. YouTubeDownloader
We're still waiting for a reliable all-singing, all-dancing YouTube management tool (YouasbleTubeFix wouldn't work on our test machine), but in the meantime YouTubeDownloader does exactly what it says on the tin: once installed, look for the yellow download buttons to the right of the video being played.
9. Google Chrome Dual View
The Google Chrome Dual View bookmarklet will appeal to widescreen monitor owners: now you can view two web sites side-by-side without having to switch tabs. Just drag the bookmark on to your bookmarks bar, click it and then enter the two URLs you wish to view.
DOUBLE UP: View two web sites side-by-side with this bookmarklet, which works in all versions of Chrome
10. Cleeki
Forget IE8's Web Accelerators feature, Cleeki offers all this (you can even import IE accelerators into it) and more. Just roll your mouse over a web link and click the eye icon to get a preview of the web page, or select some text or an image for options to search or share via various services. Install it from www.chromeextensions.org/social-communications/cleeki/.
DO MORE: Select your text to access the various features offered by Cleeki for searching and sharing
11. Fit to Width
Fit to Width is a clever little extension which attempts to make the horizontal scrollbar a thing of the past by fitting the current web site to your browser window when you click the Fit to Width button in the status bar.
12. Gmail Checker
Want an at-a-glance view at the unread messages in your inbox? Gmail Checker places a button in your toolbar that does just that: click the button for a preview of all unread messages. Hotmail users feeling left out should check out the Hotmail Notifier instead.
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