How to Install Google Chrome Themes in Microsoft Edge Chromium Stable build (Workaround)

Microsoft Edge Chromium can install Google Chrome themes. In this blog post, learn how to do it.

Microsoft has finally released the first stable build of its Chromium-based Edge browser. Since it based on Chromium, it is obvious users will be able to enjoy most of the features available on the Chrome browser. Like, you can install Chrome extensions, themes, and other things possible only in Chrome.

In our previous blog post, we have already covered how you can install Chrome Extensions in Chromium Edge. In case, you’re a fan of Chrome themes and would like to apply your favorite one in the new Edge, then, fortunately, it is possible.

In case, you have downloaded and installed the latest version of Microsoft Edge and want to try the feature, then here’s how you can do it.

Install Chrome Themes in Edge Chromium

Update 5/3/2020 – Starting with Microsoft Edge Chromium in Canary Channel build 82.0.444.0 or higher the company adds support for Themes in Chrome Web Store. It means users can install and uninstall Chrome Themes in Edge more easily.

The information was shared by the Techdows and if you want to the feature before it makes it to the stable version of Microsoft Edge, then here’s what you need to do:

First of all, you have to enable the functionality. For that, launch Microsoft Edge Chromium in Canary channel and visit following flag address:

edge://flags/#edge-allow-store-extension-themes

Next using the drop-down next to “Allow installation of external store themes” change the setting from Default to Enabled.

Last, Click on the Restart button to apply the changes.

Install Custom Theme on Edge

To install Chrome themes in the Edge browser. You need to visit the Chrome Web Store Theme Page.

Make sure to click on the “Allow extensions from other stores” button and then Allow button.

You can also manage same setting by going to Settings > Extensions. On the left bottom corner turn on “Allow extensions from other stores “

Next on the page, choose the theme of your choice and then click on the “Add to Chrome” button to install the theme on the Edge browser.

Uninstall Custom Theme from Edge

You can uninstall the theme from the Settings. Here’s what you need to do:

Go to ‘Settings and more‘ icon and select Settings. Switch to the Appearance tab on the left side. You can also visit this address to directly reach the setting: edge://settings/appearance

On the right side, head over to Custom theme section. Here, locate the theme and click on the Remove button.

After that, you can again head over to the Chrome web store and install another theme of your choice.

In case, you want to wait for the feature to reach a stable version of Microsoft Edge Chromium, till then you can try the following workaround to install a theme from Chrome store to Edge.

Step One – Get Theme .CRX file

Grab .crx file of the Chrome theme which you want to install. For that:

Download and install the Get CRX extension on the Chrome browser. Once the installation process completes, the icon for an extension will appear on the upper right corner.

Next, head over to the Chrome theme page (which you want to set in Chromium Edge) on Chrome web store. For example, we would like to apply oceanic theme.

Once you’re on the theme page, click on the Get CRX icon and from the menu select “Get CRX of this extension.” This will instantly open the browse window.

You can save the .crx file of the location where ever you want on your computer.

Step Two – Install Chrome Extension (Load Unpacked)

Launch the Microsoft Edge browser on your computer.

Next, click on the “Settings and more” icon (…) available on the upper-right corner, select Extensions from the menu.

Here on this page, you need to turn on Developer mode. The option is available on the bottom left side.

Now you’re ready to install Chrome extension on Chromium Edge. All you need to do is to drag-drop the .crx file of the theme on this page.

A quick dialog box will open up asking you “Add oceanic to Microsoft Edge” or whatever theme you’re installing accompanied by warning like shown in the following screenshot:

Note – It is highly recommended to install theme from verified developers.

If you made up to this line, it means you want to install the theme. For that, click on the Continue button in the download bar

A quick dialog box will appear on the top, click on the Add Theme button.

The theme will be applied to the Edge browser instantly. This is how the Oceanic theme looks like on Edge Chromium.

Following the same steps, you can install as many Chrome themes on the Microsoft Edge Chromium browser.

Note: The Chrome theme which you have installed on Chromium Edge will not appear under Extension page.

Uninstall Themes in Chromium Edge

The first stable build of the new Edge browser lacks theme support and due to this reason, there’s no direct option available to uninstall the theme. But using a quick workaround, you can do that:

1. On your Windows 10 computer, launch File Explorer and Copy-Paste following address and hit enter.

C:\Users\viney\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge SxS\User Data\Default

In the above path, you need to replace ‘viney‘ with your ‘yourusername‘

2. Here, look for the file with a name Preference. Right-click on it and open with Notepad.

Using the search feature (CTRL+F) find Theme ID. We’re using Oceanic Theme and its ID is “gbbacdmgjdfajabgglpjifcedoajdimg.”

You can quickly find theme id by visiting the web page of the theme on Chrome Store. Check the following screenshot:

3. Once you find theme id of your theme, search it in the Preference file. The theme id will be next to theme”:{“id”: and followed by Pack. It should look like this:

theme":{"id": " 
gbbacdmgjdfajabgglpjifcedoajdimg","pack"

In the above code, remove the theme id and before saving the file make sure it should look like:

theme":{"id": "","pack"  

To save a file, click on the File and select Save.

Alternatively, you can head over to following location:C:\Users\viney\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\Default\Extensions

Don’t forget to replace ‘viney’ with ‘yourusername’. In the extensions folder, delete the theme folder with the same theme id.

To apply the changes close the Edge browser and relaunch it. This time browser will launch with the default theme. If possible, you can also reboot your computer.

In case, due to any reason above discussed method fails to remove the theme, then you can reset Microsoft Edge.

Since Edge browser support extensions from Chrome store, it is expected it will support themes too. We will update the article once it happens.