Remove elements from YouTube (thumbnails, Shorts, or comments) to make it less addictive.

Latest Version

Version
1.46
Update
June 9, 2024
Size
44.45KiB
Developer
Category
Users
1,000+
Rating
5 ★
Manifest Version
3
Web Store Status
Languages Support
English
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Permissions
Storage
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Less Addictive YouTube Extension

Remove some elements from YouTube to make it less addictive. Mix and match between the following options:
- Hide or show thumbnails and video preview
- Hide or show recommended videos sidebar
- Hide or show comments
- Hide or show Shorts

---------------
(6-8-2024) v1.46:
- New feature: Added option to show/hide videos on the subscription page.
- Extension now works for the possible future YouTube design.

(1-10-2024) v1.45:
- New feature: Added option to show/hide videos on the front page.

Changelog (12-17-2023):
- Fixed bug where extension doesn't work in new tabs.
- Changed logo.

Changelog (12-07-2023):
New Features:
- Extension now displays your changes immediately. No need to F5/Refresh to see your new settings.
- Extension now works before any of the DOM objects are rendered. No more tiny flash of hidden content being shown when you reload the page.
- Slightly cleaner options menu with labels above each category (Thumbnails, In video, Misc).
- Option: make video length visible even with no thumbnail.
- Option: show how much you've watched from the video (the red bar below the thumbnails)

Bug fixes:
- Bug fix: \"Show Explore content\" is now separate from Shorts.
- Bug fix: unchecking \"Show Explore content\" used to remove the \"Latest, Popular, Oldest\" sorting on channel pages.
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Source Manifest.json

{"update_url": "https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx", "description": "Remove elements from YouTube (thumbnails, Shorts, or comments) to make it less addictive.", "manifest_version": 3, "name": "Less Addictive YouTube", "version": "1.46", "author":"AlexisDrain", "homepage_url": "https://github.com/AlexisDrain/Less-Addictive-YouTube", "icons": { "144": "icons/favicon4_144.png" }, "content_scripts": [ { "run_at": "document_start", "matches": ["*://*.youtube.com/*"], "js": ["browser-polyfill.js","contentscript.js"] } ], "action": { "default_icon": "icons/favicon4_144.png", "default_title": "Less Addictive Youtube", "default_popup": "options/options.html" }, "permissions": [ "storage" ], "browser_specific_settings": { "gecko": { "id": {3d0875ee-0162-4af4-9613-12e89bcf9a7d} } }}
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How to download and manually install Less Addictive YouTube extension for Chrome

Looking for a way to install Less Addictive YouTube extensions for Chrome, you can search for them in the Chrome Web Store, clicking the "Add to Chrome" button, and following the straightforward process.

However, you may need to install Less Addictive YouTube extensions manually, this article outlines two simple methods to effortlessly install Less Addictive YouTube extensions, whether they come as unpacked folders in compressed formats like .zip or as .crx files.

Method 1: Download Less Addictive YouTube extension and manually install through Drag &Drop

If you ever need to manually install a Less Addictive YouTube extension for Chrome, don't worry, it's a simple process. Just follow these easy steps, and you will have your extension ready to use in no time.

Step 1: Download the Less Addictive YouTube Extension by clicking the "Download CRX" button on the website.

Look for the Less Addictive YouTube extension you wish to install. Go to the website and download the Less Addictive YouTube extension package, which is usually a .CRX file and comes in a zipped file. Here ".crx" file is the format for Less Addictive YouTube extension that contains all the data.

Step 2: Extract &Arrange Files

Once the file is downloaded, extract that file into its own folder. Similarly, give that extension files a permanent home. In other words, keep it in a folder that you don't accidentally delete it because these files will be needed to make that extension work.

Step 3: Go to the Chrome Extensions Page

Open Google Chrome and in the address bar, type chrome://extensions; it will open the Google Chrome extensions page. Make sure that "My extensions" is selected in the sidebar.

Step 4: Drag and Drop the Extension

Now, go to the folder where you extracted the Less Addictive YouTube extension and drag &drop the extension file from there anywhere onto the extension page within Google Chrome.

Step 5: Complete the Installation

Once you drag and drop the extension file, follow the steps that Google Chrome takes you through. Similarly, if the extension file is of .crx file format, you will be required to review the permissions and then add the extension.

Now, you can manage that added extension as you would like to with any other Chrome extension that you added through Chrome Webstore. Its icon will also appear in the Google Chrome Menu on the right side of the address bar once you activate it.

Method 2: Download Less Addictive YouTube extension for Chrome and install in Developer Mode

This is another method to install Less Addictive YouTube extension manually, but the twist is that here, you install by enabling the developer mode option provided in Google Chrome. This mode is commonly used for testing extensions or running unpublished tools.

Step 1: Download the Less Addictive YouTube extension file

Select and download the Less Addictive YouTube extension by clicking the 'Download CRX' button on the website.

Step 2: Extract the downloaded contents

Convert the file to a ZIP file if it is in CRX format then extract the Less Addictive YouTube extension zip file or folder that you downloaded. Make sure you extract it using the same folder name and keep it safely in another folder, so you don't delete it by mistake. The extracted folder will be needed to keep your Less Addictive YouTube extension running.

Step 3: Open Chrome Extension Setting Page

In the address bar of Google Chrome, type chrome://extensions and open the Chrome Extension Page.

Step 4: Enable Developer Mode

After opening the Chrome Extension page, look at the top right side, and you will find the toggle option of "Developer mode."Simply enable that developer mode option.

Step 5: Load the Unpacked Extension

Once you enable the developer mode option, you will see the menu of Load Unpacked, Pack Extensions and Update. From that, select the option "Load unpacked."

Step 6: Select the Extension Folder

Once the pop-up opens upon clicking Load unpacked, select the Less Addictive YouTube extension directory and click on the "Select Folder "button.

Step 7: Confirm and Install

After you select an extension folder of a Google Chrome extension you're installing manually, confirm its installation for the final time and let the installation complete.

Conclusion

Here we've made a step-by-step guide on How to manually install Less Addictive YouTube extension in 2 ways. We hope this guide proves helpful.

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User reviews

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shane kerksiek (ID: 000000592ac2ae86) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 11/04/2023 It takes away Thumbnails, Comments, and Recommended. The moment I checked back to YouTube after installing it I breathed a sigh of relief, there are now no distractions other than exactly what I'm looking for.

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Niall Mc Evoy (ID: 0000004d4437947c) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 05/28/2023 Brilliant Thank you for making this

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Александр Федоров (ID: 000000185b368558) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 09/24/2021 Thanks a lot, really helps to waste less time on YouTube.

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Leonard Melnik (ID: 000000a8bc98ef29) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 07/01/2021 Really like this, it addresses something a lot of us have an issue with. It's making me focus more on the content of the videos rather than what looks the more interesting