# Wikipedia Vector Skin

> This extension restores the old Wikipedia Layout and Design by appending "?useskin=vector" to Wikipedia URLs.

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/wikipedia-vector-skin](https://chrome-stats.com/d/wikipedia-vector-skin)

## Overview

- **ID:** `wikipedia-vector-skin`
- **Platform:** Firefox
- **Type:** Firefox add-on
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** Amanano
- **Category:** other
- **Daily users:** 1,694
- **Weekly downloads:** 9
- **Rating:** 4.78 / 5 (23 ratings)
- **Version:** 1.3
- **Last updated:** 2023-01-25
- **First published:** 2023-01-19
- **Size:** 8.69 KB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-08
- **Store listing:** [Firefox Add-ons Store](https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/wikipedia-vector-skin/)

## Description

The Wikipedia Vector Skin Chrome extension restores Wikipedia's classic layout by appending "?useskin=vector" to URLs automatically. It's a lightweight and privacy-conscious tool that brings back the traditional Wikipedia appearance without requiring any user registration. It supports all Wikimedia projects, including Mediawiki.org, ensuring a consistent familiar look across various sites.

With versions 1.1 through 1.3 addressing bugs and expanding compatibility, this extension offers a seamless experience free of redirect loops or data submission concerns. Simply install and enjoy Wikipedia and related sites with the old, beloved Vector skin instantly.

## Rankings

- #2,407 — Overall
- #10 — wikipedia
- #25 — skip ads
- #68 — wiki
- #74 — register
- #87 — submit

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `storage`
- `webRequest`
- `webRequestBlocking`
- `*://*.mediawiki.org/*`
- `*://*.wikipedia.org/*`
- `*://*.wiktionary.org/*`
- `*://*.wikiquote.org/*`
- `*://*.wikiversity.org/*`
- `*://*.wikivoyage.org/*`
- `*://*.wikimedia.org/*`
- `*://*.wikidata.org/*`
- `*://*.wikinews.org/*`
- `*://*.wikisource.org/*`
- `*://*.wikibooks.org/*`

## Safety

- **Risk impact:** High risk impact
- **Risk likelihood:** Low risk likelihood

### Analysis details

- Request access to the following domains: mediawiki.org, wikipedia.org, wiktionary.org, wikiquote.org, wikiversity.org, wikivoyage.org, wikimedia.org, wikidata.org, wikinews.org, wikisource.org, wikibooks.org
- This extension has low user count. Unpopular extensions may not be stable or safe.

> Some risk analysis details are omitted from this free response. [Upgrade to view the full analysis](https://chrome-stats.com/pricing).

## Review summary

Users appreciate this Firefox add-on for restoring Wikipedia's old Vector skin, finding it lightweight, effective, and a significant improvement over the new design. Common issues include delays in applying the skin when accessing articles through searches—often requiring page refreshes—and some incompatibility with other extensions. Bugs with URL redirects and limited functionality on certain Wikipedia pages are also noted. The add-on is not available for Android. Overall, users are very grateful and consider it essential for a better Wikipedia browsing experience.

### Pros

- Effectively restores the old Wikipedia Vector skin, improving user experience over the new design.
- Lightweight and works seamlessly without noticeable impact or disruptions.
- Highly appreciated by users who dislike the new Wikipedia design; considered a 'lifesaver'.
- Quick issues fixes and responsive development noted.
- Provides a natural and unobtrusive experience for Wikipedia browsing.

### Cons

- Does not apply the old skin immediately when accessing articles via the Wikipedia search bar or certain search results; requires a page reload.
- Incompatibility or failure to work properly with some other extensions, such as 'contextual-search'.
- Issues with redirect not working correctly on certain pages or when accessing through bookmarks with keywords, necessitating reloads.
- Functions poorly or not at all on some Wikipedia pages like www.wikipedia.org.
- Not available for Android, limiting its usability on mobile devices.

## Similar extensions and apps

- [WikiVector](https://chrome-stats.com/d/wikivector) — 1 users
- [Old Wiki](https://chrome-stats.com/d/old-wiki) — 204 users, 4.75 / 5
- [Wikipedia Vector 2022 Skin](https://chrome-stats.com/d/wikipedia-vector-2022-skin) — 5 users, 3.00 / 5
- [Legacy Skin Wiki](https://chrome-stats.com/d/legacy-skin-wiki) — 3 users
- [OldWiki](https://chrome-stats.com/d/oldwiki) — 21 users, 5.00 / 5
- [Wiki 2014 Revision Redirector](https://chrome-stats.com/d/wiki-2014-revision-redirector)
- [Legacy Wikipedia](https://chrome-stats.com/d/legacy-wikipedia) — 557 users, 4.42 / 5
- [Old Wiki Redirect](https://chrome-stats.com/d/old-wiki-redirect) — 42 users, 1.00 / 5
- [Modern for Wikipedia](https://chrome-stats.com/d/modern-for-wikipedia) — 2,790 users, 4.39 / 5
- [WikiWide](https://chrome-stats.com/d/wikiwide) — 5.00 / 5
- [Full Width Wikipedia](https://chrome-stats.com/d/full-width-wikipedia) — 11 users, 1.67 / 5
- [Classic mode for Wikipedia](https://chrome-stats.com/d/classic-wikipedia) — 448 users, 5.00 / 5

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Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/wikipedia-vector-skin)