Install Microsoft Edge on Ubuntu? This is how to install Edge browser on your distro

Microsoft Edge is one of the most popular browsers known for its speed, security and compatibility with modern web standards. Built on the Chromium engine (the same engine that powers Google Chrome) Microsoft  Edge offers a robust browsing experience with features like enhanced privacy settings, integration with Microsoft services, and support for extensions from the Chrome Web Store. The browser is not limited to Windows PCs, Microsoft has made Edge available to mac and Linux users, including those using Ubuntu and Linux Mint. This article explores how to download and Install Microsoft Edge on Ubuntu & Linux Mint using a GUI, or through the command line (CLI).

How to Install Microsoft Edge on Ubuntu

Installing Microsoft Edge on your device allows sync your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history across all your devices. Its built-in security features like tracking prevention, SmartScreen protection, and isolated browser processes, provide a secure browsing environment.

Download the Microsoft Edge Package

Before installing Microsoft Edge on Ubuntu or Linux Mint, first, we need to download the appropriate installation package from Microsoft’s official website.

• Open any web browser installed on your system, such as Firefox or Chrome.
• Go to the Microsoft Edge download page for Linux to access the official downloads.
• Since Ubuntu and Linux Mint are based on Debian, select the Linux (.deb) option from the available formats.

Note: This package format is specifically designed for Debian-based distributions, to ensure compatibility.

• In case you are using other distros (not based on Debian), like Fedora, you should download the RPM package.

Mostly the official site automatically detects the operating system that we are using and allows the download the compatible one.

• Click on the Download button. The browser will prompt you to save the file—save it in a location where you can easily access it later, such as your Downloads folder.

• Double-click on the saved DEB installer to install the browser using the Ubuntu Software app. Just follow the on-screen prompts:

Install Microsoft Edge Using Terminal

If you prefer to install Edge through the command line (CLI) open the terminal by searching for it in the applications menu or by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T.

Next, we have to Navigate to the Downloads Directory. Here we assume the package is saved to the downloads folder. To navigate there, run the following command.

cd ~/Downloads

The above command changes the current directory to your Downloads folder.

Now to install the downloaded package, use the dpkg command followed by the package name:

sudo dpkg -i microsoft-edge-stable*.deb

• sudo: This command runs the installation with administrative privileges, which are required for installing software.
• dpkg -i: This option tells the package manager to install the specified .deb file.
• microsoft-edge-stable.deb:* The wildcard * allows the terminal to match the exact filename, which may vary slightly depending on the version.

Well while installing edge package, if you encounter dependency errors, which indicate that additional packages are required.  Run the following command to automatically download and install any missing dependencies, ensuring that Microsoft Edge is correctly installed.

sudo apt-get install -f

That’s all, Microsoft edge is installed on your device, Depending on your desktop environment (GNOME, Cinnamon, etc.), click the Applications or Start menu to open Edge browser. Also, you can Type “Microsoft Edge” in the search bar to quickly locate the application.

If you prefer, you can also launch Microsoft Edge directly from the terminal by running the command microsoft-edge.

To update the Edge browser

Keeping your browser up to date is crucial for security and performance. Microsoft regularly updates its Edge browser with the latest bug fixes, security enhancements and new features. And Microsoft Edge can be managed just like any other software package on Ubuntu and Linux Mint.

Additional notes:

If you receive errors during the dpkg installation, running sudo apt-get install -f typically resolves dependency issues.

If Microsoft Edge doesn’t launch, try reinstalling the package or checking for any missing libraries that may be required.

If you notice Edge running slowly, consider clearing your cache, disabling extensions, or checking your system for resource-heavy applications that might be affecting performance.

And finally, if you are looking to remove edge from Ubuntu or Linux mind, open the terminal and run sudo apt remove microsoft-edge-stable This will uninstall Microsoft Edge from your device.