How to Install Microsoft Edge on Pop!_OS

Microsoft Edge is a dynamic, innovative, and efficient web browser that is continually evolving. Initially released for Windows, Edge is now available on a wide range of platforms, including Linux. The arrival of Edge on Linux brings a high level of performance, greater browsing efficiency, and Microsoft’s distinct flair for user interface design to the world of Linux users.

Key Features and Differences

Microsoft Edge for Linux sets itself apart with a collection of unique features and key differences that make it an appealing choice for Linux users:

• Compliance with Web Standards: Edge, powered by the open-source Chromium engine, adheres to contemporary web standards, enabling seamless interaction with virtually all websites.
• Immersive Reader: This feature helps in simplifying the webpage by removing unwanted distractions, allowing users to concentrate on the content.
• Vertical Tabs: Rather than having a horizontal list of open tabs, Edge offers a sidebar for easier management of multiple tabs.
• Privacy Controls: Edge provides robust privacy features, including tracking prevention and InPrivate browsing, allowing users to have a secure browsing experience.
• Microsoft Sync: Users can sync their favorites, passwords, and other browsing data across devices – handy for those already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem.
• Native Microsoft Features: With integrated Microsoft features such as Office 365, Outlook, and Bing, Edge on Linux offers a unified Microsoft experience.

Regardless of your Linux distro, Microsoft has made it incredibly straightforward to get Edge up and running on your system. In the case of the Pop!_OS, the process involves utilizing CLI commands with the official Microsoft APT repository to install the latest available version of Edge. Whether you’re looking for a stable, beta, or developer browser version, Microsoft offers flexibility and choice to cater to your individual requirements.

Section 1: Installation of Microsoft Edge

This section will guide you through the process of installing Microsoft Edge on your Pop!_OS system. Following these steps will ensure a smooth and successful installation.

Step 1: Update Your Pop!_OS System

Before we embark on the journey of installing Microsoft Edge, it’s crucial to have your Pop!_OS system up-to-date. By executing an update, we’re making sure that all existing packages on your system have the latest security patches and dependencies necessary for a flawless installation. Execute the command below to update your system:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Step 2: Installation of Necessary Packages

In this step, we’ll ensure that all the required packages for successfully installing Microsoft Edge are on your system. While these packages might already be installed on your system, the following command verifies their presence and updates them if necessary. Execute the command below to install or update the necessary packages:

sudo apt install software-properties-common apt-transport-https ca-certificates curl -y

Step 3: Import the Microsoft Repository

With the required packages in place, it’s time to import the GPG key for the Microsoft Edge package. This key is crucial as it verifies the authenticity of the Microsoft Edge package, ensuring that the package you’re downloading is genuine and safe to install. First, execute the command below to download and import the GPG key:

curl -fSsL https://packages.microsoft.com/keys/microsoft.asc | gpg --dearmor | sudo tee /usr/share/keyrings/microsoft-edge.gpg > /dev/null

Next, add the Microsoft Edge repository to your system’s list of sources. This action makes your system aware of the location from which to fetch the Microsoft Edge package. Run the command below to add the repository:

echo 'deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/microsoft-edge.gpg] https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/edge stable main' | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/microsoft-edge.list

Step 4: Refreshing the Package List

Having added the Microsoft Edge repository, it’s important to refresh your system’s package list. This action will enable your system to recognize the newly added repository. Execute the following command to update your system’s package list:

sudo apt update

Step 5: Install Microsoft Edge Browser

Finally, we’re at the point where we can proceed to install the Microsoft Edge browser. You can choose from three branches: stable (recommended), beta, and dev (nightly). Execute the following command to install the stable version of Microsoft Edge:

sudo apt install microsoft-edge-stable

Optional: Install Microsoft Edge Browser Beta or Dev Version

For those who prefer living on the bleeding edge or wish to explore upcoming features, Microsoft Edge also offers beta or dev (nightly) builds. However, it’s important to note that these versions are not recommended for regular use, particularly on a primary desktop or production server. They’re ideal for those who are excited to test upcoming features.

These versions don’t replace the stable version and are installed separately. Nevertheless, it’s advisable to install only one version at a time.

To install the beta version of Microsoft Edge, run the following command:

sudo apt install microsoft-edge-beta

For the installation of the dev (nightly) version of Microsoft Edge, use the following command:

sudo apt install microsoft-edge-dev

Section 2: Initiating Microsoft Edge Browser

Post the successful installation of Microsoft Edge; you’re ready to fire up the browser and start navigating the web. Depending on your preference and the specific version of Microsoft Edge that you’ve installed, you can open the browser in several ways. This section will guide you through different methods of launching Microsoft Edge on your Pop!_OS system.

Step 1: Launching Microsoft Edge using Terminal Commands

Launching Microsoft Edge directly from the command line can be swift and convenient if you enjoy using the terminal or if you’re already in it. Depending on the specific version of Microsoft Edge you’ve installed, you’ll need to use the appropriate command. Let’s look at how to initiate different versions:

Stable Version

To launch the stable version of Microsoft Edge from the terminal, execute the following command:

microsoft-edge

Beta Version

If you’ve installed the beta version and wish to launch it from the terminal, use this command:

microsoft-edge-beta

Dev (Nightly) Version

To start the dev (nightly) version of Microsoft Edge from the terminal, use this command:

microsoft-edge-dev

Option 2: Initiating Microsoft Edge from the Desktop Environment

For those who prefer a visual approach or want to launch Microsoft Edge in a more traditional way, the browser can be opened directly from your desktop environment. Here’s how:

1. Start by finding and clicking on Activities. This is usually situated on your dash screen and acts as the gateway to all your installed applications.
2. Now, sift through your applications and find the Microsoft Edge icon. This is easily identifiable as it depicts the logo of the Microsoft Edge browser.
3. Finally, click on the Microsoft Edge icon. This action launches the browser, enabling you to explore your web journey.

Example of Microsoft Edge application icons on Pop!_OS:

Section 3: Tips for Getting Started with Microsoft Edge on Pop!_OS

Having installed and launched Microsoft Edge on your Pop!_OS Linux desktop, it’s now time to dive deeper and enhance your browsing experience. This section presents a variety of tips to help you get started and customize Microsoft Edge to your liking, maximizing your productivity and ensuring seamless web navigation.

Tip 1: Customize Your Start Page

Microsoft Edge allows you to personalize your start page. You can choose your layout, and background image, and decide what content should appear every time you open a new tab.

• To customize your start page, click on the Settings and more icon at the browser’s top-right corner (three horizontal dots).
• Then, select Settings, and navigate to On startup section.
• From here, you can choose to Open a new tab, Continue where you left off, or Open a specific page or pages.

Tip 2: Set Your Default Search Engine

While Microsoft Edge uses Bing as its default search engine, you can easily change this to Google, DuckDuckGo, or any other search engine of your choice.

• Head to Settings and more > Settings > Privacy, search, and services.
• Scroll down to Services and click on Address bar and search.
• From the Search engine used in the address bar dropdown, select your preferred search engine.

Tip 3: Use Edge’s Reading View for a Distraction-Free Reading Experience

Microsoft Edge offers a unique feature known as the Reading View. This feature transforms cluttered web pages into a clean, easy-to-read layout.

• To use this feature, click the Reading View icon (looks like an open book) in the address bar when it appears.

Tip 4: Utilize the Collection Feature

One of the standout features of Microsoft Edge is the Collections feature, which allows you to gather, view, and organize web content more effectively.

• Click on the Collections icon (looks like two stacked squares) on the right-hand side of the toolbar to start using this feature.

Tip 5: Take Advantage of Microsoft Edge’s Built-In Privacy Features

Microsoft Edge offers a variety of privacy features to protect your online activities.

• To access these settings, navigate to Settings and more > Settings > Privacy, search, and services.
• From here, you can customize your tracking prevention settings and manage your privacy options.

With these tips, you should be well-equipped to optimize your Microsoft Edge experience on your Pop!_OS system.

Section 4: Managing Microsoft Edge on Pop!_OS

Keeping your browser updated and knowing how to manage its installation is key to a smooth and secure web browsing experience. In this section, we’ll guide you through the process of updating and removing Microsoft Edge from your Pop!_OS system, so you can ensure your browser is always up-to-date or remove it when necessary.

Updating Microsoft Edge

Regular updates are crucial for the security and functionality of your browser. With each update, you receive the latest features, improvements, and security patches for Microsoft Edge. Let’s walk through the steps of updating your browser.

Refreshing the Package List

The first step to updating your Microsoft Edge browser is refreshing your system’s package list. This allows your system to check for any available updates. You can do this by executing the following command in your terminal:

sudo apt update

Upgrading Microsoft Edge

If an update for Microsoft Edge is available, you can apply the update by running the following command in your terminal:

sudo apt upgrade

This command will upgrade all your system’s packages, including Microsoft Edge, ensuring your browser is up-to-date with the latest improvements and security patches.

Removing Microsoft Edge

If, for some reason, you wish to uninstall Microsoft Edge from your system, the following steps will guide you through the removal process.

Uninstalling Microsoft Edge

To remove Microsoft Edge from your Pop!_OS system, you’ll need to execute a specific command depending on the version of Microsoft Edge you’ve installed. For the stable, beta, and dev versions, use the following commands respectively:

Stable version:

sudo apt remove microsoft-edge-stable

Beta version:

sudo apt remove microsoft-edge-beta

Dev (nightly) version:

sudo apt remove microsoft-edge-dev

Note that these commands will also remove any unused dependencies associated with Microsoft Edge, ensuring your system stays clean and optimized.

Removing the Microsoft Edge Repository

After uninstalling Microsoft Edge, removing the Microsoft Edge repository from your system’s list of sources is recommended. This can be done by running the following command:

sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/microsoft-edge.list

Deleting the Microsoft GPG Key

Finally, to completely remove any traces of Microsoft Edge, you should delete the GPG key you imported during installation. You can do this with the following command:

sudo rm /usr/share/keyrings/microsoft-edge.gpg

Following these steps will help you keep your Microsoft Edge browser updated or help you remove it entirely if necessary, allowing you to manage your Pop!_OS system effectively.

Section 5: Resolving Issues with Multiple Sources.list Files for Microsoft Edge

Navigating the complexities of software installation can sometimes present challenges, even for experienced users. One such issue you may encounter when using Microsoft Edge on Pop!_OS is related to managing multiple sources.list files. When installing multiple versions of Microsoft Edge (stable, beta, and dev), each one creates a new sources.list file, leading to potential conflicts during updates. In this section, we’ll guide you through the process of resolving this issue to ensure seamless updates.

Understanding the Issue

Microsoft Edge allows the simultaneous installation of all three of its versions – stable, beta, and dev. However, each installation individually creates a sources.list file, placed in your /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ directory. This means, when you run the apt update command, these multiple sources.list files may cause conflicts, resulting in some updates being ignored.

Resolving the Issue

To eliminate this problem, we suggest retaining only one sources.list file and removing the extras. If you mistakenly delete all files, you can revisit the steps mentioned in the prior sections of this guide to re-import the necessary details.

Removing Extra Sources.list Files

You can remove the extra sources.list files by executing the following commands in your terminal:

sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/microsoft-edge.list
sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/microsoft-edge-beta.list
sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/microsoft-edge-dev.list

Alternatively, if you want to remove all sources.list files related to Microsoft Edge, you can use this single command:

sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/microsoft*

Re-adding a Single Repository

Once the extra files are removed, it’s time to re-add a single repository that can handle updates for all three versions of Microsoft Edge. Execute the following command in your terminal:

echo 'deb [arch=amd64 signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/microsoft-edge.gpg] https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/edge stable main' | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/microsoft-edge.list

Refreshing the Package List

Finally, to ensure the changes take effect and your system is aware of the new configuration, run an apt update to refresh your package list:

sudo apt update

By following these steps, you should have successfully resolved any issues related to multiple sources.list files for Microsoft Edge. Consequently, your system will be set up to receive updates for all three versions of Microsoft Edge using a single sources.list file. This process results in a more streamlined, conflict-free update experience.

Closing Thoughts on Installing Microsoft Edge on Pop!_OS

In this comprehensive guide, we’ve embarked on the journey of installing and managing different versions of Microsoft Edge, including the stable, beta, and dev versions, on the Pop!_OS Linux distribution. We’ve delved into the nuances of installation, updating, managing, and even troubleshooting common issues related to Microsoft Edge.

Additional Resources and Links

In your quest for more information and deeper understanding, consider visiting these official resources:

• Microsoft Edge Insider Channels: This official site provides access to the latest Insider builds of Microsoft Edge. This is the place to go if you’re interested in exploring cutting-edge features and improvements.
• Microsoft Edge Documentation: This comprehensive documentation covers everything you need to know about Microsoft Edge, from deployment to privacy settings.