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How to Install Microsoft Edge on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04
Last Updated on by Joshua James
Initially developed for Windows, Microsoft Edge has expanded its reach to include Linux platforms like Ubuntu. If you’re interested in learning how to install Microsoft Edge on Ubuntu 22.04 Jammy Jellyfish or Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa, this guide is for you.
Why Choose Microsoft Edge for Ubuntu?
Integration with Microsoft Services: Edge offers seamless compatibility with Microsoft’s ecosystem, including Bing and OneDrive.
Extension Support: Users can enhance browser functionality with extensions available from the Microsoft Store.
Reading Mode: The built-in reading mode offers a distraction-free environment for consuming online articles.
Collections: This feature enables users to save and organize web pages, images, and text for future reference.
InPrivate Browsing: Browse without saving history, cookies, or other data to maintain privacy.
This guide will provide step-by-step instructions for installing Microsoft Edge on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04. We’ll use Microsoft’s official Edge APT repository to ensure a smooth installation process. Stay tuned for the detailed steps to enjoy the unique features of Microsoft Edge on your Ubuntu system.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Update Ubuntu Before Microsoft Edge Installation
To begin the installation of Microsoft Edge on Ubuntu 22.04 Jammy Jellyfish or Ubuntu 20.04 Focal, it is important to update your system to ensure that all existing packages are up to date. This will help avoid any conflicts during the installation process. To update your system, run the following command in your terminal:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
This will update your system’s installed packages to the latest available versions.
Step 2: Install the Required Packages for Edge on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04
Once your system is updated, you need to install some required software packages to complete the installation of Microsoft Edge. These packages are essential for the installation process and can be installed using the following command in your terminal:
The above command will install the following packages:
software-properties-common: A package that provides an interface for managing software sources in Ubuntu.
apt-transport-https: A package that allows the use of HTTPS transport for APT.
curl: A command-line tool for transferring data from or to a server.
ca-certificates: A package containing the public key certificates for verifying SSL/TLS connections.
These packages are commonly found on nearly all Linux distributions and are also required for many other installations. Running the above command should install them without any issues.
Step 3: Import Microsoft Edge APT Repository on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04
To install Microsoft Edge on Ubuntu, you need to import the Microsoft Edge repository. This will allow you to download and install Microsoft Edge using the Ubuntu package manager.
To start, you need to download the GPG key to verify the authenticity of the package by running the following command in your terminal:
This command will add the Microsoft Edge repository to the /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ directory as a file named microsoft-edge.list.
Once you’ve added the repository, run the following command to update your system’s repository list and reflect the new Microsoft Edge repository:
sudo apt update
This command will update your repository list, and you can install Microsoft Edge using the Ubuntu package manager.
Step 4: Install Microsoft Edge Browser via APT on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04
Once you have added the Microsoft Edge repository, you can install the browser. Microsoft Edge can be installed using stable (recommended) or beta nightly.
To install the stable version of Microsoft Edge, run the following command in your terminal:
sudo apt install microsoft-edge-stable
This command will install the stable version of Microsoft Edge on your Ubuntu system. You can confirm the version and build of the Microsoft Edge installed on your operating system by running the following command:
microsoft-edge -version
Alternatively, you can install the Microsoft Edge Beta, or Dev (nightly) build if you have downloaded the repositories. These two versions are not recommended for daily use, especially not on a main desktop or production server.
To install the Microsoft Edge Beta version, run the following command in your terminal:
sudo apt install microsoft-edge-beta
To verify the Microsoft Edge Beta version, run the following command:
microsoft-edge-beta --version
Similarly, to install the Microsoft Edge Dev (Nightly) version, run the following command:
sudo apt install microsoft-edge-dev
To verify the Microsoft Edge Dev (Nightly) version, run the following command:
microsoft-edge-dev --version
Step 5: Launch Microsoft Edge Browser on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04
Once you have installed Microsoft Edge on your Ubuntu system, you can launch it using the terminal or the Applications menu.
To launch the stable version of Microsoft Edge using the terminal, enter the following command in your console:
microsoft-edge
To launch the Beta version of Microsoft Edge, use the following command:
microsoft-edge-beta
Similarly, to launch the Dev (Nightly) version of Microsoft Edge, use the following command:
microsoft-edge-dev
Launching Microsoft Edge through the terminal is not always practical for novice users. To launch the browser using the graphical interface, follow these steps:
Click on the Applications menu on your desktop.
Search for “Microsoft Edge” in the search bar.
Once you find Microsoft Edge, click on it to launch the browser.
Alternatively, you can create a shortcut for Microsoft Edge on your desktop or taskbar for quick access to the browser.
PinScreenshot demonstrating how to launch Microsoft Edge from the Show Applications menu on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04 LTS.
After launching Microsoft Edge for the first time, you will be greeted by a “Welcome to Microsoft Edge” window. This window will guide you through a few steps to configure Microsoft Edge according to your preferences.
The steps may include setting up your default search engine, importing bookmarks and other data from other browsers, and setting up your preferred theme. The exact steps may vary depending on your system and version of Microsoft Edge.
PinScreenshot showing the configuration settings for Microsoft Edge on its first-time launch on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04 LTS.
Once you have opened and configured Microsoft Edge on your Ubuntu system, here are some tips to help you get the most out of the browser:
Customize your homepage: Microsoft Edge allows you to set your preferred homepage. You can choose a specific webpage or a blank page as your homepage.
Use the Collections feature: Collections is a handy feature that allows you to save and organize your favorite web pages, images, and notes in one place. You can use Collections to save recipes, shopping lists, or research for a project.
Install extensions: Microsoft Edge supports a variety of extensions that can enhance your browsing experience. You can install extensions from the Microsoft Store or third-party sources.
Use keyboard shortcuts: Microsoft Edge has several keyboard shortcuts that can make browsing more efficient. For example, pressing Ctrl+T opens a new tab, and Ctrl+Shift+T reopens the last closed tab.
Clear your browsing data: Microsoft Edge allows you to clear your browsing data, including browsing history, cookies, and cache. This can help protect your privacy and free up space on your system.
Customize your privacy settings: Microsoft Edge offers several privacy settings that allow you to control what information is shared with websites. You can adjust these settings to suit your preferences.
Sync your data across devices: Microsoft Edge allows you to sync your browsing data across devices, including bookmarks, history, and passwords. This can be useful if you use multiple devices.
By following these tips, you can get the most out of Microsoft Edge and enjoy a fast and secure browsing experience on your Ubuntu system.
Additional Commands for Microsoft Edge with Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04
How to Update Microsoft Edge on Ubuntu
It is important to keep your Microsoft Edge browser up to date to ensure that you have access to the latest features and security updates. You can update Microsoft Edge on your Ubuntu system using the following steps.
Open your terminal and run the APT update command to check for any available updates:
sudo apt update
If any updates are available, use the upgrade option to update your system:
sudo apt upgrade
Alternatively, you can update just the Microsoft Edge package itself. For example, to update the stable version of Microsoft Edge, run the following command:
sudo apt upgrade microsoft-edge-stable
If you are using the beta or dev (nightly) version of Microsoft Edge, use the following commands to update them:
If you no longer need Microsoft Edge on your Ubuntu system, remove it using the following steps.
Open your terminal and use one of the following commands to remove the version of Microsoft Edge that you have installed:
sudo apt remove microsoft-edge-stable
To remove Microsoft Edge Beta:
sudo apt remove microsoft-edge-beta
To remove Microsoft Edge Dev:
sudo apt remove microsoft-edge-stable-dev
Once you have removed the Microsoft Edge package, you should also remove the repository that was imported during the installation process using the following command:
sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/microsoft.*
Finally, remove the GPG key that you imported earlier using the following command:
sudo rm /usr/share/keyrings/microsoft*
Following these steps, you can remove Microsoft Edge from your Ubuntu system altogether.
Troubleshooting Multiple Sources.list with Microsoft Edge on Ubuntu
If you have installed multiple versions of Microsoft Edge, you may end up with multiple sources.list files in your /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ directory. When you run the apt update command, you may get errors, or some sources may be ignored.
To fix this issue, remove the extra sources.list files and keep the original. If you accidentally delete them, you can use the import directory code in this tutorial to re-add the repository.
Here is an example of how to remove the extra sources.list files, and re-add the Microsoft Edge repository:
Open your terminal and use the following command to remove any extra sources.list files for Microsoft Edge:
sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/microsoft*
Next, re-add the Microsoft Edge repository using the following command:
Finally, run the APT update command to update your repository list:
sudo apt update
By following these steps, you can ensure you have only one source.list file for Microsoft Edge and that you receive updates for all versions of the browser from one source.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Microsoft Edge is a powerful and versatile browser now available on Ubuntu. Its advanced features and seamless integration with the Windows ecosystem make it an excellent choice for users who want a fast and reliable browsing experience. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can easily install, update, and remove Microsoft Edge from your Ubuntu system. Enjoy browsing with Microsoft Edge on your Ubuntu system!
