How to Install Microsoft Edge on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04

Microsoft Edge is a web browser developed by Microsoft and was first introduced in 2015 as the default browser for Windows 10. Since then, it has become popular among users due to its advanced features and clean interface.

Compared to other popular web browsers like Google Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Vivaldi, and Pale Moon, Microsoft Edge offers unique features like integration with Microsoft services such as Bing and OneDrive. It also supports extensions from the Microsoft Store and has a built-in reading mode allowing users to read articles without distractions. Additionally, users can annotate web pages and save them to OneNote for later reference.

While there is much more to list on Microsoft Edge, a list of some more of the unique features is as follows:

• Collections: A feature that allows users to save web pages, images, and text for later reference and organization.
• Immersive Reader: A reading mode that removes distractions from web pages and makes reading easier.
• Web Capture: A tool that lets users capture and mark up web pages, which can then be saved to OneNote or shared with others.
• Vertical Tabs: A feature that allows users to view and manage their open tabs in a vertical sidebar, making it easier to navigate through multiple tabs.
• InPrivate browsing: A mode that allows users to browse the web without saving their browsing history, cookies, or other data.
• Password Monitor: A tool that checks if any user’s saved passwords have been compromised in a data breach and alerts them to take action.
• Microsoft Rewards: A program that rewards users for using Microsoft Edge and other Microsoft products with points that can be redeemed for gift cards, sweepstakes entries, and more.
• Tracking prevention: A feature that blocks trackers and other online tracking tools to protect the user’s privacy while browsing the web.

If you’re an Ubuntu 22.04 Jammy Jellyfish or Ubuntu 20.04 Focal user and want to install Microsoft Edge on your system, this guide will show you how to do so using Microsoft’s official Edge APT repository. Following the steps outlined in this guide, you can enjoy all the features that Microsoft Edge offers on your Ubuntu system.

Step 1: Update Ubuntu

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

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:

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

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

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:

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

This command will download the GPG key and store it in the /usr/share/keyrings/ directory with the name microsoft-edge.gpg.

Next, you need to add the Microsoft Edge repository to your system. To do this, run 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

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

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

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:

1. Click on the Applications menu on your desktop.
2. Search for “Microsoft Edge” in the search bar.
3. 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.

Example of Microsoft Edge browser versions application icons on Ubuntu:

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.

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 Tips

How to Update Microsoft Edge

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:

sudo apt upgrade microsoft-edge-beta
sudo apt upgrade microsoft-edge-dev

How to Remove Microsoft Edge

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 completely remove Microsoft Edge from your Ubuntu system.

Troubleshooting Multiple Sources.list

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:

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

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 that is now available on Ubuntu. With its advanced features and seamless integration with the Windows ecosystem, it is a great 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!

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