How to Install Pale Moon on Linux Mint 21 or 20

If you’re looking to install Pale Moon on Linux Mint 21 or Linux Mint 20, you’re choosing a browser designed with a focus on privacy and the ability to customize. Pale Moon presents a compelling alternative for those prioritizing these aspects in their web browsing experience.

Here’s a quick rundown of what makes Pale Moon a compelling choice:

  • Privacy-Centric: Pale Moon takes your privacy seriously, avoiding the data collection practices common in some other browsers.
  • Highly Customizable: Tailor your browser with various extensions and themes to fit your personal style and workflow.
  • Resource-Efficient: It runs smoothly on various hardware specifications, particularly on older machines, due to its lean approach to resource usage.
  • Open-Source Software: The open-source nature of Pale Moon promotes transparency and allows for community contributions.
  • Web Compatibility: Despite its unique rendering engine, Pale Moon strives to maintain compatibility with various web standards.
  • Actively Maintained: Regular updates from the development team keep Pale Moon secure and up-to-date.

With these features in mind, Pale Moon stands out as a browser that aligns well with the values and needs of the Linux Mint community. The upcoming guide will provide step-by-step instructions on how to install Pale Moon on Linux Mint using a trusted third-party apt repository, ensuring you have access to the latest and most secure version of the browser.

Import Pale Moon APT Repository on Linux Mint 21 or 20

This section will guide you through importing the Pale Moon repository for Linux Mint 21 and Linux Mint 20 distributions.

Step 1: Update Linux Mint Packages Before Pale Moon Installation

Before you begin, you must update your system to ensure all existing packages are up-to-date. This helps prevent potential conflict issues during the installation. To do this, run the following command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Step 2: Install Initial Packages For Pale Moon Installation

Now, you must install the packages required for a successful Pale Moon installation. Most of these packages are likely already on your system, but running the following command ensures they are installed:

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

Return to this step and rerun the command if you encounter any issues.

Step 3: Import Pale Moon GPG Key and APT Repository

This guide covers both Linux Mint 21 and Linux Mint 20 release series. You will need to import the GPG key to verify the authenticity of the packages from the third-party repository and then import the repository itself.

Use the commands below that correspond to your distribution version:

Import GPG key and repository for Pale Moon on Linux Mint 21:

GPG Key:

curl -fsSL https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:stevenpusser/xUbuntu_22.04/Release.key | gpg --dearmor | sudo tee /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/home_stevenpusser.gpg > /dev/null

Repository:

echo 'deb http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/stevenpusser/xUbuntu_22.04/ /' | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/home:stevenpusser.list

Import GPG key and repository for Pale Moon on Linux Mint 20:

GPG Key:

curl -fsSL https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:stevenpusser/xUbuntu_20.04/Release.key | gpg --dearmor | sudo tee /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/home_stevenpusser.gpg > /dev/null

Repository:

echo 'deb http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/stevenpusser/xUbuntu_20.04/ /' | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/home:stevenpusser.list

Install Pale Moon on Linux Mint 21 or 20

In this section, we will guide you through installing the Pale Moon browser on your Linux Mint system now that you have successfully imported the GPG Key and APT repository for Pale Moon.

Step 1: Refresh APT Package Index

First, run an APT update to reflect the newly imported repository. This step is crucial to ensure your system recognizes the repository you added earlier. To perform the update, execute the following command:

sudo apt update

Step 2: Install Pale Moon Browser via APT Command

With the repository now available, you can install the Pale Moon browser. Run the following command to begin the installation:

sudo apt install palemoon

Step 3: Confirm Pale Moon’s Successful Installation

After the installation, you should verify that Pale Moon has been installed correctly. To confirm the version of your newly installed browser, execute the following command:

palemoon -v

Upon completing these steps, you will have installed the Pale Moon browser on your Linux Mint system.

Launch Pale Moon Browser on Linux Mint 21 or 20

Now that you have successfully installed the Pale Moon browser let’s learn how to launch it so you can start enjoying its features. There are two simple methods to open the browser, which we will cover in this section.

CLI Command to Launch Pale Moon

You can launch Pale Moon directly from the terminal by running the following command:

palemoon

This command will open the browser, and you can start browsing immediately.

GUI Method to Launch Pale Moon

Alternatively, you can launch Pale Moon through your system’s application menu. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Navigate to the taskbar on your Linux Mint desktop.
  2. Click on the Internet category.
  3. Locate and click on the Pale Moon icon to launch the browser.
Pale Moon Browser icon located on the Linux Mint taskbar, ready for launch.
Screenshot showing the Pale Moon Browser application icon conveniently placed in the Linux Mint taskbar.

First-Time Tips with Pale Moon Browser on Linux Mint 21 or 20

In this section, we will guide you through valuable tips and tricks to help you maximize your Pale Moon experience on Linux Mint. With these suggestions, you can customize your browser, optimize its performance, and enhance your browsing experience.

Customize Your Pale Moon Interface with Linux Mint

Pale Moon offers a highly customizable interface, allowing you to personalize the browser to fit your preferences. Some customization options include:

  • Rearrange Toolbars: Right-click on any toolbar, then select “Customize” to add, remove, or rearrange toolbar items.
  • Change Themes: Pale Moon supports lightweight themes called “Personas.” To browse and apply themes, go to the Pale Moon Add-ons Site and search for “Personas.”

Optimize Pale Moon Performance on Linux Mint

To ensure your Pale Moon browser runs smoothly on Linux Mint, consider the following tips:

  • Enable Hardware Acceleration: Go to Preferences > Advanced > General, then check the box for “Use hardware acceleration when available.” This option helps improve the browser’s performance by utilizing your computer’s GPU.
  • Limit the Number of Open Tabs: Having too many open tabs can slow down your browser. Close unused tabs or use an extension like Tab Mix Plus to manage your tabs more efficiently.

Enhance Your Pale Moon Browsing Experience on Linux Mint

To further improve your browsing experience with Pale Moon on Linux Mint, consider these recommendations:

  • Install Useful Extensions: Browse the Pale Moon Add-ons Site to find and install helpful extensions that suit your needs, such as ad-blockers, password managers, and productivity tools.
  • Manage Your Bookmarks: Organize your bookmarks in folders and use the built-in search feature to find them easily. Access the bookmarks manager by clicking on Bookmarks > Show All Bookmarks.
  • Enable Tracking Protection: Protect your privacy by enabling tracking protection. Go to Preferences > Privacy & Security > Tracking Protection, then check the box for “Use Tracking Protection.”

Following these tips and customizations, you can create a more efficient, personalized, and enjoyable browsing experience with the Pale Moon browser on your Linux Mint system.

First launch view of Pale Moon Browser's landing page on Linux Mint.
See what to expect with the Pale Moon Browser’s first-time landing page on Linux Mint.
Pale Moon Browser open with DuckDuckGo as the set default search engine on Linux Mint.
The Pale Moon Browser with DuckDuckGo search engine, post-installation on Linux Mint.

Additional Commands for Pale Moon on Linux Mint 21 or 20

Update Pale Moon Browser on Linux Mint

To keep your Pale Moon browser up-to-date, you should periodically check for updates. The following command will update Pale Moon along with the rest of your system:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Remove Pale Moon Browser From Linux Mint

If you decide that Pale Moon is no longer needed on your Linux Mint system, follow these steps to remove the browser and its associated files:

Step 1: Uninstall Pale Moon

Run the following command to uninstall the Pale Moon browser:

sudo apt remove palemoon

Step 2: Remove Repository & GPG Key

To clean up your system completely, you should also remove the previously imported repository and GPG key. Use the command below to achieve this:

sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/home:stevenpusser.list /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/home_stevenpusser.gpg

Conclusion

In conclusion, installing the Pale Moon browser on Linux Mint provides users a privacy-focused, custom, and thoroughly efficient browsing experience. By utilizing a third-party apt repository, Linux Mint users can easily install and maintain the latest version of Pale Moon, ensuring a secure and up-to-date browsing experience. The active development community and open-source nature of Pale Moon make it a solid alternative to more popular browsers like Google Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge.

Leave a Comment


Your Mastodon Instance
Share to...