Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge is a browser developed from the Chromium open source project. Microsoft Edge is now available on most major desktops and mobile platforms. However, this section will focus on installing it on a Linux system. At the time of creating this webpage, I am using Ubuntu MATE 20.04.4 LTS.
A lot of die-hard Linux users/fans will not install the Edge browser because it's a Microsoft product. I understand that, but I also think Linux is all about giving the user freedom of choice. A lot of Windows users use the Edge browser everyday, so those users now have the same choice of choice of browser on a Linux system.
How to Install Microsoft Edge on a Debian / Ubuntu System
There are two methods for installing Microsoft Edge on a Linux system. The first method or easiest method is to download and install it from a .deb or .rpm package directly from the Microsoft Edge website. It will quickly install it on your system and configure it to receive future updates. The second method is to install it using the Terminal and install it via the Microsoft's Linux Software Repository. "Repositories can be configured automatically by installing the Linux package that applies to your Linux distribution and version. The package will install the repository configuration along with the GPG public key used by tools such as apt/yum/zypper to validate the signed packages and/or repository metadata."
I will demonstrate both methods below.
Method 1: Installing via .deb package
1. Go to the Microsoft Edge website and click on the button for Linux (.deb) Debian / Ubuntu.
There are two methods for installing Microsoft Edge on a Linux system. The first method or easiest method is to download and install it from a .deb or .rpm package directly from the Microsoft Edge website. It will quickly install it on your system and configure it to receive future updates. The second method is to install it using the Terminal and install it via the Microsoft's Linux Software Repository. "Repositories can be configured automatically by installing the Linux package that applies to your Linux distribution and version. The package will install the repository configuration along with the GPG public key used by tools such as apt/yum/zypper to validate the signed packages and/or repository metadata."
I will demonstrate both methods below.
Method 1: Installing via .deb package
1. Go to the Microsoft Edge website and click on the button for Linux (.deb) Debian / Ubuntu.
2. You will then be greeted with a Privacy statement that you must accept before you can download. Click the Accept and download button to start the download process.
3. You will be greeted with a small Thank you! screen as your file downloads to your computer.
4. Go to the location of the file and double-click it to start your package installer or package manager. I will be using the gDebi package installer for my example. (sudo apt-get install gdebi)
5. The Package Installer should soon load. Click the Install Package button to start the installation process.
6. Enter your password and click the Authenticate button.
7. You will notice a small dialog box appear with a animated progress bar as it installs.
8. Wait until you see Status: Same version is already installed and the two buttons Reinstall Package and Remove Package before you close the Package Installer. Reboot your system after the installation completes.
9. If you get an error message the next time you update/ upgrade your software, then open your Terminal and enter the following:
sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/microsoft-edge-beta.list
(If you had the Beta version installed, it might conflict the Stable version.)
sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/microsoft-edge-beta.list
(If you had the Beta version installed, it might conflict the Stable version.)
Method 2: Installing via Command Line or Terminal
Open your Terminal enter the information one at a time to set up your PPA yourself. It will install the signing key, a source list file, and install the most current Beta version of Microsoft Edge.
Curl must be installed before you install Microsoft Edge using the Terminal.
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y curl
Open your Terminal enter the information one at a time to set up your PPA yourself. It will install the signing key, a source list file, and install the most current Beta version of Microsoft Edge.
Curl must be installed before you install Microsoft Edge using the Terminal.
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y curl
1. curl https://packages.microsoft.com/keys/microsoft.asc | gpg --dearmor > microsoft.gpg
2. sudo install -o root -g root -m 644 microsoft.gpg /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/
3. sudo sh -c 'echo "deb [arch=amd64] https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/edge stable main" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/microsoft-edge-dev.list'
4. sudo apt update
6. sudo apt install microsoft-edge-stable
Close your Terminal and reboot your system when the installation completes. Then look in your Software & Updates for the Microsoft Edge PPA added to your repository list. If you see two PPA links then select one and either uncheck it or click the -Remove button.
You will be prompted to enter your Password and then click the Authenticate button.
Then click the Close button. You will then be prompted with a small dialog box. Click the Reload button to reload or refresh your PPAs.
Then look back in your Software & Updates to see if you have only one Microsoft Edge PPA in your repository list. Click the Close button.
Ubuntu MATE Users Have Two Additional Installation Methods
You can install Microsoft Edge from the Welcome screen in Ubuntu MATE. Click on the Browser Selection button.
You can install Microsoft Edge from the Welcome screen in Ubuntu MATE. Click on the Browser Selection button.
You will have several choices of popular web browsers to install via the click of a button. Just click the Install button next to Edge and then enter your password to install the browser.
Ubuntu MATE users can also install Microsoft Edge via the Software Boutique.
You should now see Microsoft Edge in your menu.
When you update your system it will also update Microsoft Edge to ensure that your that you have the most up-to-date browser.
Opening Microsoft Edge for the First Time
When you open Microsoft Edge for the first time you will be greeted with a Welcome to Microsoft Edge screen. You must click the Accept and get started button to continue.
When you open Microsoft Edge for the first time you will be greeted with a Welcome to Microsoft Edge screen. You must click the Accept and get started button to continue.
You can then setup your new tab page by selecting between Inspirational, Informational, and Focused. However, if you change your mind later you can always change it in the Page Settings.
You will then be given a chance to sign in to your Microsoft Account to sync your data.
You can then tab through a series of links to explore the features of Microsoft Edge. Watch the short slideshow below to see each tab.
You will then be ready to start using or customizing your new browser.
Click the gear icon in the upper right and then click on the Custom option.
You can then enable or turn on the features you like. You can also change the background or select a custom theme.
You can click the three dots (...) in the upper right to access the Settings and more menu or press Alt+F. Click the Settings option to setup your browser for the first time.
You will first be taken to the Profile section. I highly recommend that you make changes to the sections Microsoft Rewards, Personal Info, Passwords, Payment Info, and Important browser data before you log in or sign in with a Microsoft account and sync it to your new browser.
I turn off the option Show rewards points in Microsoft Edge user profile. The click the left arrow to go back to the previous screen.
I then go into the Personal info section and turn off Save and fill personal info.
In the Passwords section I turn off Offer to save passwords, Sign in, and Show the "Reveal password" button in password fields.
In the Payment info section I turned off Save and fill payments info and I make sure there's nothing saved under the Cards you've saved on this device.
If you do decide to import anything into the browser, I only recommend that you import your bookmarks from another browser. However, you can use online bookmarks or the start.me website to safely protect your bookmarks.
I've learned the hard way that you never save important information within your browser. If a hacker got access to your user name and password, he or she could sync your data into their browser and have access to anything you have access too. I highly recommend that you protect your important data using Bitwarden. Bitwarden is an open-source password manager that stores all your credentials in an encrypted vault, protected by a master password. Bitwarden protects user passwords with 256-bit AES encryption, which makes it extremely difficult for hackers to access the data on Bitwarden’s servers. Bitwarden also has a zero-knowledge policy, which means that not even Bitwarden can access your data.
To help increase your security online, click on Privacy, search, and services on the left and then make sure that Send "Do Not Track" requests is turned on or enabled. Turn off or disable, Allow sites to check if you have payment methods saved. Turn off or disable, Help improve Microsoft products by sending diagnostic data about how you use the browser... Turn off or disable, Improve your web experience by allowing Microsoft to use your browsing history from this account for personalizing advertising... Turn on or enable, Microsoft Defender SmartScreen and Block potentially unwanted apps.
Microsoft Edge comes with support for Microsoft Defender SmartScreen to help keep you safe while you surf the Internet.
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen Demo Pages
https://nav.smartscreen.msft.net/
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen Demo Pages
https://nav.smartscreen.msft.net/
There's an extension called Microsoft Defender Browser Protection for Google Chrome and Chromium based browsers.
I recommend that you change your DNS (Domain Name Server) to a known safe or secure DNS. I selected Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) from the list, but each option is a great option. If you have kids then I recommend CleanBrowsing (Family Filter) because it blocks out most adult content.
I then turned on the Enhance your security on the web feature to help protect your browser from malware.
Edge has more privacy settings than Chrome and Edge uses Microsoft Defender SmartScreen to protect against malicious websites and deceitful downloads.
Select the Services that meet your preferences.
Select the Services that meet your preferences.
You can customize your address bar and search preferences.
You can add some additional add-ons to help keep you safe as you surf the Internet. However, keep in mind that add-ons or extensions that you install in your browser normally have access to everything you do online. They can access passwords and other data saved in your browser, track you as you browse the Internet, and insert ads in webpages you visit. Some popular browser extensions eventually were sold to dodgy companies or were hijacked and turned into malware. These harmful extensions may contain keyloggers that records everything you type on your keyboard. Do some research on an extension before you install it in your browser. Also check to see if it gets frequent updates. If it goes over a year without receiving an update then I recommend that you remove it because the project is probably abandoned and no longer receives security updates.
Recommended Add-ons or Extensions
Microsoft has it's own Edge Add-ons website.
Here's some recommended extensions:
Microsoft has it's own Edge Add-ons website.
Here's some recommended extensions:
- uBlock Origin
- Poper Blocker
- Privacy Badger or DuckDuckGo
- Bitwarden
- HTTPS Everywhere
- SponsorBlock for YouTube (Chrome Web Store)
- Malwarebytes Browser Guard (Chrome Web Store)
If you have an old computer, I recommend that you click on System and Performance and then turn off the setting, Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed.
Microsoft Edge also supports Media Casting. It's possible to cast from Microsoft Edge to your Smart TV or other devices on your wireless network. This functionality can prove handy for displaying your social media photo albums on your living room television, or for viewing a slideshow on a conference room screen.
The Edge browser supports media casting to any DLNA or Miracast-enabled devices on your internal network, which includes most modern TVs and popular streaming devices like Amazon Fire TV and certain versions of the Roku.
The Edge browser supports media casting to any DLNA or Miracast-enabled devices on your internal network, which includes most modern TVs and popular streaming devices like Amazon Fire TV and certain versions of the Roku.
Microsoft Edge Works Great with MS Office Online
If you use the online MS Office, then you might want to give Microsoft Edge a try. It works well with the online Office package. Plus, it helps you keep all your Microsoft info in one place.
If you use the online MS Office, then you might want to give Microsoft Edge a try. It works well with the online Office package. Plus, it helps you keep all your Microsoft info in one place.
Here's an example of a 6th grade science test I created years ago on the school laptop using MS Word. The online MS Word works great for creating documents or editing documents that were created in MS Word.
Below is an example of a MS PowerPoint Presentation I put together on the school laptop using MS PowerPoint. The online MS PowerPoint works great for creating or editing a presentation created using MS PowerPoint.
Here's an example of a sample grade book using online MS Excel. The students in the sample grade book are made up names and the grades are made up as well.
How to Remove Microsoft Edge
Open your Terminal and enter the following:
Stable Version:
sudo apt remove microsoft-edge-stable
Dev Version:
sudo apt remove microsoft-edge-dev
Beta Version:
sudo apt remove microsoft-edge-beta
Open your Terminal and enter the following:
Stable Version:
sudo apt remove microsoft-edge-stable
Dev Version:
sudo apt remove microsoft-edge-dev
Beta Version:
sudo apt remove microsoft-edge-beta
Graphical User Interface (GUI) to Remove Microsoft Edge
1. Open Synaptic Package Manager and search for microsoft-edge. Locate the version or package that is installed on your system and then right-click it and select Mark for Removal. (If you want to remove all the setting files then click on Mark for Complete Removal.) Then click the Apply button.
1. Open Synaptic Package Manager and search for microsoft-edge. Locate the version or package that is installed on your system and then right-click it and select Mark for Removal. (If you want to remove all the setting files then click on Mark for Complete Removal.) Then click the Apply button.
2. Open the Software Center (a.k.a. Software) and click the Installed tab across the top. Scroll down until you see Microsoft Edge and then click the Remove button.
3. Open Stacer and click on the Uninstaller icon on the left. Search for microsoft-edge and click the checkbox to the left of the program and then click the Uninstall Selected button.
4. Open App Grid and search for microsoft-edge and then selected the package that is installed on your system.
Then click on the Remove button across the top.
Remove Microsoft Edge PPA
Open Software & Updates and then click on the Other Software tab across the top. Select the Microsoft Edge repos from the list and click the Remove button.
Open Software & Updates and then click on the Other Software tab across the top. Select the Microsoft Edge repos from the list and click the Remove button.
Your system should no long have Microsoft Edge or its PPA on your system if you perform the steps above.
Overall, I think the Microsoft Edge browser is a decent web browser. If you hate Microsoft then I don't recommend that you install it. If you use Microsoft Edge as your daily web browser on a Windows operating system then keep in mind that it is now available for Linux.
I don't see this browser becoming a popular web browser for the die hard Linux users. However, it does give Linux users more choices for those who decide to try it out.
Mar 23, 2021