How to Install Microsoft Edge on Fedora 40 or 39

Microsoft Edge, the modern web browser from Microsoft, has made significant strides since its inception. It offers Microsoft Edge is a Chromium-based web browser known for its speed, security, and extensive feature set, including advanced privacy settings, built-in malware protection, and seamless integration with Microsoft services. Edge is available in multiple versions, including stable, beta, and developer builds, allowing users to choose the level of stability and access to new features that best suits their needs.

On Fedora 40 or 39, Microsoft Edge can be installed using two main methods. The first method is through the Microsoft RPM repository, which provides access to the latest stable, beta, and developer builds. This method ensures you receive updates directly from Microsoft. Alternatively, you can install Edge via Flatpak from Flathub, which offers sandboxed environments for the stable and developer builds. This guide will walk you through both installation methods, helping you choose the best option for your setup.

Method 1: Install Microsoft Edge via Microsoft RPM

Update the Fedora Packages Before the Microsoft Edge Installation

Before jumping in, ensuring your system is up-to-date is good practice. This step avoids potential conflicts and ensures a smooth installation process. Open your terminal and execute the following command:

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Import Microsoft RPM Repository

Before we install Microsoft Edge, we need to add its official repository to our system. However, we should import the GPG key for the RPM packages before doing so. This key verifies the authenticity and integrity of the packages we’ll install, adding an extra layer of security. To import the GPG key, run this command:

sudo rpm --import https://packages.microsoft.com/keys/microsoft.asc

This command downloads and imports the Microsoft GPG key used to sign the RPM packages for Microsoft Edge. It ensures the packages are genuine and haven’t been tampered with.

Next, we will add the Microsoft RPM repository to our system. Use the following command to do so:

sudo dnf config-manager --add-repo https://packages.microsoft.com/yumrepos/edge

You should see the output confirming the addition of the repository as below:

Adding repo from: https://packages.microsoft.com/yumrepos/edge

Select Microsoft Edge Browser Version Installation

The introduction notes that Microsoft Edge offers three versions: stable, beta, and developer. Each serves a different need. The stable version provides a well-tested and reliable user experience. The beta version allows users to experiment with upcoming features but may not be as stable. The developer version is for those who don’t mind living on the Edge, using the newest (potentially unstable) features.

Option 1: Install Microsoft Edge stable build (Recommended)

For most users, we recommend installing the stable version of Microsoft Edge, which you can do using this command:

sudo dnf install microsoft-edge-stable

You can verify the version and build of Microsoft Edge installed on your system using the following command:

microsoft-edge -version

Option 2: Install Microsoft Edge Beta or Dev builds

Those interested in previewing upcoming features can install the beta or developer versions of Microsoft Edge. However, remember that these versions may have bugs and aren’t recommended for daily use. To install these versions, use the following commands:

Microsoft Edge Beta:

sudo dnf install microsoft-edge-beta

Microsoft Edge Dev:

sudo dnf install microsoft-edge-dev

Remember that installing these versions won’t replace your stable Microsoft Edge. They will be installed as separate applications.

You can check the versions of these installations with the following commands:

microsoft-edge-beta --version

microsoft-edge-dev --version

Method 2: Install Microsoft Edge via Flatpak and Flathub

There are multiple ways to accomplish any task in the world of Linux. In our case, there’s an alternative to the DNF package manager for installing Microsoft Edge on Fedora Linux: Flatpak in conjunction with Flathub. Flatpak, a software utility for application sandboxing and distribution, is an excellent way to access the most recent versions of various software. It serves as an efficient distribution framework for Linux. When used alongside Flathub, an extensive app store, and repository for Linux, it’s a method that many Fedora users may find quite convenient.

Activating the Flathub Repository for Microsoft Edge

Before installing Microsoft Edge, we must ensure your system’s Flathub repository is active. Flathub hosts a wide variety of applications, including Microsoft Edge. To add the Flathub repository to your system, you’ll need to run the following command in your terminal:

sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

The flatpak remote-add –if-not-exists command checks if the Flathub repository is already present in your Flatpak configuration. If not, it adds the repository, giving you access to many applications available on Flathub. This is a crucial step in preparing your system for installing Microsoft Edge via Flatpak and Flathub.

Install Microsoft Edge via Flatpak Command

With the Flathub repository active on your system, we’re all set to install Microsoft Edge using the Flatpak package manager. Unlike the previous method that used the DNF package manager and Microsoft’s DNF repository, we can only install the stable and developer versions of Microsoft Edge via Flatpak. However, both versions can be installed side by side.

To install the stable version of Microsoft Edge, use the following command:

flatpak install flathub com.microsoft.Edge -y

For those looking to explore the latest features and improvements of Microsoft Edge, you can install the developer version using the following command:

flatpak install flathub com.microsoft.EdgeDev -y

If you encounter an error message reading, “error: Unable to load summary from remote flathub: Can’t fetch summary from disabled remote ‘flathub’,” it signifies that the Flathub repository is disabled on your system. To resolve this issue, you’ll need to enable the Flathub repository with the following command:

flatpak remote-modify --enable flathub

After enabling the Flathub repository, try installing Microsoft Edge using the previous

Launch Microsoft Edge Browser

Launching Microsoft Edge from the Command Line on Fedora

The terminal or command-line interface can be a powerful tool for managing and controlling your system, offering direct control over your software and files. Here, we provide the command-line instructions for launching Microsoft Edge.

DNF Method of launching Microsoft Edge

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

microsoft-edge

If you’ve installed the Beta or Developer versions of Microsoft Edge, you can also launch these versions using the respective commands:

microsoft-edge-beta

microsoft-edge-dev

Flatpak Method of launching Microsoft Edge

If you used the Flatpak method to install Microsoft Edge, you can run the following commands to launch the stable and Developer versions, respectively:

flatpak run com.microsoft.Edge

flatpak run com.microsoft.EdgeDev

Launching Microsoft Edge from the GUI

Not all users are comfortable or familiar with using a command-line interface, and that’s perfectly fine. Fedora’s desktop environment provides a user-friendly graphical interface for managing your installed software.

To launch Microsoft Edge from the GUI, you can follow these steps:

1. Click on Activities, located at the top left corner of your desktop.
2. Click on Show Applications. This option is usually represented by a grid of dots at the bottom of the sidebar.
3. Locate the Microsoft Edge icon. You can also use the search bar to type in “Microsoft Edge” to find the application quickly.
4. Click on the Microsoft Edge icon to launch the browser. If you’ve installed multiple versions (stable, beta, or dev), click on the correct icon for the version you wish to use.

First-Time Setup Wizard on Microsoft Edge with Fedora

Upon launching Microsoft Edge for the first time, you’ll be greeted with an introductory screen designed to facilitate the initial setup and personalization of your browsing experience. This configuration process is straightforward and user-friendly, ensuring your browser is set up to meet your needs best.

The Welcome Screen

When you first open Microsoft Edge, a welcome screen will be presented. This screen is intended to help you understand some of the critical features of the browser and guide you through the initial configuration process.

The welcome screen may include options to customize your privacy settings, set up your new tab page, and import bookmarks from your previous browser.

Account Sign-In and Synchronization

Microsoft Edge offers a synchronization feature that allows you to access your browsing history, bookmarks, extensions, and more across multiple devices. This is particularly useful if you use multiple computers or other devices and want to maintain a consistent browsing experience.

The sign-in screen will appear as follows:

You will be prompted to sign in with your Microsoft account to enable this feature. If you don’t have an account, you’ll have the option to create one.

However, you can continue without signing in if you do not wish to synchronize your browser data across devices. This can be done by clicking “X” in the pop-up window’s upper right corner.

Finalizing Your Configuration

Once you’ve navigated through the welcome screen and decided on the synchronization option, your initial setup of Microsoft Edge is complete. You’re ready to explore the web with your newly installed browser.

Congratulations! You have successfully configured Microsoft Edge on your Fedora Linux system.

Managing Microsoft Edge with Fedora

DNF Remove Commands for Microsoft Edge

If you’ve used the DNF package manager to install Microsoft Edge, it can also remove the browser from your system. Here’s how to do it:

For the stable version, use the following command:

sudo dnf remove microsoft-edge

For the Beta version, you can use:

sudo dnf remove microsoft-edge-beta

And if you’ve installed the Developer version, execute the following:

sudo dnf remove microsoft-edge-stable-dev

Removing the associated repositories is also recommended if you’ve decided to cut ties completely with Microsoft Edge and have no intention of reinstalling it later. However, note that if you wish to reinstall Microsoft Edge later, you will have to re-import these repositories and follow the installation steps again.

To remove the repositories, use this command:

sudo rm /etc/yum.repos.d/microsoft-edge*

It’s important to note that executing these commands will remove all three versions of the Microsoft Edge repositories from your system. If you only want to remove the Beta or Developer version while retaining the stable one, you must modify the commands accordingly. Otherwise, the stable version will not receive any necessary updates.

Flatpak Remove Commands for Microsoft Edge

The removal process is slightly different if you install Microsoft Edge using Flatpak. Here’s how to uninstall the stable version of Microsoft Edge:

sudo flatpak uninstall com.microsoft.Edge

And for the Developer version:

sudo flatpak uninstall com.microsoft.EdgeDev

Conclusion

With Microsoft Edge installed on your Fedora system using either the RPM repository or Flatpak from Flathub, you can enjoy a fast and secure browsing experience with access to the latest features. The RPM repository method allows for easy updates to the latest stable, beta, or developer versions, while Flatpak provides a sandboxed environment for enhanced security and flexibility. Regularly updating through these methods ensures your browser stays current, enabling a smooth and efficient browsing experience on Fedora.