How To Install Microsoft Edge on Debian 12

Microsoft Edge, the Chromium-based web browser developed by Microsoft, has gained popularity among users for its performance, compatibility, and feature-rich experience. As a Linux user running Debian 12, you might be interested in installing Microsoft Edge to explore its capabilities and have an alternative browsing option. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the process of installing Microsoft Edge on Debian 12, providing step-by-step instructions, troubleshooting tips, and additional resources to ensure a smooth installation experience.

Understanding Microsoft Edge

Before diving into the installation process, let’s take a moment to understand what Microsoft Edge brings to the table. Built on the open-source Chromium project, Microsoft Edge offers a fast, secure, and modern browsing experience. It supports a wide range of extensions, integrates with Microsoft services, and provides features like Collections, vertical tabs, and enhanced privacy controls. Compared to other browsers available on Debian 12, such as Firefox and Chromium, Microsoft Edge stands out with its unique blend of performance, compatibility, and user-friendly features.

Prerequisites for Installation

To ensure a successful installation of Microsoft Edge on Debian 12, make sure your system meets the following requirements:

• Debian 12 operating system (64-bit)
• Adequate disk space (at least 200 MB)
• Internet connection to download the necessary packages

Additionally, you will need access to the terminal with sudo privileges to execute the installation commands.

Method 1: Installing via APT Repository

The most straightforward method to install Microsoft Edge on Debian 12 is by adding the official Microsoft APT repository. Follow these steps to set up the repository and install the browser:

Step 1: Update System Packages

Before proceeding with the installation, it’s essential to update your system packages to ensure you have the latest versions. Open the terminal and run the following command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Step 2: Install Required Packages

Next, install the necessary tools and dependencies required for adding the Microsoft APT repository. Execute the following command:

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

Step 3: Add Microsoft APT Repository

To add the Microsoft APT repository, you need to download and add the GPG key. Run the following commands in the terminal:

curl https://packages.microsoft.com/keys/microsoft.asc | gpg --dearmor > microsoft.gpg
sudo install -o root -g root -m 644 microsoft.gpg /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/

Next, add the repository to the sources list by executing the following command:

sudo sh -c 'echo "deb [arch=amd64] https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/edge stable main" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/microsoft-edge.list'

Step 4: Install Microsoft Edge

With the repository set up, you can now install Microsoft Edge. Update the package cache and install the browser using the following commands:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install microsoft-edge-stable

The installation process will download and install Microsoft Edge along with its dependencies. Once the installation is complete, you can launch Microsoft Edge from the application menu or by typing microsoft-edge in the terminal.

Method 2: Installing via DEB Package

If you prefer to download and install Microsoft Edge manually, you can use the DEB package. Here’s how:

Step 1: Download the DEB Package

Visit the official Microsoft Edge download page. Select the DEB package for Debian 12 and download it to your computer.

Step 2: Install the DEB Package

Open the terminal and navigate to the directory where you downloaded the DEB package. Use the following command to install Microsoft Edge:

sudo dpkg -i microsoft-edge-stable_current_amd64.deb

If you encounter any dependency issues during the installation, you can resolve them by running:

sudo apt --fix-broken install

After the installation is complete, you can launch Microsoft Edge from the application menu or by typing microsoft-edge in the terminal.

Method 3: Installing via Flatpak

Flatpak is a popular package management system that allows you to install applications in a sandboxed environment. If you prefer using Flatpak, you can install Microsoft Edge using the following steps:

Step 1: Install Flatpak

If you don’t have Flatpak installed on your Debian 12 system, you can install it by running the following command:

sudo apt install flatpak

Step 2: Add Flathub Repository

Flathub is a central repository for Flatpak applications. Add the Flathub repository to your system by executing the following command:

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

Step 3: Install Microsoft Edge via Flatpak

With Flatpak and the Flathub repository set up, you can now install Microsoft Edge using the following command:

flatpak install flathub com.microsoft.Edge

Flatpak will download and install Microsoft Edge along with its required dependencies. Once the installation is complete, you can launch the browser from the application menu or by running flatpak run com.microsoft.Edge in the terminal.

Post-installation Steps

After installing Microsoft Edge on Debian 12, you can perform some initial setup and configuration to customize your browsing experience. When you launch Microsoft Edge for the first time, you will be greeted with a welcome screen where you can choose to sign in with your Microsoft account or continue without signing in. Signing in allows you to sync your bookmarks, passwords, and other settings across devices.

You can also explore the browser’s settings to adjust preferences such as the default search engine, privacy options, and appearance. Microsoft Edge offers a range of customization options to tailor the browser to your needs.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter any issues during the installation process or while using Microsoft Edge on Debian 12, here are a few troubleshooting tips:

• If you face dependency errors during installation, make sure to run sudo apt --fix-broken install to resolve them.
• If Microsoft Edge fails to launch, try running it from the terminal using microsoft-edge to see if any error messages appear.
• If you experience rendering issues or crashes, ensure that your system is up to date by running sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade.
• If you have multiple versions of Microsoft Edge installed (e.g., stable and beta), you can specify which version to launch using the --channel flag, like microsoft-edge --channel=stable.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Microsoft Edge. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing the latest version of Microsoft Edge web browser on Debian 12. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official Microsoft Edge website.