How To Install Microsoft Edge on Fedora 43

Microsoft Edge has evolved dramatically since its Chromium-based rebirth, transforming from a Windows-exclusive browser into a powerful cross-platform solution that Linux users genuinely appreciate. For Fedora 43 users seeking seamless integration with Microsoft’s ecosystem, excellent performance, and robust progressive web app support, Edge offers a compelling alternative to traditional Linux browsers. This comprehensive guide walks through two proven installation methods—RPM repository and Flatpak—complete with troubleshooting solutions and optimization tips tailored specifically for Fedora 43’s modern architecture.

Prerequisites and System Requirements

Before beginning the installation process, ensure your Fedora 43 system meets these basic requirements. You’ll need an active Fedora 43 installation, whether Workstation, Server, or any official spin. Administrative access through sudo privileges is essential for package management operations.

An active internet connection is necessary for downloading packages and repositories. While Edge runs on modest hardware, 4GB of RAM and 500MB of free disk space provide a comfortable experience. Fedora 43 introduces significant changes, including a Wayland-only GNOME environment without X11 fallback, which Edge handles natively. Having a Microsoft account ready for sync features is optional but enhances functionality.

Understanding Your Installation Options

Fedora users have two robust pathways for installing Microsoft Edge, each with distinct advantages.

RPM Repository Method

The RPM approach delivers native system integration through Microsoft’s official repository. This method allows DNF to manage Edge alongside your system updates, providing access to all three release channels: stable, beta, and dev. Performance benefits from direct system resource access, and automatic security patches arrive through your regular system updates.

Flatpak Method

Flatpak installation creates a sandboxed environment with restricted filesystem access, emphasizing security through application isolation. Available from Flathub in stable and dev versions, this method requires slightly more disk space due to bundled dependencies. While system integration is somewhat limited compared to RPM, the enhanced security model appeals to privacy-conscious users.

Choose RPM for maximum performance and complete system integration. Select Flatpak when security isolation takes priority over convenience.

Method 1: Installing Microsoft Edge via RPM Repository

This method remains the most popular choice among Fedora users, offering seamless integration with the system’s package management.

Step 1: Update Your System

Begin by refreshing your Fedora 43 installation. Open your terminal application and execute:

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

This command updates all installed packages and refreshes repository metadata, preventing potential dependency conflicts during Edge installation. Fedora 43 utilizes DNF5 by default, offering improved performance over previous versions. The update process typically completes within minutes, depending on pending updates and connection speed.

Step 2: Import Microsoft’s GPG Key

Security verification is critical when adding third-party repositories. Import Microsoft’s GPG key to authenticate packages:

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

The command completes silently—no output indicates success. This cryptographic key ensures downloaded packages originate from Microsoft and haven’t been tampered with during transmission. Fedora 43’s RPM 6.0 enforces stricter package verification, making this step mandatory.

Verify successful import by listing installed GPG keys:

rpm -q gpg-pubkey --qf '%{NAME}-%{VERSION}-%{RELEASE}\t%{SUMMARY}\n'

Look for Microsoft Corporation entries in the output.

Step 3: Add Microsoft Edge Repository

Configure the Edge repository using Fedora 43’s updated DNF syntax:

sudo dnf config-manager addrepo --from-repofile=https://packages.microsoft.com/yumrepos/edge/config.repo

Note the command structure differs from older Fedora versions where –add-repo was common. The repository configuration file installs to /etc/yum.repos.d/, enabling DNF to check for Edge updates during system maintenance.

Confirm successful repository addition:

dnf repolist | grep edge

You should see the Microsoft Edge repository listed among available sources.

Step 4: Install Microsoft Edge Stable

Execute the installation command for the stable release channel:

sudo dnf install microsoft-edge-stable

DNF displays transaction details including download size (approximately 150-200MB) and installed size. When prompted, type ‘y’ to confirm installation. The package manager resolves dependencies automatically, downloading and installing required components.

Installation completes within minutes on most connections. Verify the installation succeeded by checking the version:

microsoft-edge --version

The output displays your installed version, confirming successful deployment.

Alternative Release Channels

Web developers and early adopters often prefer beta or dev channels for testing upcoming features.

Install the beta channel:

sudo dnf install microsoft-edge-beta

Install the dev channel:

sudo dnf install microsoft-edge-dev

All three versions coexist peacefully on Fedora, appearing as separate applications in GNOME’s application launcher. Stable receives monthly updates, beta updates bi-weekly, and dev builds arrive weekly with cutting-edge features.

Method 2: Installing Microsoft Edge via Flatpak

Flatpak provides an alternative installation path emphasizing security and containerization.

Step 1: Verify Flatpak Installation

Fedora Workstation 43 includes Flatpak by default. Verify installation:

flatpak --version

If Flatpak is missing, install it:

sudo dnf install flatpak

Check configured remotes:

flatpak remotes

Flathub should appear in the list.

Step 2: Enable Flathub Repository

If Flathub isn’t active, enable it:

sudo flatpak remote-modify --system --enable flathub

For fresh Flathub configuration:

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

This command safely adds Flathub without duplicating existing configurations.

Step 3: Install Microsoft Edge via Flatpak

Install the stable version:

sudo flatpak install --system flathub com.microsoft.Edge -y

The –system flag installs Edge system-wide, making it available to all users. Flatpak downloads the application and required runtimes, typically requiring 300-400MB. Installation progress displays in real-time.

For the development channel:

sudo flatpak install --system flathub com.microsoft.EdgeDev -y

Unfortunately, Flatpak doesn’t offer the beta channel through Flathub.

Step 4: Verify Installation

Confirm successful installation:

flatpak list | grep -i edge

The output shows the Edge application ID and version. Test launching:

flatpak run com.microsoft.Edge --version

This displays the installed version number, confirming everything works correctly.

Launching Microsoft Edge on Fedora 43

Command Line Launch

RPM installations respond to simple commands:

microsoft-edge

For alternative channels:

microsoft-edge-beta
microsoft-edge-dev

Launch Flatpak versions:

flatpak run com.microsoft.Edge

Append & to any command for background execution, freeing your terminal for other tasks.

GUI Launch via GNOME 49

Fedora 43 ships with GNOME 49, featuring an improved application launcher. Click Activities in the top-left corner or press the Super key. Click the application grid icon at the bottom of the dash. Type “Microsoft Edge” in the search field.

Multiple icons appear if you’ve installed different channels—each displays a distinctive badge. Click your preferred version to launch. Right-click any icon and select “Add to Favorites” for quick access from the dash.

First launch presents Edge’s welcome screen, guiding you through initial configuration.

Initial Configuration and Setup

Edge’s first-run experience walks through essential settings. Sign in with your Microsoft account to enable sync features—bookmarks, passwords, browsing history, and extensions follow you across devices. Skip this step if you prefer local-only usage.

Configure sync settings granularly, choosing which data types to synchronize. Privacy settings offer three tracking prevention levels: Basic allows most trackers, Balanced blocks harmful trackers while maintaining site compatibility, and Strict blocks the maximum number of trackers but may break some websites.

Customize your home page and new tab layout. Import data from existing browsers—Edge detects Firefox, Chrome, and Chromium installations, offering to transfer bookmarks, passwords, and history.

Decide whether to set Edge as your default browser. GNOME’s settings remember this choice. Microsoft Copilot AI integration appears during setup, offering AI-powered assistance for various tasks. OneDrive integration enables cloud synchronization of favorites and collections.

Choose your telemetry preferences. Microsoft uses diagnostic data to improve Edge, but you control what you share.

Post-Installation Verification

Navigate to Settings > About Microsoft Edge to confirm your version number. Test basic functionality by visiting several websites and performing a download. Check hardware acceleration status by visiting edge://gpu—properly configured systems show green checkmarks for most features.

Verify Wayland integration at edge://version. Look for “Ozone platform” showing “wayland” rather than “x11″—Fedora 43’s Wayland-only environment requires native support. Test video playback on YouTube or similar platforms to confirm codec support for H.264, VP9, and AV1.

Check your default download location in Settings and verify file permissions work correctly. Confirm automatic update configuration in Settings > About.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Repository Connection Errors

“Failed to download metadata” errors typically stem from connectivity issues. Verify your internet connection works properly. Check firewall or proxy settings that might block Microsoft’s servers.

Clear DNF’s cache and retry:

sudo dnf clean all
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

If GPG verification fails, reimport Microsoft’s key following Step 2 instructions.

Flatpak Permission Problems

Sandboxed Flatpak installations sometimes struggle accessing directories or downloading files. Check current permissions:

flatpak info --show-permissions com.microsoft.Edge

Grant home directory access:

sudo flatpak override --system com.microsoft.Edge --filesystem=home

Install Flatseal from Flathub for graphical permission management—it provides intuitive controls for adjusting Flatpak application access. Balance security requirements against functionality needs when modifying permissions.

Wayland-Specific Challenges

Fedora 43’s Wayland-only environment occasionally causes screen sharing difficulties. Enable PipeWire screen capture in Edge settings under Privacy and Security. Navigate to edge://flags and search for Wayland-specific options.

Launch Edge with Wayland optimizations:

microsoft-edge --enable-features=WaylandWindowDecorations

GPU acceleration issues may require flag adjustments. Visit edge://flags and experiment with graphics-related settings. Verify whether Edge runs in native Wayland or XWayland compatibility mode using edge://version.

Updating Microsoft Edge

RPM Updates

System updates automatically include Edge when installed via RPM:

sudo dnf upgrade

Target Edge specifically:

sudo dnf upgrade microsoft-edge-stable

DNF Automatic can handle unattended updates if configured. Check update history in DNF logs located at /var/log/dnf.log.

Flatpak Updates

Update Edge via Flatpak:

sudo flatpak update com.microsoft.Edge

GNOME Software automatically notifies about available Flatpak updates. Update all Flatpak applications simultaneously:

sudo flatpak update

Check for available updates without installing:

flatpak remote-ls --updates

Uninstalling Microsoft Edge

Removing RPM Installation

Remove the Edge package:

sudo dnf remove microsoft-edge-stable

Disable the repository:

sudo dnf config-manager setopt edge-yum.enabled=0

Optionally delete the repository file:

sudo rm /etc/yum.repos.d/config.repo

Verify removal:

dnf repolist --all | grep edge

User configuration data persists at ~/.config/microsoft-edge/. Delete this directory to remove all settings and cache.

Removing Flatpak Installation

Uninstall the Flatpak:

sudo flatpak uninstall com.microsoft.Edge

Clean unused dependencies:

sudo flatpak uninstall --unused

User data resides at ~/.var/app/com.microsoft.Edge/. Remove this directory for complete cleanup.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Microsoft Edge. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing the Microsoft Edge browser on your Fedora 43 Linux system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official Microsoft Edge website.