How To Install Microsoft Edge on Manjaro

Microsoft Edge has become increasingly popular among Linux users seeking a robust Chromium-based alternative with unique features. As Manjaro Linux continues to grow in popularity, many users are looking to install Edge for its seamless integration with Microsoft services, enhanced privacy controls, and performance optimizations. This comprehensive guide walks you through multiple installation methods, post-installation setup, and troubleshooting to ensure you get Edge running smoothly on your Manjaro system.

Understanding Microsoft Edge on Linux

Microsoft Edge for Linux represents Microsoft’s commitment to cross-platform compatibility. Available in three different release channels-Stable, Beta, and Dev-Edge provides varying levels of feature stability to suit different user needs. The Stable version offers the most reliable experience for everyday use, while Beta and Dev versions provide earlier access to upcoming features with potential stability trade-offs.

Unlike its legacy Internet Explorer predecessor, the modern Edge browser uses the Chromium engine-the same foundation powering Google Chrome. This architectural choice ensures excellent web compatibility while Microsoft adds unique features like Collections, vertical tabs, and enhanced privacy controls.

On Manjaro Linux, Edge performs comparably to its Windows counterpart, with only minor differences in certain system integrations. For users already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem, Edge offers the most seamless experience for accessing services like Microsoft 365, OneDrive, and Bing.

Prerequisites for Installation

Before installing Microsoft Edge on Manjaro, ensure your system meets these requirements:

• An up-to-date Manjaro Linux installation
• Working internet connection
• Administrator (sudo) privileges
• At least 500MB of free disk space

It’s crucial to update your system before installation to avoid dependency conflicts. Open a terminal and run:

sudo pacman -Syu

This command synchronizes your package database and updates all installed packages to their latest versions. If you plan to compile Edge from source, you’ll need development tools installed:

sudo pacman -S base-devel git

These packages provide essential build utilities that many installation methods require.

Method 1: Installing via AUR Helper (yay)

The Arch User Repository (AUR) offers the simplest installation method for Edge on Manjaro. The yay helper makes accessing AUR packages straightforward and manages dependencies automatically.

If you don’t have yay installed yet, install it first:

sudo pacman -S yay

Once yay is available, installing Microsoft Edge is simple:

1. Open a terminal window
2. Run the installation command:

yay -S microsoft-edge-stable

3. When prompted for “Packages to CleanBuild,” type “A” (for ALL)
4. When asked for “Diff to show,” type “N”
5. Confirm the installation by typing “Y” when prompted

The installation process will download the package, resolve dependencies, and install Edge on your system. This might take several minutes depending on your internet speed and system performance. After installation completes, Edge will be available in your application menu under the Internet or Web Browser category.

Method 2: Manual AUR Installation Process

For users who prefer more control or don’t want to install additional helpers like yay, manual installation from AUR is possible:

1. First, ensure you have the required dependencies:

sudo pacman -S base-devel git

2. Create a directory for the download or use your home directory:

cd ~

3. Clone the Edge repository from AUR:

git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/microsoft-edge-stable-bin.git

4. Navigate to the downloaded directory:

cd microsoft-edge-stable-bin

5. Build and install the package:

makepkg -si

The -si flags instruct makepkg to install required dependencies and the final package. The system will prompt for your password to complete the installation.

This method requires more manual steps but gives you more visibility into the installation process. It’s particularly useful when troubleshooting dependency issues or when you want to review the PKGBUILD file before installation.

Method 3: Using Manjaro’s Add/Remove Software (Pamac)

For users who prefer graphical interfaces, Manjaro’s Add/Remove Software utility (Pamac) provides a user-friendly way to install Edge:

1. First, you need to enable AUR support in Pamac:
   • Open “Add/Remove Software” from your application menu
   • Click the three dots (or three lines depending on your DE) in the top-right corner
   • Select “Preferences”
   • Navigate to the “Third Party” tab
   • Enable “AUR Support” and “Check for Updates”
2. Install Microsoft Edge:
   • Click the search icon at the top left
   • Type “edge” in the search box
   • Select “AUR” on the left panel to filter results
   • Find “microsoft-edge-stable-bin” in the results
   • Click “Build” and then “Apply” to install
3. Enter your password when prompted to authorize the installation

This method is particularly recommended for Linux beginners or users who prefer visual interfaces over command-line operations. Pamac handles all dependency resolution and installation processes automatically.

Method 4: Flatpak Installation Method

Flatpak offers a containerized approach to application installation, providing enhanced security and dependency isolation. Manjaro 20 and newer versions come with Flatpak pre-installed:

1. Enable Flatpak support:
   • Open Software Manager (Add/Remove Programs)
   • Click the menu button (three lines or dots) on the right
   • Select “Preferences”
   • Navigate to the “Flatpak” tab
   • Toggle the switch to enable Flatpak support
   • Optionally enable checking for updates (recommended)
2. Restart your system to complete the Flatpak setup
3. Install Microsoft Edge:
   • Return to the Software Manager
   • Search for “Microsoft Edge”
   • Select the Flatpak version
   • Click “Install”

Alternatively, use the terminal for installation:

flatpak install flathub com.microsoft.Edge

The Flatpak version runs in a sandboxed environment, which may limit some system integrations but provides better isolation from your system files.

Method 5: Snap Package Installation

Another containerized option is using Snap packages, which offer automatic updates and rollback capabilities:

1. Install the snap daemon:

sudo pacman -S snapd

2. Enable and start the snapd service:

sudo systemctl enable --now snapd.socket

3. Create a symbolic link for classic snap support:

sudo ln -s /var/lib/snapd/snap /snap

4. Log out and back in or restart your system to update paths
5. Install Microsoft Edge:

sudo snap install microsoft-edge-stable

Snap packages update automatically in the background, ensuring you always have the latest version without manual intervention.

Post-Installation Configuration

After installing Microsoft Edge, several configurations can enhance your browsing experience:

First Launch Setup

When you first launch Edge, you’ll see a welcome screen with initial settings options. You can:

• Choose to import data from another browser
• Select your default page layout
• Configure your new tab page
• Set up sync (requires additional steps on Linux)

Enabling Microsoft Account Sign-in

By default, sign-in functionality may be disabled. To enable it:

1. Type edge://flags in the address bar
2. Search for “MSA sign in”
3. Enable this experiment
4. Restart the browser

After enabling this flag, you can sign in with your Microsoft account and sync bookmarks, passwords, and settings across devices.

Setting as Default Browser

To make Edge your default browser in Manjaro:

1. Open System Settings
2. Navigate to “Default Applications”
3. Select “Web Browser”
4. Choose “Microsoft Edge” from the list

Alternatively, you can set it as default from within Edge by clicking the prompt when it appears or navigating to Settings > Default browser.

Key Features of Edge on Manjaro

Microsoft Edge on Manjaro offers most features available in the Windows version, including:

• Collections: Save and organize web content by topic
• Vertical tabs: Browse with a side tab layout for better screen utilization
• Immersive Reader: Distraction-free reading experience
• Built-in screenshot tool: Capture and annotate web pages
• Efficiency mode: Reduces resource usage when on battery
• Integration with Microsoft services: Seamless access to Office, OneDrive, and Bing

Some Windows-specific features like Windows Hello authentication are naturally unavailable on Linux. However, the core browsing experience remains consistent across platforms, making Edge a solid choice for users who work across different operating systems.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Display and Rendering Problems

Some users experience black regions or rendering issues with Edge on X.Org-based systems. This appears as black borders around the window or content not scaling properly. To fix this:

1. Create or edit the Edge flags configuration file:

nano ~/.config/microsoft-edge-stable-flags.conf

2. Add the following lines:

--disable-gpu-driver-bug-workarounds
--enable-features=UseOzonePlatform
--ozone-platform=wayland

3. Save and restart Edge

Web App Icon Issues with Wayland

If you use Edge-based web apps and their icons aren’t displaying correctly with Wayland enabled, try this fix:

1. Locate the web app’s desktop file in ~/.local/share/applications/
2. Rename the file, adding an underscore after “msedge-” in the filename
   For example:
   mv msedge-hpfldicfbfomlpcikngkocigghgafkph-Default.desktop msedge-_hpfldicfbfomlpcikngkocigghgafkph-Default.desktop

Login and Cookie Persistence Problems

If Edge doesn’t remember your login information or cookies don’t persist:

1. Check if cookies are blocked in privacy settings
2. Try clearing the browser data and logging in again
3. Ensure you’re using the stable version rather than Dev/Beta if experiencing persistent issues
4. Verify that the MSA sign-in flag is enabled as mentioned earlier

Installation Failures

For installation failures:

1. Clear pacman cache:

sudo pacman -Scc

2. Update system completely:

sudo pacman -Syu

3. Try a different installation method from those described above
4. Check for error messages and search the Manjaro forums for specific solutions

Updating Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge typically updates automatically in the background. However, you can manually trigger updates depending on your installation method:

• AUR (yay): yay -Syu microsoft-edge-stable
• Pamac: Use the graphical updater in Add/Remove Software
• Flatpak: flatpak update com.microsoft.Edge
• Snap: Updates automatically, force with sudo snap refresh microsoft-edge-stable

For system-wide updates including Edge:

sudo pacman -Syu

This command will update all your system packages, including Edge if installed through pacman-compatible methods.

Security and Privacy Considerations

Microsoft Edge offers several privacy features that work equally well on Manjaro:

1. Tracking prevention: Edge can block trackers with three settings levels:
   • Basic: Blocks malicious trackers only
   • Balanced (default): Blocks third-party trackers and known harmful trackers
   • Strict: Blocks most trackers but may break some sites
2. Configure these settings by:
   • Going to Settings (three dots menu)
   • Selecting “Privacy, search, and services”
   • Ensuring “Tracking prevention” is enabled
   • Selecting your preferred level
3. Additional privacy options include:
   • Clear browsing data on close
   • Block third-party cookies
   • Send “Do Not Track” requests

While Edge does send some telemetry to Microsoft, privacy-conscious users can disable optional data collection in the privacy settings.

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