How To Install Vivaldi Browser on Fedora 42

In this tutorial, we will show you how to install Vivaldi Browser on Fedora 42. Vivaldi browser stands as one of the most customizable and feature-rich web browsers available for Linux users today. With Fedora 42’s cutting-edge environment, pairing it with Vivaldi creates a powerful browsing experience tailored to your exact preferences. This comprehensive guide will walk you through multiple installation methods, configuration options, and optimization techniques to get the most out of Vivaldi on your Fedora 42 system.

Understanding Vivaldi Browser

Vivaldi is a highly customizable web browser built on the Chromium engine, created by former Opera co-founder Jon von Tetzchner. Unlike mainstream browsers that prioritize simplicity, Vivaldi embraces complexity and customization, giving users unprecedented control over their browsing experience.

The browser comes in two main variants: the stable version recommended for daily use, and the snapshot (preview) builds for those who want to test cutting-edge features before they’re officially released. Vivaldi’s standout features include advanced tab management with tab stacking and tiling, built-in note-taking, customizable keyboard shortcuts, and a highly adaptable user interface.

What truly sets Vivaldi apart is its philosophy of putting user control first. Rather than stripping features away, Vivaldi continually adds tools that enhance productivity while maintaining privacy and security. This approach aligns perfectly with Fedora’s commitment to providing cutting-edge open-source technology.

Preparing Your Fedora 42 System

Before installing Vivaldi, it’s essential to update your Fedora system to ensure compatibility and minimize potential issues. Open your terminal and run:

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

This command updates all installed packages and refreshes the repository metadata. Depending on when you last updated, this process might take several minutes to complete.

While Vivaldi doesn’t have demanding system requirements, ensuring you have at least 1GB of RAM and 200MB of free disk space will help guarantee smooth performance. It’s also good practice to close resource-intensive applications before beginning the installation.

Method 1: Installing Vivaldi from Official Repository

The most reliable method for installing Vivaldi on Fedora 42 is through its official repository. This approach ensures you receive automatic updates and the most secure installation process.

Adding the Vivaldi Repository

Open your terminal and execute the following command to add the Vivaldi repository to your system:

sudo dnf config-manager --add-repo https://repo.vivaldi.com/stable/vivaldi-fedora.repo

This command adds the official Vivaldi repository to your DNF configuration, allowing your package manager to access Vivaldi packages directly from the source.

Installing the Stable Version

With the repository configured, install the stable version of Vivaldi using:

sudo dnf install vivaldi-stable

DNF will resolve dependencies and prompt you to confirm the installation. Type ‘y’ and press Enter to proceed. Once completed, verify the installation by checking the version:

vivaldi --version

Installing the Snapshot Version (Optional)

If you prefer the latest features and are comfortable with potential instability, you can install the snapshot version instead:

sudo dnf install vivaldi-snapshot

Verify the snapshot installation with:

vivaldi-snapshot --version

You can have both versions installed simultaneously without conflicts, giving you the flexibility to use the stable version for important work while experimenting with new features in the snapshot build.

Handling Repository Duplication Issues

Some users might encounter a warning stating “Repository vivaldi is listed more than once in the configuration” when running DNF commands. This occurs when the repository has been added multiple times and, while not harmful, can be annoying.

To fix this issue, check for duplicate repository files:

ls -la /etc/yum.repos.d/ | grep vivaldi

If multiple files appear, remove the duplicates while keeping one:

sudo rm /etc/yum.repos.d/duplicate-filename.repo

Then clean your DNF cache and update:

sudo dnf clean all
sudo dnf update

Method 2: Installing Vivaldi Using RPM Package

If you prefer more control over the installation process or are experiencing issues with the repository method, you can download and install the RPM package manually.

Downloading the RPM Package

Visit the official Vivaldi website (vivaldi.com/download) and download the RPM package for Fedora. Alternatively, download directly from the terminal:

wget https://downloads.vivaldi.com/stable/vivaldi-stable-x86_64.rpm

Installing Dependencies

Ensure necessary dependencies are installed before proceeding:

sudo dnf install libXScrnSaver GConf2

These libraries are required for Vivaldi to function properly on your Fedora system.

Installing the RPM Package

Install the downloaded package using DNF:

sudo dnf install ./vivaldi-stable-x86_64.rpm

Replace the filename with the actual name of your downloaded file. Verify the installation with:

vivaldi --version

The primary advantage of this method is that it allows installing specific versions of Vivaldi, which can be useful for testing or if you need to maintain compatibility with certain extensions. However, you won’t receive automatic updates through your package manager, requiring manual downloads of new versions as they’re released.

Method 3: Installing on Fedora Atomic Desktops

Fedora Atomic variants like Silverblue and Kinoite use immutable file systems that require different installation approaches. For these systems, specialized installation scripts provide the best experience.

Using Interactive Installation Scripts

For Atomic Desktop environments, you can use an interactive script that handles the complexities of integrating Vivaldi with the immutable system design:

bash <(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/community-scripts/fedora-atomic-browsers/main/install.sh)

This script will guide you through options to install different versions of Vivaldi, including stable, beta, or nightly builds. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete your selection.

After installation completes, you’ll need to reboot your system to apply the changes:

systemctl reboot

Upon restarting, verify that Vivaldi appears in your application menu. You can also check the installation status with:

rpm-ostree status | grep vivaldi

Troubleshooting Common Installation Issues

Even with careful execution, you might encounter issues during installation. Here are solutions to common problems:

Fixing GPG Key Verification Failures

If you see GPG key verification errors, import the Vivaldi signing key:

sudo rpm --import https://repo.vivaldi.com/archive/linux_signing_key.pub

Then try the installation again.

Resolving Dependency Problems

For dependency-related errors, update your system and try installing the problematic dependencies manually:

sudo dnf install [dependency-name]

In more complex cases, you can use the `–allowerasing` flag, but use this with caution as it might remove existing packages:

sudo dnf install vivaldi-stable --allowerasing

Addressing Network-Related Failures

If you experience network errors during installation, check your internet connection and try again. For persistent network issues, consider using the RPM installation method, which requires downloading the package only once.

Post-Installation Configuration

After successfully installing Vivaldi, proper configuration will enhance your browsing experience significantly.

First-Time Setup

When first launching Vivaldi, you’ll go through an initial setup that helps configure basic settings:

• Choose your default search engine
• Decide whether to import data from other browsers
• Select your preferred theme
• Configure privacy settings

These choices create the foundation for your Vivaldi experience but can be modified later through Settings.

Customizing the User Interface

Vivaldi’s standout feature is its highly customizable interface. Access Settings via the gear icon in the bottom-left corner to:

• Experiment with different themes or create your own
• Adjust tab bar position (top, bottom, left, or right)
• Configure the address bar elements
• Enable or disable status bar and customize its information
• Set up web panels for quick access to frequently used sites

The browser’s flexibility allows you to create a workspace perfectly tailored to your workflow.

Setting Up Privacy and Security

Vivaldi includes robust privacy features that you can configure to match your security preferences:

• Set tracking protection level (Basic, Balanced, or Strict)
• Manage cookie settings and site permissions
• Enable the built-in ad blocker and customize its rules
• Configure encrypted DNS providers
• Set up automatic deletion of browsing data

These settings help protect your privacy without sacrificing functionality.

Enhancing Your Vivaldi Experience

While Vivaldi is feature-rich out of the box, you can further enhance it with extensions and optimizations.

Essential Extensions

Consider these Chrome Web Store extensions to complement Vivaldi’s native features:

• uBlock Origin for advanced content blocking
• Bitwarden or KeePassXC for password management
• Dark Reader for site-wide dark mode
• Privacy Badger for automatic tracker blocking
• Grammarly for writing assistance

To install extensions, visit the Chrome Web Store within Vivaldi and add them to your browser.

Advanced Features Worth Enabling

Explore these powerful features that aren’t enabled by default:

• Command chains for executing multiple actions with a single shortcut
• Mouse gestures for navigation without clicking buttons
• Periodic tab reloading for automatically refreshing content
• Tab tiling to view multiple websites simultaneously
• Break mode to pause browsing temporarily

These features can dramatically improve your productivity and browsing efficiency.

Fedora-Specific Optimizations

To better integrate Vivaldi with your Fedora 42 environment:

• Configure Vivaldi to use the system title bar for consistent appearance
• Enable system notifications for browser alerts
• Set Vivaldi as your default browser through Fedora’s system settings
• Configure media keys to control playback

These adjustments help Vivaldi feel like a natural part of your Fedora desktop rather than a separate application.

Keeping Vivaldi Updated

Maintaining an updated browser is crucial for security and accessing new features. The update process varies depending on your installation method.

Updates via DNF

If you installed Vivaldi using the repository method, updates come through DNF:

sudo dnf upgrade vivaldi-stable

Or include Vivaldi in your regular system updates:

sudo dnf upgrade

Updating Snapshot Builds

For snapshot versions, the process is similar but updates are more frequent:

sudo dnf upgrade vivaldi-snapshot

Snapshot builds may update multiple times weekly, providing early access to new features but potentially introducing temporary issues.

Comparing Performance on Fedora 42

When deciding between Vivaldi and Firefox (Fedora’s default browser), consider these performance aspects:

Vivaldi typically uses more memory than Firefox, particularly with many tabs open, though its tab hibernation feature can mitigate this. For CPU usage, both browsers perform similarly for general browsing.

Firefox launches faster from a cold start, but once running, Vivaldi’s performance is comparable for most web tasks. Firefox has better native integration with Fedora’s desktop environments, though Vivaldi’s customizability allows it to adapt well to any desktop environment.

Choose Vivaldi when you need extensive customization, complex tab management, or specialized browsing workflows. Firefox remains preferable when resource efficiency is paramount or when maximum integration with the Fedora desktop is desired.

Uninstalling Vivaldi (if needed)

If you need to remove Vivaldi from your system, follow these steps based on your installation method:

Removing Repository-Installed Vivaldi

sudo dnf remove vivaldi-stable

To remove the repository configuration:

sudo rm /etc/yum.repos.d/vivaldi-fedora.repo

Cleaning Up Residual Files

After uninstalling, remove user-specific settings and cached data:

rm -rf ~/.config/vivaldi
rm -rf ~/.cache/vivaldi

Skip these cleanup steps if you plan to reinstall Vivaldi later and want to preserve your settings.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Vivaldi. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing the Vivaldi Browser on your Fedora 42 Linux system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official Vivaldi website.