Microsoft Edge Browser for Linux

How to install Microsoft Edge Browser for Linux

Language English

Microsoft Edge Browser for Linux.

The browser is based upon Chromium and was first released for Windows users in 2015, then two years later versions for Android and iOS was released. It took Microsoft five ( 5 ) years to release a Linux version.

Note: As of August 2022, Edge is used by 15 percent of PCs worldwide.

What Windows users primary don't read are the fineprint, but it also applies to Linux users wanting to use this browser:

Using Microsoft Edge, diagnostic data about how you use features is sent to Microsoft. Microsoft Edge saves your browsing history—information about websites you visit—on your device. Depending on your settings, this browsing history is sent to Microsoft.

The Microsoft Edge web platform will send info about how you use the web platform and sites you visit in the application to Microsoft.

When you use InPrivate browsing or guest mode, Microsoft Edge collects some info about how you use the browser.

Microsoft Edge will delete your browsing history, cookies, and site data, as well as passwords, addresses, and form data when you close all InPrivate windows. But it won't matter since the data is already transferred to their servers. LOL.

If you’ve turned on sync for form fill like addresses or passwords, this info will be sent to the Microsoft cloud and stored with your Microsoft account to be synced across all your signed-in versions of Microsoft Edge.

To clear browsing history collected by Microsoft: sign in to your account at account.microsoft.com.

Tested on Debian 11 "Bullseye" and LMDE5.

How to install Edge browser:

First download the Edge browser here.

Read the license terms before you download! If you accept the terms, click the blue button and download the .deb-package.

Open a terminal window:

cd Downloads

Press Enter.

sudo dpkg -i microsoft-edge-stable_104.0.1293.63-1_amd64.deb

Press Enter.

First on their agenda is collecting your data:

I recommend un-checking it and then proceed, by clicking on the button.

During installation Microsofts repository to your system, so every time there is an update available it will appear in the Update Manager. However, just like Skype, there is no Changelog available.

Next you will be presented with setting up your TAB page.

Choose on of the three or click on X.

Next, they want you to login to sync your devices sharing passwords etc. I do recommend skipping this !

After this you could choose one of the colored themes.

Next time you decide to use EDGE browser, you will see how they incorporate News and weather of your current location.

Now let us move on to the settings, to see how private this browser can be:

Page Settings:

If you click the Page Settings Wheel symbol you choose different languages, they support many.

They will show promoted links, like Office, Ebay, Booking.com and others. I recommend turning this off in Page Settings.

You can also change the background from "Image off the day" to Off, an image of your choice, custom theme or even video. I recommend OFF.

Show Greeting: Set it to OFF.

Content: Are set to headings only, but I recommend you set it to: Content OFF.

Now we are done in Page Settings, close X.

Next find Settings on the top right corner three dots ...

As you can see they have added: Apps, Collections and Microsoft Rewards.

Collections:

Collections is enabled by default and it aims to reduce the clutter and confusion of multiple tabs, bookmarks and note-taking tools. I recommend you disable it.

Microsoft Rewards:

Earn Microsoft Rewards in Microsoft Edge is activated by default in Settings.

Level 1 members earn up to 5 points a day, 150 points a month, when searching Bing in Microsoft Edge on PC or mobile. Level 2 members earn up to 20 points a day, 600 points a month, when searching Bing in Microsoft Edge on PC or mobile.

Earn points when you search on Bing.com and buy things from the Microsoft Store online.

Basically you get rewarded for sharing your data, which is then sold to third parties and you need to be logged in at all times !

I recommend you turn this off, restart the browser for it to take effect!

WARNING IMPORTANT ! iT IS ACTIVATED AFTER RESTART !

Settings Page:

Settings/Profiles:

Personal info:

Also saves phone numbers, email addresses and delivery addresses. Activated by default.

Add custom info you'd want Microsoft Edge to fill for you, like passport numbers or account number. Activated by default.

Allow Microsoft Edge to save your passwords and help keep them secure. Activated by default.

Offer to save cards and automatically fill out payment details. Activated by default.

Have all your credentials saved in Microsoft Edge: Import your browser data from other browsers and password managers. Not activated by default ???

Allow single sign-on for work or school sites using this profile: If this setting is on, you’ll be able to access work or school sites on this device using this profile. If this setting is off, you’ll need to switch to your work or school account profile to use single sign-on. Activated by default.

Settings/Privacy/Searches and Services:

Tracking prevention: Set to Balanced.

Settings/Apparence:

Choose a colored theme.

Settings/Start,Home and new Tabs:

Add your preferred search engine or site.

Settings/Cookies and site permissions:

Location, Camera, Microphone, Motion or light sensors etc are all set to "Ask first". I recommend block all of these.

Javascript is set to Allowed by default, should be an option to ask first. Look for a NoScript alternative plugin.

Pop-ups and redirects: Blocked by default

Ads: Blocked by default

Allow recently closed sites to finish sending and receiving data (recommended). Activated by default.

Ask when a site wants to access USB devices (recommended). Activated by default. I recommend turn this off.

Ask when a site wants to access serial ports (recommended). Activated by default. I recommend turn this off.

Ask when a site wants to edit files or folders on your device (recommended). Activated by default. I recommend turn this off.

Ask when a site wants to see text and images copied to the clipboard (recommended). Activated by default. I recommend turn this off.

Allow sites to install payment handlers (recommended). Activated by default. I recommend turn this off.

Control if audio and video play automatically on sites: Set to Limit
Media will play depending on how you've visited the page and whether you interacted with media in the past. Refresh the page to see changes to this setting.

Site permissions/Insecure content: Can add sites here.

Site permissions/Application links. Ask when a site wants to use your virtual reality devices and data (recommended). Activated by default. I recommend turn this off.

Site permissions/Application links. Ask when a site wants to create a 3D map of your surroundings or track camera position (recommended). Activated by default. I recommend turn this off.

Site permissions/Application links. Allows apps to automatically open when launched from a link. All other apps will ask for permission before opening.

Default browser: Your choice.

Downloads:

Open Office files in the browser:If this setting is on, Office files (presentations, spreadsheets, documents) will open automatically in Microsoft Edge instead of downloading to your device.

Ask me what to do with each download: Recommended you leave activated !

Family safety:

See your child's device use with activity reports. See what websites your kids are visiting on Microsoft Edge, and what they search for on Bing.
Set up content filters on your child's devices. Keep bad stuff away by filtering out inappropriate websites on Microsoft Edge, and searches on Bing.
Peace of mind across devices. Sign in with a Microsoft account to get every setting to work across Windows, Xbox, and Android.
Not all features available for Linux users.

Languages:

Nothing special.

Printers:

Nothing special.

System and performance:

Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed. Activated by default. I recommend turn this off.

Optimize Performance:

Turn on efficiency mode: Helps improve power usage by saving computer resources (CPU usage). Benefits may vary depending on your device, applications, and individual browser habits.

Save resources with sleeping tabs: When this is on, inactive tabs will go to sleep after a specified time to save system resources.

Fade sleeping tabs: Tabs will appear faded when saving memory and CPU to improve performance. Activated by default.

Never put these sites to sleep: This also excludes sites from other performance optimizations like discarded tabs, efficiency mode, and more.

Developer Tools: F12

Reset Settings:

Nothing special.

Phone and other devices:

Set up your phone and other devices: Sign in to Microsoft Edge and turn on sync to see your info across your computer, phone, and other devices. Not recommended !

IMPORTANT ! AFTER YET ANOTHER RESTART, THE SELECTED SETTINGS WENT INTO EFFECT !