Microsoft Edge has evolved significantly from its early days, transforming into a powerful Chromium-based browser that offers excellent performance, privacy features, and seamless integration with Microsoft services. If you're a Chromebook user who wants to explore Edge's features—such as its vertical tabs, Collections feature, or integration with Microsoft 365—you'll be pleased to know that installing it on your Chromebook is straightforward.
This guide will walk you through the complete process of installing Microsoft Edge on your Chromebook using Linux Apps (Crostini). Whether you're new to Linux on Chrome OS or a seasoned user, we'll cover everything you need to know to get Edge up and running.
System Requirements
Before we begin, it's important to verify that your Chromebook meets the necessary requirements for this installation:
This tutorial will only work on Chromebooks with an Intel or AMD CPU that support Linux Apps (Crostini). Unfortunately, this method will not work on Chromebooks with an ARM64 architecture CPU, as Microsoft Edge does not currently offer an ARM-compatible Linux version.
You can check if your Chromebook supports Linux Apps by visiting our comprehensive list of all currently supported Chromebooks with Linux Apps (Crostini) support.
Video Tutorial
Follow along with our step-by-step video guide below, which demonstrates the entire installation process. The written instructions that follow provide additional context and details to complement the video.
Step 1: Enable Linux Apps on Your Chromebook
Linux Apps support (also known as Crostini) is a feature in Chrome OS that allows you to run Linux applications alongside your regular Chrome OS apps. Enabling this feature is the foundation for installing Microsoft Edge and many other desktop applications.
To enable Linux Apps:
- Open your Chromebook's Settings by clicking the system tray in the bottom-right corner and selecting the gear icon
- In the left sidebar, click on Advanced to expand the advanced settings menu
- Click on the Developers section
- Find the option labeled "Linux development environment" and click Turn On
- Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup. This process will download and configure a Linux container on your Chromebook, which typically takes a few minutes depending on your internet connection
Once the installation completes, you'll have access to a Linux terminal and the ability to install Linux applications. A new "Linux apps" folder will also appear in your app launcher.
Step 2: Download Microsoft Edge
With Linux Apps enabled, you're now ready to download the Microsoft Edge installer.
Visit the official Microsoft Edge download page:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge
On the download page:
- Click the Download button
- Select Linux as your operating system
- Choose the .deb package format (this is the correct format for Chrome OS Linux Apps)
- Click Accept and download
The .deb file will download to your Chromebook's Downloads folder. This Debian package format is specifically designed for Debian-based Linux distributions, which is what Chrome OS's Linux container uses under the hood.
Step 3: Install Microsoft Edge
Now that you've downloaded the installer, it's time to install Microsoft Edge:
- Open the Files app on your Chromebook
- Navigate to your Downloads folder
- Locate the Microsoft Edge .deb file you just downloaded (it will be named something like "microsoft-edge-stable_xxx_amd64.deb")
- Double-click on the .deb file
- A installation dialog will appear. Click Install to begin the installation process
- Wait for the installation to complete. This usually takes less than a minute
Chrome OS will automatically handle the installation of the .deb package through its built-in Linux container. You'll see a progress indicator as the installation proceeds.
Step 4: Launch Microsoft Edge
Once the installation is complete, you can launch Microsoft Edge:
- Click the Launcher icon (circle) in the bottom-left corner of your screen
- Scroll down to the Linux apps folder
- Click on the Microsoft Edge icon
The first time you launch Edge, it may take a few extra seconds to start as it performs initial setup tasks. You'll be greeted with the Edge welcome screen, where you can sign in with your Microsoft account, customize your settings, and import data from other browsers if desired.
Why Use Microsoft Edge on a Chromebook?
You might wonder why you'd want to use Microsoft Edge when Chrome OS already includes Google Chrome. Here are some compelling reasons:
- Microsoft 365 Integration: If you use Microsoft 365 services like Outlook, OneDrive, or Office Online, Edge provides enhanced integration and features
- Vertical Tabs: Edge's vertical tab feature is excellent for managing many open tabs, especially on smaller screens
- Collections: This feature helps you organize research and content for projects more effectively than traditional bookmarks
- Performance: Edge is built on Chromium (the same base as Chrome) but includes Microsoft's performance optimizations
- Privacy Features: Edge includes tracking prevention and other privacy tools that some users prefer
- Testing and Development: Web developers may want to test their sites across different browsers
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you encounter any problems during installation or use, here are some common solutions:
Installation fails or won't start: Make sure your Chromebook is fully updated to the latest version of Chrome OS. Go to Settings > About Chrome OS > Check for updates.
Edge won't launch: Try restarting the Linux container by right-clicking on the Terminal app in your app launcher and selecting "Shut down Linux." Then try launching Edge again, which will restart the container.
Performance issues: Linux apps on Chrome OS use shared resources. If Edge is running slowly, try closing other applications and browser tabs. You can also allocate more disk space to Linux in Settings > Advanced > Developers > Linux development environment.
Audio or video problems: Ensure that your Chrome OS is updated, as audio and video support for Linux apps has improved significantly in recent updates.
Keeping Microsoft Edge Updated
Microsoft Edge will automatically check for updates when you launch it. However, you can also manually update it through the Linux terminal if needed. The Edge installer adds Microsoft's repository to your system, so updates will be available through the standard Linux update process.
To manually check for updates, open the Linux Terminal app and run:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
This will update all your Linux apps, including Microsoft Edge, to their latest versions.
Final Thoughts
Installing Microsoft Edge on your Chromebook opens up new possibilities for productivity and web browsing. The process is straightforward thanks to Chrome OS's excellent Linux Apps support, and once installed, Edge runs as smoothly as any native Chrome OS application.
If you have any questions about this process or run into any issues, please feel free to contact us via a YouTube comment on the video above, and we would be happy to assist you!
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