Today we're looking at how to install Firefox ESR (Extended Support Release) on a Chromebook. This guide will walk you through the simple process of getting Mozilla's stable, long-term support version of Firefox running on your Chromebook using Linux apps (Crostini). Please follow along with the video tutorial below, where we explain each step in detail, and reference the commands provided further down this page.
Why Firefox ESR?
Firefox ESR (Extended Support Release) is specifically designed for organizations and users who need extended support for mass deployments or prefer stability over the latest features. Unlike the regular Firefox release channel, which updates every four weeks with new features, ESR receives only critical security and stability updates. Each ESR version is supported for approximately one year, making it an excellent choice for Chromebook users who want a reliable, well-tested browser without frequent feature changes.
This makes Firefox ESR particularly well-suited for Chromebooks, as it provides a stable browsing experience that complements Chrome OS's own philosophy of reliable, predictable updates.
Prerequisites
Before we begin, you'll need to ensure that Linux apps (also known as Crostini) are enabled on your Chromebook. If you haven't already set this up, don't worry—it's a straightforward process:
- Open your Chromebook's Settings
- Navigate to the "About Chrome OS" section in the left panel
- Look for the "Developers" section
- Click on "Set up" next to "Linux development environment"
- Follow the prompts to turn on Linux
The setup process may take a few minutes as Chrome OS downloads and configures the Linux container. Once complete, you'll have access to a terminal application and the ability to install Linux applications on your Chromebook.
Installation Steps
Installing Firefox ESR on your Chromebook is remarkably simple and requires just two commands. These commands use APT (Advanced Package Tool), the package management system used by Debian-based Linux distributions, which is what Chrome OS's Linux container uses under the hood.
Step 1: Update Package Repositories
First, we need to update the package repositories. This ensures that your system has the latest information about available software and their versions. Open the Terminal app from your app launcher and run:
sudo apt update
This command refreshes the local package index with the latest changes from the repositories. You may be asked to enter your Linux password if you've set one up.
Step 2: Install Firefox ESR
Once the update is complete, install Firefox ESR with the following command:
sudo apt install firefox-esr
The system will show you how much disk space will be used and ask for confirmation. Type 'y' and press Enter to proceed. The installation process will download Firefox ESR and all necessary dependencies, which may take a few minutes depending on your internet connection speed.
Launching Firefox ESR
After installation completes, you'll find Firefox ESR in your Chromebook's app launcher within the Linux apps folder. Simply click on it to launch your new browser. The first time you open Firefox ESR, it may take a moment to initialize and create your profile.
Command Reference
For easy copying and pasting, here are the commands used in this tutorial:
1) sudo apt update
2) sudo apt install firefox-esr
Additional Resources
For more information about Firefox ESR and its release cycle, visit Mozilla's official documentation:
Firefox ESR Release Cycle Information
Official Firefox Website:
https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/
Additional notes and documentation from this tutorial:
Google Doc used in the tutorial
Troubleshooting Tips
If you encounter any issues during installation, here are some common solutions:
- Installation fails: Make sure you ran the update command first. If problems persist, try running
sudo apt updateagain before attempting the installation. - Firefox won't launch: Try restarting your Chromebook's Linux container by right-clicking the Terminal app and selecting "Shut down Linux." Then reopen Terminal to restart the container.
- Performance issues: Consider allocating more resources to your Linux container in Chrome OS Settings under the Linux development environment section.
Questions or Need Help?
If you have any questions or run into any issues following this tutorial, please feel free to contact us via a YouTube comment on the video above, and we would be happy to assist you!
You might also be interested in our Chromebook Comparison and Buyers Guide or our comprehensive list of all currently supported Chromebooks with Linux Apps (Crostini) support.
Join our mailing list to be notified about all major Chromebook sales and deals.
Comments
Post a Comment