Get Microsoft Edge Chromium: Step-by-Step

This guide walks you through getting Microsoft Edge based on Chromium, the current version of the browser that replaced the old EdgeHTML edition. You will learn how to download, install, and verify that you have the right build, whether you are on Windows, macOS, or Linux. No prior technical knowledge is needed, and the process takes about five minutes.

What You’ll Need

• A computer running Windows 7 or later, macOS 10.12 or later, or a supported Linux distribution (Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, openSUSE).
• An internet connection to download the installer.
• Administrator rights on the computer to install the browser (or the ability to enter a password when prompted).

Step-by-Step

1. Open your current web browser. This can be any browser you already have, such as Firefox, Safari, or the legacy version of Edge.
2. Go to the official Microsoft Edge download page. In the address bar, type microsoft.com/edge and press Enter. This is the only official source for the Chromium-based Edge.
3. Click the download button. The page will automatically detect your operating system and offer the correct installer. For Windows, you will typically see a button that says “Download for Windows”. For macOS, it will say “Download for macOS”. For Linux, you will be offered a choice of package formats (.deb for Debian/Ubuntu, .rpm for Fedora/openSUSE).
4. Run the installer. Once the download finishes, locate the file in your Downloads folder and double-click it. On Windows, the file is usually named MicrosoftEdgeSetup.exe. On macOS, it is MicrosoftEdge.pkg. On Linux, it is a package file like microsoft-edge-stable_*.deb.
5. Follow the on-screen prompts. The installer will ask for permission to make changes to your device. Click “Yes” or “Install” when prompted. On Windows, the installation is automatic and takes about a minute. On macOS, you may need to drag the Edge icon into the Applications folder if the installer does not do it automatically. On Linux, you may need to use your package manager to install the downloaded file (for example, double-clicking the .deb file in Ubuntu will open the Software Center).
6. Launch Edge. After installation, you will see a shortcut on your desktop or in your Start menu (Windows), Applications folder (macOS), or app launcher (Linux). Click it to open the browser.
7. Complete the first-run setup. The first time you open Edge, you will be asked to choose a layout (Inspired or Focused), import data from another browser (optional), and sign in with a Microsoft account (optional but recommended for syncing). You can skip these steps if you prefer.
8. Verify you have the Chromium version. To confirm you have the new Chromium-based Edge and not the old version, click the three-dot menu (⋯) in the top-right corner, then select “Help and Feedback” and then “About Microsoft Edge”. The page that opens will show the version number and the phrase “Microsoft Edge is up to date.” If the version number is 79 or higher, you have the Chromium version. The old EdgeHTML version never had this menu structure.

Common Mistakes

• Downloading from a third-party site. Some websites offer “Edge Chromium” downloads that are actually bundled with adware or other unwanted programs. Always use the official Microsoft page.
• Confusing the new Edge with the old one. If you are on Windows 10, you might already have an Edge icon, but it could be the old version. The installation above replaces it, but if you see a blue wave logo instead of the green and blue swirl, you have the new one.
• Skipping the Linux package type. Downloading a .deb file for a Fedora system will not work and vice versa. Make sure you select the correct package for your distribution.
• Not closing the old Edge before installing. On Windows, if the old Edge is running, the installer may fail or require a reboot. Close all Edge windows before starting the setup.

Tips

• Use the built-in import tool. During first-run, Edge can import bookmarks, passwords, and history from Chrome, Firefox, or the old Edge. This saves a lot of manual work.
• Install the mobile version too. If you use a phone, install Edge from the App Store or Google Play. Your passwords and bookmarks will sync automatically if you sign in with the same Microsoft account.
• Enable “Efficiency mode” for battery life. On laptops, go to Settings > System and performance and turn on Efficiency mode to reduce resource usage.
• Use the vertical tabs feature. Click the icon that looks like two overlapping squares in the top-left corner to switch to vertical tabs, which can be easier to manage with many open pages.

Troubleshooting

• The installer does not run. If you double-click the file and nothing happens, right-click it and select “Run as administrator”. If that fails, your antivirus may be blocking it. Temporarily disable it, run the installer, then re-enable it.
• The download is very slow or fails. Try a different network or use a wired connection. You can also try downloading the offline installer from the Microsoft Edge business page (look for “Windows (offline installer)”).
• You see the old Edge after installation. On Windows, the new Edge should replace the old one automatically. If not, open the new Edge, go to Settings > Default browser, and click “Make default”. Then, go to Settings > About and check for updates.
• Linux installation fails with a dependency error. If you are on Debian/Ubuntu and the .deb file complains about missing dependencies, open a terminal and run sudo apt install -f to fix broken packages, then try again.
• Edge crashes on startup. This is rare but can happen if your profile is corrupted. Close Edge, then in your file explorer go to %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Edge\User Data (Windows) or ~/Library/Application Support/Microsoft Edge (macOS) and rename the “Default” folder to “Default.old”. Restart Edge; it will create a fresh profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Chromium-based Edge free?
A: Yes, it is completely free to download and use on all supported platforms.

Q: Will my extensions from Chrome work in Edge?
A: Most Chrome extensions work in Edge because both are based on Chromium. You can install them from the Chrome Web Store or the Microsoft Edge Add-ons store.

Q: Does the new Edge work on Windows 7?
A: Yes, Microsoft supported Edge on Windows 7 until January 2023. After that date, it no longer receives security updates on that OS, so upgrading your operating system is recommended.

Q: How is this different from the old Edge?
A: The Chromium version supports more modern web standards, offers better compatibility with websites, and allows extensions from the Chrome store. The old Edge was based on Microsoft’s own engine and had fewer features.

Q: Can I have both Chrome and Edge installed?
A: Yes, they can coexist without issues. They each have their own profiles and settings, so you can use one as your primary browser and the other for specific tasks.

Q: Do I need to uninstall the old Edge first?
A: No, the new installer handles the replacement automatically on Windows. On macOS and Linux, you can keep both versions, though it is usually best to use the new one.

Related

• Host a Remote Game Night with a Browser Golf Game
• Can’t Sign Into Google Account on Browser? Fix It
• Fix Firefox Platform Is Not Compatible Error