microsoft-edge

Open a specific URL or file

$ microsoft-edge [https://example.com|path/to/file.html]

$ microsoft-edge --inprivate [example.com]

$ microsoft-edge --new-window [example.com]

$ microsoft-edge --app=[https://example.com]

$ microsoft-edge --proxy-server="[socks5://hostname:66]" [example.com]

$ microsoft-edge --user-data-dir=[path/to/directory]

$ microsoft-edge --user-data-dir=[path/to/directory] --disable-web-security

$ microsoft-edge --auto-open-devtools-for-tabs

microsoft-edge [options] [URL]

--help
    Displays a list of common command-line options and their descriptions.


--version
    Shows the current version of Microsoft Edge.


--new-window
    Opens a new browser window, even if other windows are already open.


--incognito
    Launches Edge in incognito (private browsing) mode, which prevents browsing history, cookies, and site data from being saved.


--app=<URL>
    Opens the specified URL in a simplified, app-like window without the standard browser UI elements like address bar or tabs.


--profile-directory=<name>
    Specifies the user profile to use (e.g., 'Profile 1'). If the profile does not exist, a new one may be created.


--no-sandbox
    Disables the browser's sandbox security feature. Not recommended for general use due to security risks, primarily for debugging or specific environments.


--headless
    Runs Edge in headless mode, without a graphical user interface. Useful for automated testing or server-side rendering.


--proxy-server=<host:port>
    Configures Edge to use a specific proxy server for all network requests.


--user-data-dir=<path>
    Sets a custom directory for user data, including profiles, cache, and extensions, overriding the default location.


--disable-gpu
    Disables GPU hardware acceleration. Useful for troubleshooting rendering issues or on systems without proper GPU drivers.

The microsoft-edge command invokes the Microsoft Edge web browser on Linux, providing a full-featured browsing experience. Based on the Chromium open-source project, it offers strong performance, privacy features, and compatibility with a vast array of web standards and extensions. Originally developed with Microsoft's own EdgeHTML engine, it was re-engineered on Chromium in 2019 to enhance cross-platform consistency and web compatibility. On Linux, it provides a familiar interface for users accustomed to Edge on Windows or macOS, supporting features like collections, vertical tabs, and integration with Microsoft services, while also adhering to common Linux desktop conventions for application management and updates. It aims to offer a unified browsing experience across various operating systems.

As a proprietary application, Microsoft Edge on Linux differs from many native Linux tools, potentially raising concerns for users preferring open-source software. While generally performant, like all modern web browsers, it can be resource-intensive, especially with multiple tabs or extensions. Users should be aware of Microsoft's data collection policies.

Microsoft Edge is typically installed on Linux via official .deb or .rpm packages downloaded from Microsoft's website. Once installed, it integrates with the system's package manager (e.g., apt, dnf) to receive updates.

By default, Microsoft Edge stores user data (profiles, cache, extensions, etc.) in a directory like ~/.config/microsoft-edge/ within the user's home directory.

Microsoft Edge's journey on Linux began after its fundamental shift from the proprietary EdgeHTML engine to Chromium in 2019. This re-engineering paved the way for its cross-platform expansion. Development and preview builds for Linux (Canary and Dev channels) were first made available in late 2020, with a stable release following in 2021. The move aimed to provide a consistent browsing experience for enterprise users and developers across different operating systems, allowing for easier web development and deployment.

google-chrome(1), chromium-browser(1), firefox(1), xdg-open(1)