Microsoft Edge as a Linux alternative to Microsoft Internet Explorer

Updated October 27, 2026

Our verdict

Microsoft Edge on Linux is a solid replacement for Internet Explorer for users who need modern web standards, security, and extension support. It handles most legacy sites through its Chromium engine, and it imports bookmarks and passwords from IE. It is best suited for developers, power users, and anyone who wants a secure, up‑to‑date browser. If you rely on very old IE‑specific ActiveX controls, Edge will not fully replace that functionality.

Feature parity85%

License: LicenseRef-proprietary
Price: Free
Latest version: 156.0.4314.42-1 (October 22, 2026)
Rating: —

Install Microsoft Edge Website ↗

What works the same

Both browsers run on Windows and Linux platforms
Both support bookmarking and password storage
Both can be synced across devices via a Microsoft account
Both provide private browsing modes
Both support extensions/add‑ons

What is different

Edge uses Chromium engine, IE used Trident/EdgeHTML
Edge offers built‑in tracking prevention and AdBlock Plus, IE does not
Edge supports modern HTML5/CSS3/JavaScript, IE lags behind
Edge can import IE bookmarks/passwords, IE cannot export to Edge natively
Edge requires a Microsoft account for sync, IE does not

Opening your Microsoft Internet Explorer files

IE’s proprietary .htm/.html files open fine in Edge; bookmarks and passwords can be exported from IE to a CSV or XML and imported into Edge via the import wizard. Edge does not support legacy ActiveX controls or COM objects that some old IE pages relied on, so those sites may not work as expected.

Switching from Microsoft Internet Explorer to Microsoft Edge, step by step

Export bookmarks and passwords from IE using the Import/Export wizard.
Install Microsoft Edge from Flathub or Microsoft’s repository on Linux.
Launch Edge and sign in with your Microsoft account to enable sync.
Use the Edge import tool to bring over exported data from IE.
Test legacy sites in Edge’s InPrivate mode to check compatibility.
Adjust settings for tracking prevention and privacy as needed.

Key features of Microsoft Edge

Chromium‑based engine with fast rendering
Built‑in tracking prevention and AdBlock Plus
InPrivate browsing and search
Sync across devices via Microsoft account
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen protection
Extension support from Chrome Web Store
Integrated Bing search bar
Edge DevTools for debugging

How to install Microsoft Edge on Linux

Flatpak (Flathub)flatpak install flathub com.microsoft.Edge

Frequently asked questions

Can I use Edge on Linux to view old IE‑only sites?

Most sites that only need basic HTML, CSS, and JavaScript will load fine. Sites that relied on ActiveX or COM objects will not work in Edge, as those technologies are not supported on Linux.

Does Edge import my IE bookmarks automatically?

Yes, Edge includes an import wizard that can read the bookmarks file exported from IE and add them to Edge’s bookmark list.

Will Edge sync my passwords with IE?

Edge can sync passwords across devices via a Microsoft account, but it does not automatically transfer passwords stored in IE’s local database. You need to export them from IE and then import into Edge or use a password manager that syncs across browsers.