Microsoft Edge Dev is now available for testing in an unofficial Flatpak beta. The project is described in this Github repository.

The project wraps the official deb version of Edge-Linux Dev using Extra-Data, a common method of making proprietary packages available on Flatpak without distributing or redistributing the underlying application (e.g. Microsoft Teams and/or Zoom).

I am not affiliated with or contributing to the project.

I installed the Flatpak beta and the current Dev build of Microsoft Edge (microsoft-edge-dev_91.0.825.0-1_amd64.deb) on one of my Solus computers this morning. It appears to be working fine, indistinguishable from the identical Edge Dev build installed on a Ubuntu 20.10 computer I built for the specific purpose of testing Edge-Linux.

If any of you want to test Microsoft Edge using the unofficial Flatpak beta:

(1) Check to see that Flatpak is installed (it should be, unless you removed it).

(2) Install the Flathub BETA repository via the terminal, using these commands:
flatpak remote-add flathub-beta https://flathub.org/beta-repo/flathub-beta.flatpakrepo
flatpak install flathub-beta org.godotengine.Godot

(3) Install Microsoft Edge via the terminal, using this command:
flatpak install com.microsoft.Edge

brent I like it.

The Chromium-based version of Edge is now the default browser in Windows 7-8-10 (the older version of Edge has been (or shortly will be, as Windows users update) removed, as has Internet Explorer), so everyone and their dog using Windows is using the Chromium-based version of Edge.

At this point, after two years of development and testing, Edge is stable and mature in the Windows environment. That's not yet the case with Edge-Linux, though. Basic functionality, such as the ability to sign into a Microsoft account or sync between devices are not yet available in Edge-Linux, but otherwise it is hard to tell the difference between Edge-Windows and Edge-Linux.

Edge is very fast and resource light in comparison to Chrome, and (for me a core threshold) completely un-Googled. Microsoft has been adding features/functions (Collections, left-side Vertical Tabs, and so on) unavailable in Chrome, and Microsoft seems to be making a serious effort to make Edge a better browser than Chrome. The UI is reasonably traditional, more like Firefox than, say, Vivaldi. Because I've been a Firefox user for well over a decade, the adjustment was minor.

I've yet to encounter any serious issues using Edge Stable in Windows 10.

I have basic disagreements with some design decisions (for example, unlike the older version Edge and Firefox, favorites/bookmarks are not static nested lists, but instead, like Chrome, flyouts that rapidly develop into Whack-a-Mole nightmares) but all in all, Edge seems to be a robust and modern browser.

I'm not sure whether or not I'll eventually make Edge my primary browser. I'm currently using Firefox on Linux and Edge on Windows, keeping a common set of about 25 favorites/bookmarks in each, but diverging into Windows-related favorites on Edge and Linux-related bookmarks on Firefox. I've gotten used to that, and I might keep things the way they now are indefinitely. I use both on my iPhone.

Edge has developed well beyond my geezer needs at this point, and I sometimes grumble that browser development seems to be dominated by hyperactive, over-caffeinated twenty-somethings, but those younger people are future, for good or ill.

But all in all, despite Microsoft's (to me, senseless) addiction to flyouts and other bright, shiny bits of bling, the browser is excellent, both in terms of performance and usability.

      tomscharbach Edge has developed well beyond my geezer needs at this point, and I sometimes grumble that browser development seems to be dominated by hyperactive, over-caffeinated twenty-somethings, but those younger people are future, for good or ill.

      Get off my lawn I scream to those bearded hipsters😉.

      Very clear reply especially understanding the little things about it and it's strengths and Linux limitations---thank you.

      I didn't even know Explorer had been deprecated--I thought that clunky browser would stubbornly persevere another hundred years..

          brent I didn't even know Explorer had been deprecated--I thought that clunky browser would stubbornly persevere another hundred years.

          IE was like a old wheezing horse on the threshold of the glue factory -- too tough to die, too big to move and not worth the cost of a bullet.

          Microsoft developed something called IE Mode, which opens IE pages in Edge, in some kind of sandbox. Don't ask me how it works.

          brent Get off my lawn I scream to those bearded hipsters

          Naaaw. Just pull the 1977 Buick Electra out of the garage and go after them at 15 mph.

          brent strengths and Linux limitations

          Microsoft says that sign-in, sync and other features not yet available in Linux builds are coming in future releases, but, well, talk about 15 mph. My guess is that the Linux team is small and not well resourced.

                  tomscharbach Thanks for indulging me. While I loathe proprietary apps, I am a realist to know that I can't live without some either. With an employer I have a Outlook/sync/live account, so Edge would be no use to me unless their linux devs bring it up to 40mph...
                  ...that said I want to experiment with compartmentalization within browsers. I have a professional google acct life with one employer--so I might need a chrome derivative to keep what is google's, google's.. And the MS accounts with another-hand it off to Edge--same principle. (Spitballing right now). Currently Firefox does all my heavy lifting and the browser is freakishly unique (when I visit amiunique.com and others) because my settings are strict.
                  Oh, yeah, and if it's shiny and new I always want to try it out.
                  Hope you got to chase some bearded beatniks in your Buick, and thanks for the great reply.

                      brent

                      brent With an employer I have a Outlook/sync/live account, so Edge would be no use to me unless their linux devs bring it up to 40mph...

                      Me too.

                      I have absolutely no idea why Microsoft is having so much trouble getting MSA sign-in and sync up and running in Edge-Linux. It took forever for Microsoft to get sign-in and sync working on MacOS, too, as I recall. Obviously, Microsoft can't go to Stable until the issue is resolved, implemented and tested.

                            tomscharbach

                            If Microsoft wanted these features up and running it wouldn't be a problem. I think much of the reason it hasn't been is because Microsoft wants to get people excited about the possibility of it working and use it as bait to lure people back to Windows.

                            I've looked at the Edge release on MXLinux a few months ago. It was awesome then so I can only imagine it will be even better currently.

                            However my personal choice is to run Vivaldi. It is an incredibly powerful browser designed for power users. I was able to use the built-in Vivaldi Notes and Screenshot features to stop using OneNote. Every Chromium-based extension is available (and everyone I tried has been fully functional) but the number of extensions I required is greatly reduce because of the built in functionality of the browser (built-in hibernation, all of the tab features, double tab bars, tab stacking, and on and on)

                            When I finally migrated fully away from Microsoft my life genuinely because a better place. I was much less stressed out and felt more in control of my computer usage and didn't worry about all of the massive vulnerabilities. Just because Microsoft isn't Google doesn't mean they should be considered a good choice to replace them. It is hard to get rid of Big Tech though.. I myself was looking for a replacement for Google Photos and thought "Oh yes! Amazon Drive & Photos.. it's free storage with my Amazon Prime Account!" But in the end moving from one Big Tech company to another doesn't really stop the problem. With the recent news that Google will end access to their API by 3rd-party Chromium browsers I believe most of them will be considered "UnGoogle" after this happens in April.

                            Just so you know it is also possible to run Windows in a VM using Gnome Boxes and I was able to get the VM completely registered so it functions like a fully functional Windows OS. It's a little slow on my laptop but I have seen it on a Desktop and it was much faster even without Passthrough.

                                jrsilvey

                                jrsilvey If Microsoft wanted these features up and running it wouldn't be a problem.

                                I agree that Microsoft could resolve the issues if Microsoft put enough resources into MSA sign-in and sync, but I don't underestimate the complexity of the problem, either. Microsoft is migrating to a single cross/multi-platform, multi-application form of authentication, and that migration involves issues above and beyond browser sign-in and sync. My guess -- and it is only that -- is that getting authentication up and running in Linux requires resources outside the Edge development team, and that is the hang.

                                jrsilvey I think much of the reason it hasn't been is because Microsoft wants to get people excited about the possibility of it working and use it as bait to lure people back to Windows.

                                My guess is that Edge-Linux development is aimed directly at meeting the needs of Enterprise customers, almost all of which insist on a standardized browsing platform internally, and many of which support dual Windows/Linux environments. As I see things, that's why Microsoft develops/supports Linux products for Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, and openSUSE (the distros used by Enterprise customers, for the most part) and not much beyond. Edge-Linux is just another stick on the Enterprise wood pile.

                                jrsilvey When I finally migrated fully away from Microsoft my life genuinely because a better place. I was much less stressed out and felt more in control of my computer usage and didn't worry about all of the massive vulnerabilities.

                                A year or two ago, I used Windows/Solus at a 70/30 ratio, roughly, and now the ratio has reversed. Left to my own devices, I would probably migrate entirely at some point.

                                I don't think that I'll be able to migrate fully away from Windows, though, because I'm the on-call geek for a dozen or two geezer friends using Windows. Using Windows within a VM probably won't be sufficient to deal with the problems that come up.

                                I'm of two minds about Windows versus Linux.

                                Windows is a ginormous mess, obviously, and it got that way by trying to be too many things to too many customers (consumer and Enterprise). Windows reminds me of that old Dolly Parton line about trying to put 10 pounds of sugar into a 5 pound sack.

                                But Linux, commanding an almost non-existent share of the desktop market, has serious driver problems and often requires tinker-knowledge that goes well beyond the capabilities of most users. In that respect, Linux reminds me of Windows in the XP days -- while it is possible to get almost anything to work, it often isn't easy.

                                However, within the limitations of Linux, Solus Budgie is a near-perfect desktop OS. It is focused on the desktop and doesn't try to be a "one size fits all" Linux solution like so many of the "majors". It is clean and quick, simple and intuitive, with a good mix of intelligently curated applications and just enough user control to allow users to customize without falling into the abyss. The team has done a tremendous job and continues to do so. I'm looking forward to the day when Solus affiliates with a non-profit so I can lend financial support.

                                jrsilvey Just because Microsoft isn't Google doesn't mean they should be considered a good choice to replace them.

                                I agree with you. I avoid the Microsoft ecosystem as much as reasonably possible, using FOSS and avoiding Microsoft subscription services in general.

                                jrsilvey With the recent news that Google will end access to their API by 3rd-party Chromium browsers I believe most of them will be considered "UnGoogle" after this happens in April.

                                Google's move baffles me. I wonder if Google is betting that so many users are now locked into the Google ecosystem that Google can force market share by disabling access to anything outside the ecosystem. Microsoft tried muscle years back, and it didn't work out for them. If that's what Google is up to, I don't think it will work any better.

                                              I have used MS Edge on my Solus some times already. You could download package from MS and run directly. So far I found no problem 🙂.
                                              Note: The update script i steal the idea from other guy used to update VS Code which i forgot his name

                                                minh

                                                minh I have used MS Edge on my Solus some times already. You could download package from MS and run directly. So far I found no problem.

                                                As you have, quite a number have reported using "roll-your-own" methods to install Edge for testing.

                                                Most users interested in Edge, though, are looking for is a way to use Edge on Solus that is 100% legal, "just works" and doesn't entangle them in self-maintenance.

                                                Solus will not be developing an eopkg because Edge-Linux is not freely distributable and Solus is not accepting new software for the Third Party repo (see Microsoft Edge (linux ver)). Given that, the only practical solution is a community-maintained Flapak or (eventually) a Microsoft-maintained Snap.

                                                    There is one little thing that I find really weird:
                                                    When I decide to run linux on my computer one of the MAIN reasons is to get rid of Microsoft and regain control over my computer and how I use it.
                                                    Why on earth do linux people's mouths get all watery when MS starts offering software built to be used on linux machines?
                                                    My first reaction would be to be very, very suspicious!
                                                    Come on, it cannot be those milliseconds that you think Edge will be quicker than other major browsers, can it?

                                                    And, tomscharbach, your generalising description of Linux I find rather difficult:
                                                    "But Linux, commanding an almost non-existent share of the desktop market, has serious driver problems and often requires tinker-knowledge that goes well beyond the capabilities of most users. In that respect, Linux reminds me of Windows in the XP days -- while it is possible to get almost anything to work, it often isn't easy."

                                                    The days of "terminal only" and "tinker-knowledge" are long gone by, for the everyday user at least (thank God!):
                                                    You could very well use a linux system on your computer and not need the terminal at all, there is an abundance of linux operating systems out there that made just that: The "terminal only" approach superfluous.
                                                    And, I can understand your argument "linux has serious driver problems" - but what kind of users are you talking about?
                                                    If you always want to use the latest cutting-edge technology - fine, then you might find driver problems in linux.
                                                    But the way you generalise linux as a whole is going a little too far, I find. And, to be fair: You get a lot of driver problems in Windows, too. And you get even more problems running Windows on your computer if you're not a tinkerer and want to get rid of those first problems by searching the internet and downloading stuff, ha ha ha...

                                                    The amount of time I spent on repairing, on maintaining and keeping Windows afloat was just too much (and still is, even nowadays!). I got so fed up with the amount of time wasted by doing all of that before I could start using my computer for what I needed it for that I decided to get rid of MS altogether. That was my main reason to switch to linux.
                                                    Everybody went: "Oh no, not linux, all those commands you will have to know, isn't linux for IT professionals only?"
                                                    I just asked them how much time they had wasted watching those update orgies hi-jacking their computer.
                                                    Or how much money they had spent on anti-virus software. That would slow it down. And bloat it.
                                                    Or how fast their computer was after a few years of running Windows on it.
                                                    I don't understand your argument even less, tomscharbach, if you then turn around to hail Solus as a near-perfect desktop OS (which it is, damn it!).
                                                    Isn't linux and FOSS about freedom? About choice? About NOT getting hi-jacked when using a computer - a computer for the home user type of guy or gal, because that's what we're talking about here (this is the Solus forum after all). I thought it was.
                                                    And Solus is indeed a near-perfect example of what that thing called linux can do for those types of guys and gals:
                                                    Provide the means for organising and running your digital life even if you're NOT an IT professional.
                                                    To be honest:
                                                    Even though I am one of those average types of guys needing to use a computer I am interested what might make Edge for Linux a better browser. But it will never get installed on my main machine. No way it will.

                                                          SOLUSfiddler The amount of time I spent on repairing, on maintaining and keeping Windows afloat was just too much (and still is, even nowadays!). I got so fed up with the amount of time wasted by doing all of that before I could start using my computer for what I needed it for that I decided to get rid of MS altogether. That was my main reason to switch to linux.

                                                          I never forgot ....love this FOSS reply. Don't forget the amt of time fortifying its security every single day, and how the "update orgies" would nullify all your registry and policy and service tweaks. And how in pursuit of software to fortify it, you let more scam artists in with false positives from the bugs they created. Etc forever.

                                                          But the Edge browser? If I have to do MS stuff on an MS product, and I have to do google stuff on a google product, then no one on either knows I'm on a strict firefox reading Solus, or NFL draft news, or stuff like how to restore a brass chair, or general research, or the newest data about Colony Collapse Disorder, or buying the ms. brent a unique gift on Etsy--then I may not have to worry about those devils always looking over my shoulder. It's a working theory...I have not implemented it yet.
                                                          Rock on🙂.

                                                            SOLUSfiddler When I was a boy growing up in the US in the 1950's, Ford versus Chevy was a topic of intense debate among both boys and men. The Ford camp and the Chevy camp each were fiercely loyal to their brands, and the fan club for each brand disparaged the other brand. Looking back, it was mostly nonsense. Neither brand was better than the other, and neither manufactured cars and trucks nearly as good as the most basic cars and trucks manufactured today.

                                                            As an adult, I witnessed equally heated debates about IBM as400 versus Unix, ascii versus ebcdic, ethernet versus token ring, competing voicemail technologies, competing WAN technologies and so on. I was in senior IT management at the time the debates were hot, and it was my job to filter out the noise, weigh the relative advantages and disadvantages of each, and try to chart a course for our global enterprise-level business that provided a solid, cost-efficient combination of platforms and computing models (e.g. distributed versus central, thin client versus fat client, and so on) that best served our business needs. I learned to be agnostic, make decisions based on cost/benefit, and to let the anger of whichever camp I displeased run off me like rain runs off a roof.

                                                            A similarly heated debate has raged about personal computer operating systems -- Windows versus Apple OS's versus Linux -- for at least 30-odd years. I am an agnostic in that respect, too, using Windows, Linux, Android and iOS on a daily basis. I see advantages and disadvantages in each, and try to use all of them in combination to create an environment that fits my needs.

                                                            I think the same way about the Windows-Linux debate. I have experience with both Windows (going back about 35 years) and Linux (going back about 15 years), and I am, simply, not in either camp. I appreciate the passion that drives adherents into Windows versus Linux camps, but I don't share it, using both, and remaining "of two minds" about the relative advantages and disadvantages of the two operating systems.

                                                            With that in mind, let me address a few of the issues you've raised:

                                                            SOLUSfiddler Why on earth do linux people's mouths get all watery when MS starts offering software built to be used on linux machines?

                                                            I don't know about "watery" (is that similar to drooling, or is it more similar to frothing at the mouth?), but quite a few people work, of necessity, in a mixed Windows-Linux environment, and almost all enterprise-level businesses deploy both Windows and Linux environments, requiring a relatively large number of employees to be OS-ambidextrous. I think those users are the people interested in Edge-Linux.

                                                            SOLUSfiddler The days of "terminal only" and "tinker-knowledge" are long gone by, for the everyday user at least (thank God!): You could very well use a linux system on your computer and not need the terminal at all, there is an abundance of linux operating systems out there that made just that: The "terminal only" approach superfluous.

                                                            While Linux has moved well beyond the "terminal only" phase, the terminal is not dead in Linux. In the first post in this thread, I discussed installing Edge on a Solus computer, using three simple terminal commands ("flatpak remote-add flathub-beta https://flathub.org/beta-repo/flathub-beta.flatpakrepo", then "flatpak install flathub-beta org.godotengine.Godot", then "flatpak install com.microsoft.Edge"). If there is a way to install flathub-beta and then an app from the flathub-beta repository without using the terminal, I would appreciate knowing about it. I don't think that it can be done in Solus.

                                                            I agree with you that the "everyday user" can use a well-designed distro for everyday tasks without resorting to the terminal, but if you read the "Support" posts on this forum (and similar forums for other distros), you'll notice that a lot of solutions involve both terminal commands and tinker-knowledge.

                                                            I agree with you that "[t]he "terminal only" approach is superfluous", but I also think that the issue is a red herring, both ways.

                                                            SOLUSfiddler And, I can understand your argument "linux has serious driver problems" - but what kind of users are you talking about? If you always want to use the latest cutting-edge technology - fine, then you might find driver problems in linux. But the way you generalise linux as a whole is going a little too far, I find. And, to be fair: You get a lot of driver problems in Windows, too.

                                                            Like it or not, the fact is that Linux commands a very small market share in the desktop/laptop computer market, and many manufacturers don't build Linux drivers for their products, cutting edge or not. This forum reflects that -- complaints abound to the effect that "I can't get this or that printer, wifi adapter and so on working ..." and the problem is almost always a driver problem, either a driver that doesn't exist because the manufacturer doesn't make a Linux driver or a driver that exists, but isn't in the kernel, requiring terminal installation. In general, driver issues are not nearly as big an issue in Windows, assuming that the products involved are from major manufacturers, because the manufacturers make Windows drivers and Windows includes them in the OS.

                                                            SOLUSfiddler [W]hat kind of users are you talking about?

                                                            In general, users who don't have a technical background and want to use a desktop/laptop that "just works". I support about two dozen friends, all in their 70's (as I am) as an on-call "geek". All are intelligent people, facile in computer use but without technical background. I also support, as a volunteer, the computers and network for a small railroad museum (11 desktops/laptops, a small, locked-down business-side network, and a 9-router distributed campus wifi network). As is the case with my friends, most of the people using the computers and network are retired, intelligent and facile, but without much understanding of what is going on in the background. Many younger users are more knowledgeable than older users, to be sure, but my guess is that most younger people are not all that different from the people I'm describing -- most don't have a technical background and want to use a desktop/laptop that "just works", with as little fuss and bother as possible.

                                                            SOLUSfiddler I don't understand your argument even less, tomscharbach, if you then turn around to hail Solus as a near-perfect desktop OS (which it is, damn it!).

                                                            I don't see an inconsistency in my observation ("However, within the limitations of Linux, Solus Budgie is a near-perfect desktop OS.") To me, it is possible to both understand and appreciate Solus Budgie as a "near-perfect desktop OS" while recognizing, at the same time, that Linux, upon which Solus is built, imposes limitations. If you do see an inconsistency, I won't argue about it, but I've used a number of distros over the years, and Solus Budgie shines in comparison, for the reasons I mentioned.

                                                            SOLUSfiddler Isn't linux and FOSS about freedom? About choice? About NOT getting hi-jacked when using a computer - a computer for the home user type of guy or gal, because that's what we're talking about here (this is the Solus forum after all). I thought it was.

                                                            I think in much more practical, less philosophical terms, probably because of my background. To me, the purpose of an OS (e.g. Linux, Windows 10, MacOS) is to provide a solid, reasonably stable operating environment, the purpose of a distro (e.g. Solus Budgie) is to provide a "clean and quick, simple and intuitive" working environment, and the purpose of FOSS (e.g. LibreOffice, Gimp) is the same as the purpose of propriety software (e.g. Office 365 or Adobe Photoshop), to provide working tools that meet the needs of the user. While I support FOSS and have used FOSS almost exclusively in my own computing environment for the last twenty-odd years, the reasons are more practical (the need to work as seamlessly as reasonably possible in a mixed Windows-Linux computing environment) than philosophical. I just don't align well with black and white divisions, particularly those that are philosophical in origin.

                                                                            tomscharbach I've used a number of distros over the years, and Solus Budgie shines in comparison, for the reasons I mentioned.

                                                                            That's consistent with my experience. I used other distros for years until I met Solus, and no longer feel any need to experiment with others.

                                                                              tomscharbach
                                                                              Thank you so much for your detailed response!
                                                                              I am not a native speaker of English - so "watery" was supposed to mean drooling, I presume (mouth-watering).
                                                                              Also thank you for sharing your views on the computing world and why you stand clear of "black and white divisions" - sounds wise to me.
                                                                              I've learned something for which I am grateful.

                                                                                SOLUSfiddler I agree with the main points of your comment. For people trying to get away from Windows it just doesn't make sense to run towards these new products which simply tangle them back up in the Microsoft walled gardens and data collection. You are I run Linux for the same reason.. privacy, security, and control over our devices.

                                                                                However, playing the devil's advocate, I can think of a number of reasons why Linux users would want to install the Edge Browser.

                                                                                Some people just like browsers. There was a time when I had every browser under the sun. Remember Torch? What a cool concept! Yandex is still one of the best browsing experiences I have had to date. What about Waterfox? Pale Moon? Sea Monkey? Epiphany? Maxthon? Epic? That doesn't even include Opera, Vivaldi, Konquerer, etc etc etc.

                                                                                I wouldn't touch these browsers now if you paid me but some people just like tinkering.. which is what Linux is known for.

                                                                                Also I believe that many, many of the "IT Professionals" everyone thinks of when they think of Linux do actually work in the Tech industry and many have Microsoft and Windows certifications which require them to at least run Windows 10 which has Edge pre-installed. Some might need/want Edge for professional use cases.

                                                                                There have even been several posts across the internet where I have seen people say that they wanted Edge as a way to keep all of the Microsoft/Windows based services under one piece of software so they would be able to stop mixing MSN and Hotmail and Outlook emails, Office, and Azure with their day-to-day browser.

                                                                                One final reason that springs to mind as a reason to install the Edge Browser is those who are actively encouraging the open-sourcing of Windows and Microsoft products by making them available on Linux platforms. Many people (and I may be wrong but I would consider many Ubuntu users specifically) may be interested in running Edge because they genuinely want to test, develop, and give feedback to try and encourage Microsoft to tilt further towards open-source models.

                                                                                When someone asks people like you and I, @SOLUSfiddler, why we run Linux the answer is 'to get away from Microsoft, and Google, and Big Tech, and Government Surveillance.'

                                                                                But Linux is not an OS platform, it is a community of people.

                                                                                Why do they run Linux?

                                                                                Because they can.

                                                                                Sadly many people may not yet truly understand the profound problems that arise from existing within Big Tech Walled Gardens. This is only my opinion but I feel it is moments such as these that create opportunities to begin a dialogue with those people on why running a browser like Edge is -not- in their best interests but also effectively communicating how using a proprietary piece of software like Edge can actually be a way to end the use of that same software.

                                                                                Richard Stallman, Founder of Gnu Project, explained this much better than me in his article "Is It Ever a Good Thing to Use a Non-Free Program?"

                                                                                    SOLUSfiddler

                                                                                    I was just going to link the article in my previous comment but I actually think that this aspect of Gnu Philosophy is under discussed and deserves more attention and debate among Linux users.

                                                                                    "Is It Ever a Good Thing to Use a Nonfree Program?"
                                                                                    by Richard Stallman

                                                                                    The question here is, is it ever a good thing to use a nonfree program? Our conclusion is that it is usually a bad thing, harmful to yourself and in some cases to others.

                                                                                    If you run a nonfree program on your computer, it denies your freedom; the immediate wrong is directed at you.(*)

                                                                                    That does not mean you're an “evildoer” or “sinner” for running a nonfree program. When the harm you're doing is mainly to yourself, we hope you will stop, for your own sake.

                                                                                    Sometimes you may face great pressure to run a nonfree program; we don't say you must defy that pressure at all costs (though it is inspiring when someone does that), but we do urge you to look for occasions to where you can refuse, even in small ways.

                                                                                    If you recommend that others run the nonfree program, or lead them to do so, you're leading them to give up their freedom. Thus, we have a responsibility not to lead or encourage others to run nonfree software. Where the program uses a secret protocol for communication, as in the case of Skype, your own use of it pressures others to use it too, so it is especially important to avoid any use of these programs.

                                                                                    But there is one special case where using some nonfree software, and even urging others to use it, can be a positive thing. That's when the use of the nonfree software aims directly at putting an end to the use of that very same nonfree software.

                                                                                    In the past

                                                                                    In 1983 I decided to develop the GNU operating system, as a free replacement for Unix. The feasible way to do it was to write and test the components one by one on Unix. But was it legitimate to use Unix for this? And was it legitimate to ask others to use Unix for this, given that Unix was proprietary software? (Of course, if it had not been proprietary, it would not have required replacing.)

                                                                                    The conclusion I reached was that using Unix to put an end to the use of Unix was legitimate for me to suggest to other developers. I likened it to participating in small ways in some evil activity, such as a criminal gang or a dishonest political campaign, in order to expose it and shut it down. While participating in the activity is wrong in itself, shutting it down excuses minor peripheral participation, comparable to merely using Unix. This argument would not justify being a ringleader, but I was only considering using Unix, not going to work for its development team.

                                                                                    The job of replacing Unix was completed when the last essential component was replaced by Linux, the kernel started by Linus Torvalds in 1991. We still add to the GNU/Linux system, but that doesn't require using Unix, so it isn't a reason for using Unix—not any more. Thus, whenever you're using a nonfree program for this sort of reason, you should reconsider from time to time whether the need still exists.
                                                                                    Nowadays

                                                                                    However, there are other nonfree programs we still need to replace, and the analogous question often arises. Should you run the nonfree driver for a peripheral to help you develop a free replacement driver? (More precisely, is it ethical for us to suggest that you do so?) Yes, by all means. Is it ok to run the nonfree JavaScript on a web site in order to file complaint asking the webmasters to free that JavaScript code, or make the site work without it? Definitely—but other than that, you should have LibreJS block it for you.

                                                                                    But this justification won't stretch any further. People that develop nonfree software, even software with malicious functionalities, often try to excuse this on the grounds that they fund some development of free software. However, a business that is basically wrong can't be legitimized by spending some of the profits on a worthy cause. For instance, some (not all) of the activities of the Gates Foundation are laudable, but they don't excuse Bill Gates's career, or Microsoft. If the business works directly against the worthy cause it tries to legitimize itself with, that is a self-contradiction and it undermines the cause.

                                                                                    Even using a nonfree program to develop free software in general is better to avoid, and not suggest to others. For instance, we should not ask people to run Windows or MacOS in order to make free applications run on them. As developer of Emacs and GCC, I accepted changes to make them support nonfree systems such as VMS, Windows and MacOS. I had no reason to reject that code, even though people had run nonfree systems to write it. Their use of unjust systems was not at my request or suggestion; rather, they were already using them before starting to write changes for GNU. They also did the packaging of releases for those systems.

                                                                                    The “developing its own replacement” exception is valid within its limits, and crucial for the progress of free software, but we must resist stretching it any further lest it turn into an all-purpose excuse for any profitable activity with nonfree software.
                                                                                    Author's note

                                                                                    Occasionally it is necessary to use and even upgrade a nonfree system on a machine in order to install a free system to replace it on that machine. This is not exactly the same issue, but the same arguments apply: it is legitimate to recommend running some nonfree software momentarily in order to remove it.