Linux @lemmy.ml Pacrat173 @lemmy.ml 5 mo. ago

New to Linux and can't install Librewolf

Hello all I just started running Linux Mint and I’m trying to install LibreWolf. I ran the commands I was told on the website but it fails every time am I doing something wrong? And how do I fix it thanks!

26 comments

Tell us what commands you ran exactly and what the terminal responded.

(Do this in general when asking for Linux help btw. that makes it a bit easier to give a useful reply straight away.)
As a brand new user, you don't need to use any commands to install librewolf. Open "Software Manager", type "libre" in the search bar and install the first result.
- I tried that but it seems to get stuck on the loading screen saying Generating cache, one moment please I’m not sure if it’s just slow or if something is wrong
  
  I take that back I don’t know what I done to fix it but it’s working now
  
  Sometimes, the repos(machines where the software is stored) has a hiccup that causes installs to stall and fail. When that happens, I usually give it another try in an hour or so before bothering to troubleshoot. It pretty much always resolves itself when this happens.
Install it from your Software Center. It's really easy and need no command at all.
I believe I’ve solved the issue thank you all for the help!
- If you have the time please tell us how you solved it, it might be helpful for other people in the future with the same problem.
  
  Changed methods I used the software manager instead
Just use the Flatpak, it makes everything much easier:
https://flathub.org/apps/io.gitlab.librewolf-community
You have 3 solutions :

RUN THESE COMMANDS

sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y wget gnupg lsb-release apt-transport-https ca-certificates

distro=$(if echo " una bookworm vanessa focal jammy bullseye vera uma " | grep -q " $(lsb_release -sc) "; then lsb_release -sc; else echo focal; fi)

wget -O- https://deb.librewolf.net/keyring.gpg | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/librewolf.gpg

sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/librewolf.sources << EOF > /dev/null Types: deb URIs: https://deb.librewolf.net Suites: $distro Components: main Architectures: amd64 Signed-By: /usr/share/keyrings/librewolf.gpg EOF

sudo apt update

sudo apt install librewolf -y

USE THE DISTRO APP STORE

USE FLATPAK (just enter this command into the terminal)

flatpak install flathub io.gitlab.librewolf-communitym
Step 1:

Go to software

Step 2: search librewolf

Step 3: install it

Sometimes the CLI is more complicated
Websites can be vague, or outdated. Is there any error from running the command?
One thing that could help is showing what is going wrong. Do just the icon does not appear? Do some error show up?

But regardless, I see that Librewolf is not packaged in Debian official software repositories (online storage a software packages are downloaded from), so they ask you to add their own repository manually, which for APT case (package manager in Linux Mint) is an overwhelming amount of code to type to say at least.

You say you are a new user, so I can highly recommend that if something is not officially available through simple apt install to try Flatpak. Official guide: https://flathub.org/setup/Debian, TLDR:

sudo apt install flatpak # Installs flatpak to your system flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://dl.flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo # Adds Flathub, the biggest store for flatpaks

Once it's there:

flatpak install librewolf

Someone using Linux for years might know where stuff on system is placed and not fear not knowing what a command do and how to undo it. But if you don't know what is happening, better to stick to distribution provided sources. Otherwise the equivalent would be like typing some commands in Windows to change registry keys :). I think Librewolf should recommend Flatpak by default instead.

Sorry if this is too much info, just tried to explain things a little more than usual.
- linux mint comes with flatpak
Sudo apt install librewolf

Sudo apt install flatpak

Flatpak install librewolf

If that doesn't work then I recommend you try just installing it from your package manager of choice

But if that doesn't work then I don't know what else I can do for you mate. Firefox broke on my version of Linux mint just uninstalled it and used unchromeium Linux and it's subsequent distros can be quite weird at times
- It is only available as a flatpak
  
  Or from source
- You would need to add the flathub repo. But thats already done by default on Mint.
Librewolf seems great but imo don't use it. It's just pre-configured stock firefox for privacy. The exact same thing can be made possible with arkenfox's user.js. I fail to see a reason to use it just for some changed settings.
- LibreWolf is indeed based on the hardened Firefox arkenfox user.js so you get its benefits which means a privacy-focused browser but Librewolf also comes with more settings pre-adjusted, telemetry removed, useless features removed....
  
  I've played with Firefox settings for years before Librewolf was created and it saves me so much time, ensure my browser stays up to date and functional, and is able to perform fingerprints test way better than any other many web browsers I've tried.
- That's exactly the reason I use it. I like firefox but wish it was more secure/private out of the box which is exactly what librewolf is. Saves me time
- Doing things the hard way doesn't make you smarter.

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