Google Chrome Installation Guide
Unlike Firefox, Google Chrome is not open-source and is not included in the default Ubuntu repositories. To install it, we must download the official package directly from Google, similar to how you would download an installer on Windows.
1. Download the Package
We will use the command line to download the latest stable version of Chrome.
- Open your terminal.
- Use
wgetto download the.debfile:wget https://dl.google.com/linux/direct/google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb
2. Install via APT
While you could use dpkg, the best practice is to use apt. This method automatically identifies and installs any missing dependencies (like fonts or audio libraries) that Chrome needs to run.
- Command:
sudo apt install ./google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb- Note: The
./is crucial. It tells Linux to look for the file in the current folder, rather than searching the online software center.
- Note: The
3. Automatic Updates
One of the best features of the official Chrome installer is that it automatically adds the Google repository to your system sources.
- What this means: You do not need to download a new
.debfile every time Chrome updates. - How to update: Chrome will update automatically whenever you run your standard system maintenance:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
4. Cleanup
Once installed, you no longer need the installer file sitting in your folder.
- Remove the file:
rm google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb
5. Troubleshooting: Hardware Acceleration
If Chrome feels sluggish, tears while scrolling, or uses high CPU while watching videos, it might not be using your GPU correctly. Linux drivers can sometimes cause Chrome to default to "Software Rendering" for safety.
-
Check Status:
- Type
chrome://gpuin the address bar. - Look for "Video Decode" or "Canvas". If they say "Software only," acceleration is disabled.
- Type
-
Force Enable:
- Type
chrome://flagsin the address bar. - Search for "Override software rendering list".
- Set it to Enabled.
- Relaunch Chrome.
- Type