Install Google Chrome Web Browser on Centos 7: Best Browser

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Install Google Chrome Web Browser on Centos 7: Best Browser

This tutorial is designed to guide you through the process of installing the Install Google Chrome Web Browser on Centos 7. The Google Chrome browser is a highly regarded choice, recognized for its speed, robust security features, and user-friendly interface. It has steadily increased its market presence, surpassing other browsers to become the world’s leading option.

Here are some of Google Chrome’s best features:

  • Speed and Performance: Chrome is known for its fast loading times and efficient performance, allowing for a smooth browsing experience.
  • Security: It offers built-in security features, including sandboxing and automatic updates, to protect against malware and phishing attacks.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Chrome has a clean and intuitive interface, making it easy to navigate and use.
  • Extensive Extension Library: The Chrome Web Store provides a vast library of extensions to customize and enhance your browsing experience.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: Chrome is available on various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
  • Syncing Capabilities: Chrome allows you to sync your bookmarks, history, passwords, and settings across multiple devices.
  • Developer Tools: Chrome offers powerful developer tools for web developers to debug and optimize their websites.
  • Incognito Mode: Chrome’s Incognito mode allows you to browse the web privately without saving your browsing history or cookies.
  • Automatic Updates: Chrome automatically updates to the latest version, ensuring you have the latest features and security patches.
  • Accessibility Features: Chrome provides accessibility features for users with disabilities, such as screen readers and keyboard navigation.

Now, let’s proceed with the steps on how to install Chrome on Centos 7.

Before you begin, ensure you are logged into your Centos 7 server as a non-root user with sudo privileges. If you haven’t already, follow the instructions in the Initial Server Setup with Centos 7 guide available on the Orcacore website to configure this.

This guide focuses on installing Google Chrome from the command line. Follow the steps below to successfully Install Google Chrome Web Browser on Centos 7.

1. Install Google Chrome on Centos 7

First, update your local package index to ensure you have the latest package information. Use the following command:

sudo yum update -y && sudo yum upgrade -y

Next, install the necessary packages required for the Chrome installation. These packages include curl and wget, which are used for downloading files from the internet.

sudo yum install curl wget -y

Download Google Chrome for Centos 7 64 bit

Now, download the Google Chrome installation setup file using wget. This command retrieves the latest stable version of Chrome for 64-bit Centos 7.

sudo wget https://dl.google.com/linux/direct/google-chrome-stable_current_x86_64.rpm

Install Chrome Centos

Once the download is complete, install Google Chrome using the yum localinstall command. This command installs the Chrome package from the downloaded RPM file.

sudo yum localinstall google-chrome-stable_current_x86_64.rpm

Verify the installation by checking the Chrome version. This command will display the installed version of Google Chrome.

google-chrome --version
**Output**
Google Chrome 111.0.5563.64

With these steps completed, Google Chrome is now successfully installed on your Centos 7 server.

2. Launch Google Chrome

To launch Google Chrome, simply execute the following command in the terminal:

google-chrome

Upon launching, Chrome will prompt you to configure some initial settings. You may be asked to check or uncheck certain boxes and then press "Enter".

Chrome welcome page
Chrome Welcome screen

Once you’ve completed the initial setup, you’ll see the following window:

Get started Chrome

Click the "Get Started" button, and you’re ready to use Google Chrome on your Centos 7 system.

3. How To Update Google Chrome on Centos 7

Keeping Chrome up-to-date is crucial for security and performance. You can easily update Chrome using the following command:

sudo yum update -y

If updates are available, you can use the upgrade option:

sudo yum upgrade -y

To upgrade only the Chrome package, use the following command:

sudo yum upgrade google-chrome-stable

For more information about Chrome features, visit the Google Chrome Features page.

Conclusion

Google Chrome is a popular and powerful browser. This guide has shown you how to Install Google Chrome Web Browser on Centos 7 and keep it updated.

Hope you enjoy it. You may also be interested in these articles:

Alternative Installation Methods for Google Chrome on CentOS 7

While the method described above, using yum and the official RPM package, is a reliable way to install Google Chrome, alternative approaches exist. These methods might be useful in specific scenarios or offer different levels of control over the installation process. Here are two alternative ways to Install Google Chrome Web Browser on Centos 7.

1. Using the dnf Package Manager

While CentOS 7 primarily uses yum, dnf (Dandified Yum) is a next-generation package manager that offers some advantages over yum, such as improved dependency resolution and performance. It can be installed on CentOS 7 and used as an alternative to yum.

Explanation:

If dnf is already installed (it might not be by default on CentOS 7), you can use it to install Chrome. The process is similar to using yum, but with different commands. dnf can sometimes resolve dependency issues more effectively than yum, making it a potentially smoother installation experience.

Code Example:

First, check if dnf is installed. If not, install it:

rpm -q dnf
sudo yum install dnf -y

Then, use dnf to download and install the Chrome RPM package:

sudo dnf install https://dl.google.com/linux/direct/google-chrome-stable_current_x86_64.rpm

dnf will automatically handle dependency resolution during the installation.

2. Using a Third-Party Repository (Not Recommended for Security Reasons)

While not recommended due to potential security risks, another method involves enabling a third-party repository that provides Chrome packages. This approach simplifies the installation process but introduces a dependency on the repository maintainer’s security practices. Using this method should be done with extreme caution, as it could expose your system to vulnerabilities.

Explanation:

Third-party repositories are software repositories hosted by individuals or organizations other than the official distribution maintainers. While they can provide access to software not available in the official repositories, they also pose a security risk if the repository is compromised or maintained poorly. Before enabling any third-party repository, research its reputation and security practices thoroughly.

Code Example (Use with Extreme Caution):

First, you would need to find a reputable third-party repository that offers Chrome packages. This is the risky part, as there are many untrustworthy repositories. For illustrative purposes only (do NOT blindly execute this!), let’s assume a repository named "example-repo" provides the packages.

You would typically add the repository configuration file to /etc/yum.repos.d/:

sudo nano /etc/yum.repos.d/example-repo.repo

The contents of the .repo file would look something like this (again, this is an example, and you should verify the actual details):

[example-repo]
name=Example Repository
baseurl=http://example.com/centos7/
enabled=1
gpgcheck=0  # Disabling GPG check for simplicity (HIGHLY DISCOURAGED in real-world scenarios)

NOTE: The gpgcheck=0 line disables GPG signature verification, which is highly discouraged in a production environment. GPG signatures ensure that the packages you’re installing are authentic and haven’t been tampered with. If you use a third-party repository, always enable GPG checking and verify the repository’s GPG key.

After adding the repository, you can install Chrome using yum (or dnf, if installed):

sudo yum install google-chrome-stable

Again, using third-party repositories is generally not recommended unless you have a strong understanding of the associated risks and are confident in the repository’s security. Sticking to the official method described in the main article is the safest and most reliable way to Install Google Chrome Web Browser on Centos 7.

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