Installing your frequently visited websites as desktop applications can streamline your workflow by allowing quick access without opening a browser first. Modern browsers like Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge make it easy to turn any website into a standalone app on your Windows 10 PC.
Using Microsoft Edge to install a website as an app
Step 1: Open the new Microsoft Edge browser and navigate to the website you wish to install as an app.
Step 2: Click on the Menu icon (three dots) located at the top-right corner of the browser window.
Step 3: Hover over Apps in the dropdown menu, then select Install this site as an app.
Edge will create a desktop shortcut for the website, allowing you to launch it in a separate window that functions like an app, without the usual browser interface. This provides a more streamlined experience focused solely on the website's content.
Step 4: To open the installed app, simply double-click the shortcut on your desktop or find it in the Start menu alongside your other applications.
Using Google Chrome to install a website as an app
Step 1: Open Google Chrome and navigate to the website you want to install.
Step 2: Click on the Menu icon (three dots) located at the top-right corner of the browser window.
Step 3: Hover over More Tools, then select Create Shortcut... from the submenu.
Step 4: In the prompt that appears, enter a name for the app and check the Open as window option. This ensures the website opens in its own window, emulating a desktop application's behavior.
Step 5: Click Create to finalize the process. A shortcut will be added to your desktop, and you can also access the app from the Start menu.
Uninstalling websites installed as apps
If you decide you no longer need the website app, you can uninstall it easily. While the app is open, click on the Menu icon (three dots) in the app window and select Uninstall [App Name].
For Microsoft Edge users: You can also manage and uninstall apps directly from the browser. Click on the Menu icon, navigate to Apps, and select Manage Apps. Alternatively, type edge://apps into the address bar to access the apps page.
Here, you'll see a list of all websites you've installed as apps. To remove an app, click the X next to its name, then confirm by clicking Remove in the pop-up dialog.
By transforming websites into desktop apps, you can enhance your productivity and access your favorite sites more conveniently. Whether you prefer Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome, both browsers offer straightforward methods to bring your most-used websites to your desktop.
