How to Install Any Website as a Desktop App in Microsoft Edge

Many modern productivity services—such as Notion, Trello, Google Calendar, and WhatsApp Web—function like full desktop software inside a web browser. However, juggling web apps across dozens of standard browser tabs often leads to lost tabs, accidental window closures, and visual distraction from browser toolbars. Microsoft Edge includes a powerful feature that allows you to turn virtually any website into a standalone desktop application.

What Does Installing a Website as an App Do?

When you install a web page as an application in Edge, the browser packages it using Progressive Web App (PWA) architecture:

• Dedicated Window: The site runs in its own distraction-free window without URL bars, tabs, or browser bookmarks cluttering the top frame.
• Taskbar and Start Menu Integration: The web app gets its own distinct desktop icon, pins to your Windows taskbar or Start menu, and shows up in the Alt + Tab switcher.
• Independent Process: Closing your main Edge browsing window keeps your standalone web app open and running smoothly in the background.
• Custom Badges and Notifications: Web apps support native Windows notification banners and action center alerts.

How to Install a Website as an App in Microsoft Edge

You can install any site in just a few clicks from the Edge main menu:

1. Launch Microsoft Edge and navigate to the web page you want to install (such as your favourite email client or project management tool).
2. Click the three horizontal dots menu (…) in the top-right corner of the Edge window.
3. Hover over Apps in the dropdown menu.
4. Click Install this site as an app. (If the website natively supports PWA standards, the option will say Install [App Name]).
5. A confirmation dialog will appear. You can edit the application’s display name or click the default icon if you want to upload a custom picture.
6. Click the blue Install button.
7. The website will instantly reload in a sleek, borderless desktop app frame.

Configuring App Preferences and Autostart

Upon installation, Edge displays an App installed dialog with convenient system integration options:

• Pin to taskbar: Ticking this adds the app icon directly to your Windows taskbar for instant single-click launching.
• Pin to Start: Places the shortcut tile in your Windows 11 Start Menu.
• Create Desktop shortcut: Drops an executable icon onto your computer desktop.
• Auto-start on device login: Launches the web app automatically in the background whenever you boot up your computer—perfect for communication tools like Slack or Teams.

How to Manage and Uninstall Edge Web Apps

Managing installed web applications is just as straightforward as managing standard native Windows programs:

1. In Microsoft Edge, type edge://apps into the address bar and press Enter to view your installed app library.
2. To uninstall an app, click the three dots (…) on the app card and select Uninstall.
3. Optional: Tick Also clear data from Microsoft Edge if you want to wipe cached credentials and local cookies.
4. Alternatively, you can uninstall the app directly from Windows 11 via Settings > Apps > Installed apps.