Simplifying YouTube Access on Windows 10 with a Web App
Getting to YouTube on a Windows 10 PC doesn’t need to be a giant headache. There’s a pretty slick way to make it easier by installing it as a Progressive Web App (PWA) using Microsoft Edge. This method sets YouTube up like an app that sits on your desktop, which is way less annoying than having to keep a browser tab open all the time. Plus, it gives a cleaner look and feel when diving into videos.
Installing YouTube as a Web App on Windows 10
Ready to ditch the browser tab insanity? Installing YouTube as a PWA is straightforward and means you can open it in its own little window, just like a regular app.
Opening Microsoft Edge
First up, fire up Microsoft Edge. It’s the default browser hanging out in Windows 10. If it ain’t the latest version, that can cause all sorts of unnecessary issues. Check your version by heading to Settings > About Microsoft Edge or just run `msedge.exe --version` in Command Prompt. If you don’t see it pinched in your taskbar, just grab it from the Start menu.
Hitting Up YouTube
Next, go to YouTube by dropping `https://www.youtube.com` into the address bar and hitting Enter. Wait until all the fuss is loaded up before moving on—this way, you know you’re good to go for installation.
Finding the Menu
Now, look for that three-dot menu at the top right corner (or you can mash Alt + F). This is where all the good options are.
Selecting “Install this site as an app”
Hover over the “Apps” section, and you’ll see “Install this site as an app.” If you can’t find it, try updating Edge because, of course, Windows loves playing hard to get.
It’s a pretty neat trick—now Edge will treat YouTube almost like a native app and boom, you have a shortcut on your desktop.
Naming It and Making It Official
A window pops up letting you name the app; go with “YouTube” or whatever strikes your fancy. Click “Install,” and just like that, you’ll have a fresh YouTube icon staring back at you from the desktop.
Pro tip: You can also check out `
Double-click that bad boy, and YouTube will launch in its own cozy little space instead of a crowded browser.
Tips for a Smooth Experience
Keeping Microsoft Edge updated is key for this to work well, so don’t slack off. Check for updates in Settings > About Microsoft Edge. Just a reminder, bookmarking YouTube with Ctrl + D as a backup isn’t a bad idea either.
And if you wanna pin the app for fast access, just right-click the icon once it’s on your desktop or taskbar and choose Pin to taskbar.
If the “Install this site as an app” option goes MIA, restarting the browser might wake it up. Plus, keeping Windows updated through Windows + I and heading to Update & Security helps keep everything in sync.
Common Questions Answered
A lot of folks are curious about whether this method is any good. As of now, Edge does the best job of this PWA stuff on Windows 10. Just remember, this setup gives you a shortcut for YouTube, not a local download. You still need the internet to actually watch your videos.
Offline viewing: If offline access is a dealbreaker, subscribing to YouTube Premium lets you download videos through the official app, not this PWA trick.
Uninstalling is straightforward too — just right-click that desktop icon and hit Uninstall, or root around for it in the Start menu under Apps & Features.
Wrapping Up
So, to recap, getting YouTube as a web app is all about:
- Opening up Microsoft Edge
- Going to
https://www.youtube.com - Clicking that three-dot menu (Alt + F or using the icon)
- Finding Apps > Install this site as an app
- Naming the app (like “YouTube”) and hitting Install
This little routine can save some serious hassle every time the urge to binge-watch strikes.
Installing YouTube as a PWA really makes life simpler—not only does it save time, but it cleans up the nonsense on the desktop too. It doesn’t allow for local downloads, but the way it integrates into your daily routine is a win.
For quick access, a custom shortcut or popping “YouTube” into the Windows Search bar works like a charm. Just another way to make life a bit easier—hopefully, this shaves off quite a bit of frustration for someone battling with their browser tabs.