How to install YouTube web app on Windows 11, 10

YouTube is now a Progressive Web App (PWA), and you can now install it on Windows 11 (or 10) using Edge or Chrome – here's how.

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@Pureinfotech
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Install YouTube app on Windows 11, 10
Install YouTube app on Windows 11, 10
  • To install YouTube as an app on Windows 11, open “YouTube” with Edge, open the main menu, choose “Install YouTube,” and click “Install.”
  • To install YouTube as an app, open “YouTube” with Chrome, open the main menu, select the “Save and share” menu, choose “Create shortcut,” check “Open as window,” and click “Create.” 

UPDATED 10/16/2023: Although Google has a native YouTube app for Android and iOS, there was never an official app for Windows 11 or even Windows 10. After many years, the company still has not built a native application for the Windows platform for whatever reason. However, since the YouTube site is a Progressive Web App (PWA), you can install it on Windows 11 (and 10) using the latest version of Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.

Progressive web app refers to the technology that allows websites to offer an app-like experience to users, such as the ability to work offline, notifications, automatic updates, easy installation and uninstallation, and various other features. However, it is up to the developer to implement these functionalities.

In the case of the YouTube app, Google only offers basic features, and you won’t find an option to download videos or use the app without an internet connection.

In this guide, I will teach you the steps to install (and uninstall) the YouTube progressive web application on Windows 11 (and 10).

Install YouTube app on Windows 11 from Edge

To install the YouTube app on Windows 11 (or 10), use these steps:

  1. Open Microsoft Edge.

  2. Open YouTube (web).

  3. Click the Settings and more (three-dotted) button in the top-right corner.

  4. Select the Apps submenu.

  5. Click the Install YouTube option.

    Microsoft Edge install YouTube app

  6. Click the Install button.

Once you complete the steps, the progressive web app (PWA) version of YouTube will install on Windows, and it will be available from the Start menu.

Uninstall YouTube app from Microsoft Edge

To remove YouTube from Windows 11 (or 10), use these steps:

  1. Open Microsoft Edge.

  2. Click the Settings and more (three-dotted) button in the top-right corner.

  3. Select the Apps submenu.

  4. Click the View apps options.

  5. Click the More options (three-dots) button in the top-right and choose the Manage apps option.

  6. Under the “Installed apps” section, click the Details button for YouTube.

    Web app details option

  7. Click the Uninstall button.

    Uninstall YouTube from Edge

  8. (Optional) Check the “Also clear data from Microsoft Edge” option.

  9. Click the Remove button.

Alternatively, you can also uninstall the YouTube app from Settings > Apps > Apps & features, selecting the app and clicking the Uninstall button. Or, from the Start menu, right-click the app and select the Uninstall button.

Install YouTube app on Windows 11 from Chrome

To install the YouTube as web app with Chrome, use these steps:

  1. Open Google Chrome.

  2. Open YouTube (web).

  3. Click the Customize and Control (three-dotted) button in the top-right corner.

  4. Select the “Save and share” menu and choose the “Create shortcut” option to install YouTube.

    Chrome install YouTube app

  5. Check the “Open as window” button.

    Open as window

  6. Click the Create button.

Once you complete the steps, Google Chrome will install the progressive web app (PWA) version of YouTube on Windows 11 (or 10). Also, similar to Edge, the app will now be available from the Start menu.

Uninstall YouTube app from Google Chrome

To uninstall the YouTube app, use these steps:

  1. Open Google Chrome.

  2. Open this settings page:

    chrome://apps

  3. Right-click the YouTube app and select the “Uninstall” option.

    Chrome uninstall YouTube app

Alternatively, you can also uninstall the YouTube app from Settings > Apps > Apps & features, selecting the app and clicking the “Uninstall” button. Or, from the Start menu, right-click the app and select the “Uninstall” button.

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].