The good news is that you can! Modern web browsers have a fantastic, built-in feature that lets you install a website as a Progressive Web App (PWA), turning it into a dedicated, distraction-free desktop experience.
Here’s a full guide on how to do this using the most popular browsers: Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox.
What is a "Website App" (PWA)?
When you install a website as an app, it opens in a simplified window without the usual browser interface (no address bar, no tabs, no bookmarks).
This gives you several benefits:
- Focus: It eliminates the distraction of other open tabs.
- Speed: The app often loads faster and behaves more like native software.
- Organization: It gets its own icon on your taskbar, Start Menu, or desktop.
- Notifications: It can deliver native desktop notifications (if the website supports it).
Method 1: Google Chrome (The PWA Pioneer)
Chrome offers the most robust support for installing websites as apps.
1. Navigate to the Website
Open Google Chrome and go to the website you want to install (e.g., web.whatsapp.com, mail.google.com).
2. Access the Installation Menu
Look for one of these two indicators in the browser window:
- The Install Icon: A small computer icon with a down arrow will often appear on the right side of the address bar. Click this.
- The Three-Dot Menu: If the icon doesn't appear, click the three-dot menu (⋮) in the upper-right corner.
3. Select "Install..."
From the three-dot menu, hover over "Save and share" (or sometimes just the main menu) and select "Install [Website Name]..."
4. Confirm Installation
A small pop-up will appear asking you to confirm. Click "Install."
The website will immediately launch in a new, dedicated window, and a shortcut will be added to your desktop and/or Start Menu.
Method 2: Microsoft Edge (Built on Chrome's Engine)
Since the new version of Edge is based on the same technology (Chromium) as Chrome, the process is virtually identical.
1. Navigate to the Website
Open Microsoft Edge and go to the website you wish to install.
2. Access the Menu
Click the three-dot menu (...) in the upper-right corner of the browser window.
3. Select "Apps"
Hover over "Apps" in the menu list.
4. Select "Install this site as an app"
Click "Install this site as an app." Give the app a name (if prompted) and click "Install."
The website will launch as a dedicated application window. Edge also often gives you a follow-up prompt to choose where to pin the new app (Taskbar, Start Menu, or Desktop).
Method 3: Mozilla Firefox (The Shortcut Approach)
Firefox does not currently support the PWA standard in the same way Chrome and Edge do, but you can still create a similar dedicated shortcut.
1. Navigate and Resize
Open Firefox and go to the desired website.
2. Drag the URL
Click and drag the padlock icon (or the favicon) located to the left of the website's URL in the address bar.
3. Drop it on Your Desktop
Drag the icon out of the browser window and onto your PC's desktop.
This creates a standard desktop shortcut. When you double-click this shortcut, it will open the website directly in Firefox, bypassing the need to open a separate browser window first. While not a true PWA, it is a very fast way to launch your favorite sites.
Bonus Tip: Uninstalling a Website App
If you install an app and decide you don't like the dedicated experience, removing it is simple:
For Chrome and Edge PWAs:
- Open the installed web app.
- Click the three-dot menu (⋮ or ...) in the upper-right corner of the app window (not the main browser).
- Select "Uninstall [Website Name]..."
- Confirm the removal in the pop-up window. (In Chrome, there is an option to "Also clear data from Chrome" which is usually a good idea.)
For Firefox Shortcuts:
- Simply right-click the shortcut icon on your desktop.
- Select "Delete."
