Hey there! Ready to get the YouTube app up and running on your Windows 11 machine? It's a breeze, and I'll walk you through every single step. Let's dive right in!
Step 1: Opening the Microsoft Store - Your Gateway to Apps
The easiest and most recommended way to snag the official YouTube app (which is essentially a Progressive Web App or PWA, offering a native-like experience) is through the Microsoft Store. Think of it as your digital marketplace for all things Windows.
- Locating the Microsoft Store Icon: Usually, you'll find the Microsoft Store icon pinned to your taskbar. It looks like a blue shopping bag with the Windows logo inside. Give it a click!
- Can't Find It? No Worries! If you don't see it on your taskbar, just click on the Start button (the Windows logo at the bottom-left of your screen). Then, start typing "Microsoft Store". It should pop up in the search results. Click on it to open.
Step 2: Searching for the YouTube App - Finding What You Need
Once the Microsoft Store is open, you'll see a search bar, usually located at the top of the window.
- Typing Your Query: Click inside the search bar and type in "YouTube".
- Hitting Enter or Clicking the Search Icon: Press the Enter key on your keyboard or click on the magnifying glass icon next to the search bar to initiate the search.
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Step 3: Locating the Official YouTube App - Spotting the Right One
The search results will likely show various apps related to YouTube. You're looking for the official YouTube app.
- Identifying the Official App: The official app is usually simply titled "YouTube". Look for the familiar red and white YouTube logo.
- Checking the Publisher (Optional but Recommended): While not always displayed prominently in the initial results, clicking on the app listing might show the publisher. The official app is typically published by Google LLC. This helps ensure you're downloading the genuine application.
Step 4: Installing the YouTube App - Bringing It to Your PC
Once you've found the official YouTube app, it's time to install it.
- Clicking the "Get" or "Install" Button: On the app's page, you'll see a button that says either "Get" or "Install". Click on this button.
- The Download and Installation Process: The Microsoft Store will now begin downloading the YouTube app to your computer. You'll likely see a progress bar indicating the download status. Once the download is complete, the installation process will start automatically. This might take a few moments depending on your internet speed and computer performance.
Step 5: Launching the YouTube App - Enjoying Your Videos
After the installation is finished, you'll usually see a notification confirming that the app has been installed. You'll also have a few options to launch it.
- Clicking the "Open" Button in the Microsoft Store: The "Install" button will likely change to an "Open" button. Clicking this will launch the YouTube app immediately.
- Finding it in the Start Menu: Click the Start button. The newly installed YouTube app should appear in your list of recently added apps or within the alphabetical list of all your applications. Click on it to open.
- Pinning it for Easy Access (Optional but Convenient):
- Pin to Taskbar: Right-click on the YouTube app icon in the Start Menu or when it's open and select "Pin to taskbar". This will place the icon on your taskbar for quick access in the future.
- Pin to Start: Right-click on the YouTube app icon in the Start Menu and select "Pin to Start". This will add a tile for the app to your Start Menu.
Alternative Method (Via Web Browser - Not a Dedicated App):
While the Microsoft Store provides the closest experience to a dedicated app, you can also create a shortcut to the YouTube website that behaves somewhat like an app.
- Step A: Open Microsoft Edge (or your preferred browser).
- Step B: Navigate to the YouTube website (
www.youtube.com - Step C: Click the three dots (ellipsis) in the top-right corner of the Edge browser.
- **Step D: Hover over "Apps".
- **Step E: Click on "Install this site as an app".
- Step F: A small dialog box will appear. You can rename the app if you like (e.g., "YouTube App"). Click "Install".
This will create a shortcut that opens YouTube in its own window, without the usual browser interface, giving it a more app-like feel. You'll find this "app" in your Start Menu.
Enjoying YouTube on Your Windows 11 PC!
Congratulations! You've successfully downloaded and installed (or created a shortcut for) the YouTube app on your Windows 11 computer. Now you can easily access your favorite videos, channels, and playlists directly from your desktop.
How to... Frequently Asked Questions
How to check if the YouTube app is the official one?
Quick Answer: Look for "Google LLC" as the publisher in the Microsoft Store listing. The icon should also be the standard red and white YouTube logo.
How to update the YouTube app on Windows 11?
Quick Answer: The Microsoft Store usually updates apps automatically in the background. You can also manually check for updates by opening the Microsoft Store, clicking on "Library" in the bottom-left, and then clicking "Get updates" in the top-right.
How to uninstall the YouTube app from Windows 11?
Quick Answer: Go to Settings (Windows key + I) > Apps > Installed apps. Find "YouTube" in the list, click the three dots next to it, and select "Uninstall".
How to pin the YouTube app to the Start Menu?
Quick Answer: Click the Start button, find "YouTube" in the app list, right-click on it, and select "Pin to Start".
How to pin the YouTube app to the Taskbar?
Quick Answer: Open the YouTube app, then right-click on its icon in the taskbar and select "Pin to taskbar". Alternatively, find it in the Start Menu, right-click, go to "More", and then click "Pin to taskbar".
How to search for videos within the YouTube app?
Quick Answer: Once the app is open, you'll find a search bar at the top. Click in it, type your search query, and press Enter.
How to sign in to my YouTube account on the app?
Quick Answer: Click on the profile icon (usually in the top-right corner), and then select "Sign in". Follow the on-screen instructions to enter your Google account details.
How to change the video quality in the YouTube app?
Quick Answer: While watching a video, click the gear icon (settings) usually located at the bottom-right of the video player. Then, select "Quality" and choose your preferred resolution.
How to go full screen in the YouTube app?
Quick Answer: While watching a video, click the full-screen icon (usually two outward-pointing arrows) located at the bottom-right of the video player. Press the Esc key or click the same icon again to exit full screen.
How to find my subscriptions in the YouTube app?
Quick Answer: In the left-hand sidebar of the app, you'll typically find a "Subscriptions" section. Click on it to see the latest videos from the channels you're subscribed to.