Hey there! Ready to get YouTube right on your Windows 11 Pro desktop, just like an app? It's easier than you might think, and I'll walk you through every single step. Let's dive in!
Getting YouTube as an App on Windows 11 Pro
This guide will show you a couple of straightforward methods to install YouTube as a Progressive Web App (PWA) on your Windows 11 Pro system. This gives you a dedicated YouTube window, separate from your browser tabs, making it feel more like a native application.
Method 1: Using Microsoft Edge (Recommended)
This is generally the simplest and most seamless way to get YouTube as an app. Microsoft Edge has built-in capabilities to install PWAs.
Step 1: Open Microsoft Edge
- Go to your taskbar or Start Menu and click on the Microsoft Edge icon. It's the blue and green "e" icon.
Step 2: Navigate to the YouTube Website
- Once Edge is open, type
www.youtube.comin the address bar at the top and press Enter.
Step 3: Look for the "App available. Install YouTube?" Prompt
- After the YouTube page loads, keep an eye on the address bar. You might see a small "+" (plus) icon appear on the right side, often accompanied by a pop-up message that says something like "App available. Install YouTube?"
Step 4: Install YouTube
- If you see the prompt, simply click on the "+" icon.
- A small dialog box will appear asking you to confirm if you want to install the app. Click on the "Install" button.
Step 5: YouTube is Now Installed!
- That's it! YouTube will now open in its own separate window, without the browser tabs and interface. You should also find a shortcut to YouTube in your Start Menu under "Recently added" or in the alphabetical list of apps. You can even pin it to your taskbar for quick access!
Method 2: Installing via the Edge Settings Menu
If you don't see the prompt in Method 1, don't worry! You can still install YouTube through the Edge settings.
Step 1: Open Microsoft Edge and Go to YouTube
- Just like before, open Microsoft Edge and navigate to
www.youtube.com.
Step 2: Access the Edge Menu
- Look for the three horizontal dots (...) in the top-right corner of the Edge window. Click on them to open the menu.
Step 3: Navigate to "Apps"
- In the dropdown menu, hover your mouse over "Apps". This will open a submenu.
Step 4: Click on "Install YouTube"
- In the submenu, you should see an option that says "Install YouTube". Click on it.
Step 5: Confirm Installation
- A small dialog box will appear asking you to confirm if you want to install the app. Click on the "Install" button.
Step 6: Enjoy Your YouTube App!
- Just like in Method 1, YouTube will now open in its own window, and a shortcut will be available in your Start Menu.
Managing Your Installed YouTube App
Once YouTube is installed as an app, you can manage it just like any other application on your Windows 11 Pro system.
- Pin to Taskbar: Right-click on the YouTube app icon in the Start Menu or when it's open and select "Pin to taskbar" for easy access.
- Uninstall: If you ever want to remove the YouTube app, you can do so through the Windows Settings. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find "YouTube", click the three dots next to it, and select "Uninstall".
Why Install YouTube as an App?
Having YouTube as a separate app offers several advantages:
- Dedicated Window: It keeps your YouTube viewing separate from your browser tabs, reducing clutter.
- Quick Access: You can pin it to your taskbar for instant access.
- App-like Experience: It feels more like a native application, often with a cleaner interface focused solely on YouTube content.
- Notifications: You might receive desktop notifications for new uploads from your subscribed channels (depending on your settings).
Troubleshooting
If you encounter any issues during the installation process:
- Ensure Edge is up to date: Make sure you have the latest version of Microsoft Edge installed. You can check for updates by going to
edge://settings/helpin the address bar. - Try restarting Edge: Close and reopen Microsoft Edge and try the installation process again.
- Check your internet connection: A stable internet connection is required to install the PWA.
Frequently Asked Questions (How to...)
Here are some common questions about installing and using YouTube as an app on Windows 11 Pro:
How to find the installed YouTube app? You can find it in your Start Menu under the alphabetical list of apps or in the "Recently added" section.
How to pin the YouTube app to the taskbar? Right-click on the YouTube app icon in the Start Menu or when it's open and select "Pin to taskbar".
How to uninstall the YouTube app? Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find "YouTube", click the three dots next to it, and select "Uninstall".
How to enable or disable notifications for the YouTube app? Go to Settings > System > Notifications and look for "YouTube" in the list of apps to manage its notification settings.
How to open YouTube in my browser instead of the app?
Simply type www.youtube.com in your browser's address bar and press Enter. This will open the website version.
How to update the YouTube app? PWA apps like the YouTube app usually update automatically in the background when you're connected to the internet.
How to make the YouTube app open on startup? Go to Settings > Apps > Startup and toggle the switch for "YouTube" to "On".
How to switch between different YouTube accounts in the app? Click on your profile icon in the top-right corner of the YouTube app and select "Switch account".
How to view YouTube in full screen within the app? Click on the full-screen button (usually a rectangle) at the bottom-right of the video player.
How to report a problem with the YouTube app? Since it's essentially a web wrapper, you'd report issues through the standard YouTube feedback mechanisms on the website or within the app itself (usually by clicking on your profile icon and selecting "Send feedback").
There you have it! You've successfully installed YouTube as an app on your Windows 11 Pro system. Enjoy the dedicated viewing experience! Let me know if you have any other questions.