Getting YouTube on Windows 11 as a standalone-like app isn’t rocket science, but it does involve a few steps that aren’t super obvious right away. It’s kinda weird that Windows & Edge don’t make this a one-click process, but hey, that’s Microsoft for ya. Anyway, doing this makes YouTube feel a bit more integrated—like launching a tiny desktop app instead of just another browser tab. Perfect if you constantly watch videos or wanna keep it separate from the rest of your browsing. Once it’s set up, launching YouTube is just a click or two, no fussing with tabs or browser windows. This trick actually works pretty well, even if the process seems a bit roundabout at first. So, here’s how to do it without losing your mind.
How to Install YouTube on Windows 11
Visit the site and get Edge ready
You’ll wanna start with Microsoft Edge. If it’s not the default for some reason, just search for it in your start menu—they usually come bundled with Windows now. Make sure it’s up to date because some options, like “Install this site as an app,” might not show up on older versions. To check, go to Settings > About Microsoft Edge, or just hit Alt + R then “Help and Feedback,” and “About Microsoft Edge” to see the version. On my setups, if Edge isn’t updated, this whole thing might not work or the menu options don’t show up.
Step into YouTube and prepare the app shortcut
- Open Edge, type www.youtube.com in the address bar and hit Enter.
- Once YouTube loads, click on the three dots (menu) in the top-right corner of Edge.
- Hover over or click on “Apps” — if you don’t see that right away, check if your Edge is fully updated, because sometimes Microsoft sneaks stuff behind updates.
- Select “Install this site as an app”. On some setups, this might be under “More tools” or a separate menu, but usually it’s right there.
Name and install the app—almost there
After clicking that, a prompt pops up asking for a name. Call it “YouTube” or whatever you prefer. When you hit “Install”, Edge will spit out an icon on your desktop or in the start menu, depending on your settings. Sometimes, especially if you’re not paying attention, it doesn’t pop up where you expect, so check your desktop, taskbar, or start menu. That’s it—your YouTube app is ready to go!
And honestly, this method tends to create a pretty clean, minimal window for your videos. It’s kinda weird because sometimes, on some machines, the first time you try it, it doesn’t fully register or shows a weird “not responding” box for a second. But after a restart of Edge or a quick reboot, it tends to work better. Just one of those Windows quirks, right?
Tips to Make it Even Better
- Keep your Microsoft Edge up to date—without that, some of these features can be flaky.
- Right-click the new YouTube icon and pick “Properties” if you want to customize its appearance or icon. Because, why not?
- Pin this app to your taskbar for quick access—right-click the icon and choose “Pin to taskbar”.
- Use the same trick for other sites you visit often, like Twitch, Twitter, or Reddit. Just this time, navigate to the site and install it as an app too.
- If the app acts weird or won’t launch, try clearing Edge’s cache or resetting the browser settings—it’s a quick fix that’s worth a shot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use browsers other than Edge to do this?
Not really. Edge is the only browser on Windows 11 that natively supports the “Install this site as an app” feature. Alternatives like Chrome or Firefox don’t have the same built-in options, though there are some third-party workarounds that are messier.
Will this offline feature work with YouTube?
Nope, this just loads the web version, so internet is still a must. You won’t be able to watch videos offline unless you download them beforehand with YouTube Premium or some third-party tool—which is a whole other hassle.
What if I change my mind and want to get rid of the app?
Just right-click the icon (on desktop or in start menu) and select “Uninstall”. Easy enough. If it’s pinned to the taskbar, right-click that too and choose “Unpin from taskbar.”
How do I update this app or fix issues later?
It’s mostly tied to how well the web version of YouTube gets updated, so you don’t really need to manually update it. If something doesn’t look right, removing and reinstalling can fix glitches. Just repeat the process, and it should refresh the shortcut to the latest version.
Summary
- Open Edge and visit www.youtube.com.
- Go to the Edge menu, choose “Apps”, then “Install this site as an app”.
- Name your app and click “Install”.
- Launch your shiny new YouTube desktop app whenever needed—pin it for instant access.
Wrap-up
Honestly, this isn’t a perfect or fully integrated solution, but it’s way better than leaving YouTube in a tab. Makes your workflow cleaner and kind of more “app-like.” If this method gets one less tab open or makes your YouTube life a smidge easier, then it’s worth a shot. Just remember, Windows will sometimes throw a fit, so patience is key. Hope it helps someone save a few clicks or minimize distractions.