Although Google has a native YouTube app for Android and iOS, there was never an official app for Windows 10. After many years, the company still has not built a native application for the Windows platform. However, now YouTube is a Progressive Web App (PWA), which you can install on Windows 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, you will learn how to install (and uninstall) the YouTube progressive web application on Windows 10.
- Install YouTube app on Windows 10 using Microsoft Edge
- Install YouTube app on Windows 10 using Chrome
Install YouTube app on Windows 10 using Microsoft Edge
To install the YouTube app on Windows 10, use these steps:
Open Microsoft Edge on Windows 10.
Open YouTube website.
Click the Settings and more (three-dotted) button in the top-right corner.
Select the Apps submenu.
Click the Install YouTube option.
Click the Install button.
Once you complete the steps, the progressive web app (PWA) version of YouTube will install on Windows 10, and it will be available from the Start menu.
Uninstall YouTube app from Microsoft Edge
To remove YouTube from Windows 10, use these steps:
Open Microsoft Edge.
Click the Settings and more (three-dotted) button in the top-right corner.
Select the Apps submenu.
Click the Manage apps options.
Under the “Installed apps” section, click the Details button for YouTube.
Click the Uninstall button.
(Optional) Check the “Also clear data from Microsoft Edge” option.
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.
How to install YouTube app on Windows 10 using Chrome
To install the YouTube PWA with Chrome, use these steps:
Open Google Chrome.
Open YouTube website.
Click the Customize and Control (three-dotted) button in the top-right corner.
Click the Install YouTube option.
Click the Install button.
Once you complete the steps, Google Chrome will install the progressive web app (PWA) version of YouTube on Windows 10. Also, similar to Edge, the app will now be available from the Start menu.
Uninstall YouTube app from Chrome
To uninstall the Chrome version of YouTube from Windows 10, use these steps:
Open Google Chrome.
Open this settings page:
chrome://apps
Right-click the YouTube app and select the Remove from Chrome option.
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.
