Whether we’re using Google Drive, sending emails, or attending meetings, a lot of our work takes place on a browser. But a lot of people, like myself, would rather use native desktop apps
than go to a website. For starters, I’ve discovered that applications are quicker and more responsive than web pages. The Asana app, which is far quicker than the website, is a prime example. However, not every web service is offered as a stand-alone desktop application.
You can convert webpages into Windows desktop applications if you use web services often. Installing websites as Windows programs is a built-in capability of the majority of browsers. Additionally, third-party solutions are available to turn a website into a desktop application.
Install The Apps You Can
Many web apps already have desktop apps.
Although it might seem apparent, we frequently aren’t aware that many of the web programs we use have desktop counterparts. I just learned that many of the project management applications I regularly use—such as Trello, Asana, Airtable, and Monday—have desktop versions that are far quicker than their websites. Similar to this, social networking sites like TikTok, LinkedIn, and Threads, as well as Google Drive and even Apple iCloud, offer Windows applications.
Another Netflix client is available for Windows. However, it is incompatible with Macs. I recall that the Microsoft Store formerly included a YouTube app, but it has since been removed. It wasn’t really useful, though. It was essentially just a website that was posing as an application.
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Integrate Web Apps Using Your Browser.
Regardless of whether you use Edge, Chrome, or another browser:
Any webpage may be made into an application with its own dedicated window, taskbar icon, desktop shortcut, and Start menu shortcut by using the Install page as an app option included in the majority of Chromium-based browsers. For regularly used online programs like Gmail, it’s far more convenient, even if it’s still technically a web app.
Although the procedure is essentially the same for the majority of Chromium-based browsers, I’ll describe how to accomplish this using Google Chrome.
- Launch Google Chrome.
- Click the three-dots menu in the top-right corner.
- Choose the Install page as the app after choosing Cast, Save, and Share.
- Enter the app’s name in the Install this page as an app pop-up.
- To make the website an app, click Install.
A new window will appear automatically with your new application. It may be opened via Windows search, the taskbar, or the Start menu. This function is also accessible on MacOS.
It is possible to install some websites as Progressive Web Apps (PWAs). PWAs provide webpages with their own window with a more native app-like experience and frequently include extra features like offline support.
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Try The WebCatalog App.
The greatest third-party tool for converting web pages into applications
A third-party program called WebCatalog offers a collection of well-known websites that you can install as desktop applications. Nearly all of the most well-known websites are available at the library, including Google Calendar, Instagram, YouTube, and Gmail. Just select one and set it up on your computer. You can make your own app if the library doesn’t include the website you desire.
Using WebCatalog, install a website as an application:
- Download and open WebCatalog.
- Choose the Create Custom App option after clicking the Create button.
- Add the website’s URL and give the app a name.
- To select an icon for the application, click Select Local Image.
- Click “Create.” WebCatalog will build a web application and download the required files. It might take a minute or two to complete this procedure.
WebCatalog applications are self-contained and use their own browser engine, Photon, in contrast to the browser technique. Because Photon is based on the Electron framework, which is based on Chromium, it works well with the majority of websites while keeping the applications isolated from one another and your primary browser.
This configuration increases WebCatalog’s security. Since every WebCatalog app has its own cookies, cache, and sessions, your WebCatalog applications won’t be impacted if something goes wrong with your normal browser. Additionally, WebCatalog eliminates the need to modify browser profiles by allowing you to establish several sessions for the same page.
Use Web2Desk
If you don’t mind the Web2Desk splash screen, this is a good choice.
Another tool that allows you to convert websites to desktop apps is Web2Desk, which allows you to create native app packages for desktop operating systems such as Windows, Linux, and MacOS. However, apps that are made with the service feature will have a Web2Desk splash screen, which you can remove for an additional $49.
To create a desktop app using Web2Desk:
- Go to the Web2Desk website.
- If you want to upload a custom icon from your computer, click Change. Otherwise, Web2Desk will automatically pull the logo from the website for the app icon.
- Enter your email address.
- Select Windows as the platform.
- To begin developing your software, click Create Desktop software. This may need some time.
- Click get to get the app bundle when it’s available. To start your software, double-click the app.exe file after extracting the downloaded zip file.
Read Also: Here’s How To Encrypt Your Email – in Outlook, Gmail, and other Popular Email Services.
Do More With Web Apps.
Although web apps are fantastic, desktop programs are frequently superior. They can occasionally be quicker and are more convenient. Any one of the four aforementioned techniques may be used to convert your preferred websites into Windows PC applications.
Nevertheless, web applications are gaining popularity over standalone programs and are surprisingly powerful. Spreadsheets may be transformed into interactive web applications, for instance, using certain technologies. We even succeeded in substituting an online application for Windows 11 and had a respectable experience.