Guide: How to Install/Uninstall PWAs in Edge Browser
I love Progressive Web Apps because they help me stay focused and productive on the web. They provide enhanced capabilities such as offline support, notifications, and more. I’ve been using them in Google Chrome for a while now, and I’m really impressed with the implementation of PWAs in Microsoft’s revamped browser.
Chromium on Microsoft Edge makes it easy to install progressive web apps on your desktop. For sites that don’t feature native PWA support, you can still choose to install them as PWAs by force. Better yet, Microsoft Edge Chromium also installs PWAs in a way that integrates them into Windows itself (via the system registry).
Sounds like a lot of work, right? If you’re also interested in working with PWAs in Microsoft Edge and Chromium, you can install them as follows. And if you’re looking for a way to delete them, you can find out more here.
Install PWAs in Microsoft Edge Chromium
Microsoft Edge Chromium offers three ways to install websites as progressive web apps. The first method walks you through it how to install websites with native PWA functionality. The second method shows you how to forcibly install any site as a PWA. And the third method shows you how to reinstall PWAs that were not completely removed from your desktop before.
1. Install native PWAs
Whenever you navigate to a website with native PWA functionality, Microsoft Edge Chromium automatically provides you with the means to install it. Just look at the right corner of the address bar and you should see a ‘+’ shaped installation icon. Click It. On the floating box that can then be seen up, click Install.
The website will be launched as a PWA app. You will also find an icon for the PWA (with the logo of the website) on your desktop, which you can use to open the PWA at any time later.
2. Create PWAs under duress
PWAs are still quite uncommon. That means the chances for your favorite site or web app to provide PWA support are pretty slim. But don’t let that stop you from forcibly installing a site like a PWA. While you won’t get the under-the-hood benefits of using a real PWA, the ability to launch a website in the dedicated window (complete with a desktop icon to boot) is ideal if staying focused is a priority. ..
With the website open, point to Apps and click on the Install this site as an app option.
Confirmation dialog: Install the site and enjoy your new PWA!
3. Recreate PWA shortcuts
If you previously installed a PWA and it has been discontinued, you can uninstall it by launching the Edge Apps Launcher and type edge: // apps in the address bar.
You will then see a list of all Edge PWAs on your desktop. Right-click the PWA you want to add back to the desktop, then click Pin to.
On the confirmation dialog that appears up, check the box next to Desktop and click Pin.
To create a shortcut to the PWA on the taskbar, check the box next to Pin to taskbar. ..
Remove PWAs in Microsoft Edge Chromium
Microsoft Edge Chromium offers three ways to remove PWAs: The first method will walk you through removing a PWA using the PWA itself. The second method shows you how to use the Edge Apps Launcher to remove PWAs with ease. And the third method shows you how to delete PWAs just like any other Windows app.
1. Delete via PWA menu
An Edge PWA cannot be completely removed by removing the shortcut from the desktop. Instead, start by starting the PWA. Once loading is complete, click on the vertical three-dot icon in the top right corner of the PWA window. On the context menu that appears up, click Delete. ..
Confirmation dialog: Do you want to clear the cookies and cache related to the PWA?
To remove a PWA from your desktop, click Delete. ..
2. Uninstall via Apps Launcher
To delete a PWA:
- Open the Edge Apps management console (type edge: // apps in the address bar and press Enter).
- In the left pane, under “PWAs,” select the PWA you want to delete.
- In the right pane, under “Details,” click “Remove.”
- If you have already removed the desktop icon of the PWA, or if you want to delete multiple PWAs without loading them up, click “Remove multiple.” ..
Right-click a PWA in the list and click Delete to delete it.
The confirmation dialog that appears up asks if you want to clear cookies and cache related to the PWA. If you check the box next to “Also clear data from Microsoft Edge,” then the PWA will be deleted.
3. Delete via apps and Features
Chromium tightly integrates PWAs with Windows through the system registry. That’s why you can also use the Apps & Features console in Windows 10 (or Programs and Features in Windows 8 & 8.1) to remove PWAs just like any other Windows program. ..
Right-click the Start menu, then click Apps and Features (or Programs and Features in Windows 8 and 8.1). Select the PWA you want to delete and click Delete.
Windows will remove the PWA from your computer. ..
PWAs – the future
With Microsoft Edge Chromium, you can work with websites in a convenient and productive way. The rise in popularity for PWAs suggests that they will get better and better over time with improved functionalities. So, what are you planning to use PWAs for? Share your thoughts in comments below.
Did you know that you can install any Google Chrome extension in the Chromium version of Microsoft Edge? Here is How to install Chrome extensions in Microsoft Edge Chromium.
How to Install/Uninstall PWAs in Edge Browser: benefits
Faq
Final note
This guide will show you how to install and uninstall PWAs (short for “progressive web apps”) in the Edge browser. If you have any questions about this article, feel free to ask us in the comments below. Additionally, please share this article with your friends if you enjoyed it! ..
If you have any queries about the How to Install/Uninstall PWAs in Edge Browser guide, then please ask us through the comment section below or directly contact us. If you want to correct any misinformation about the guide, then please contact us.
