Transform Websites into Desktop Apps on Windows: 4 Best Methods

Let’s face it: a chunk of our digital life happens inside the confines of a browser these days. Whether you’re pounding away in Gmail, grabbing files from Google Drive, or hopping between meetings on Zoom, the browser often acts as both your desk and your doorway. But what if you’ve had enough of juggling browser tabs? What if you could make your favorite websites feel just like sleek, stand-alone apps?
Turns out, you can! With just a sprinkle of creativity (and the right tools), Windows users can transform the websites they frequent into dedicated desktop apps—and the benefits are pretty compelling.
Let’s dive into the four best ways to make this happen.

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1. Install Official Desktop Apps (Yes, They Exist!)​

Before you go turning websites into desktop apps, it’s worth asking the big question: does this service already offer a native app? If you’re like me, you might have spent months switching between browser tabs for project management tools like Trello or Asana, only to learn there are desktop versions that are faster, more intuitive, and feature-rich.
Here are a few fan favorites with dedicated desktop versions for Windows:

• Productivity Apps:
  Trello, Airtable, Monday.com, Notion, Google Drive.
• Media Streaming:
  Netflix and TikTok (yes, Windows steals a lead over macOS by offering these as downloads).
• Social Media:
  LinkedIn, Discord, and Microsoft Teams.

With these apps, you save valuable RAM and enjoy benefits like offline functionality, features tailored for the desktop experience, and fewer distractions. Even YouTube once had a desktop option available in the Microsoft Store. While it wasn’t anything to write home about, services like this can help manage multimedia through standalone controls.

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2. Transform Websites Using Your Favorite Browser​

If you’re chasing that “app” feeling but a native version doesn’t exist, good news—your web browser likely has your back. Chromium-based browsers like Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and even Brave now let you turn websites into Progressive Web Apps (PWAs). PWAs are like websites wearing tuxedos: they’re slick, they operate in their own window, and they get a taskbar icon and desktop shortcut that scream "I mean business!"
Here’s how to create a desktop app using Google Chrome:

1. Open the website you want to install in Chrome.
2. Click the three-dot menu (top-right corner).
3. Navigate to More Tools and select Install this page as an app.
4. Type a name for your new "app" and hit Install.

Boom! Your website is now a desktop app, with seamless integration into your workflow. Chrome remembers this setup for the future, and some PWAs even enable offline use—it’s practically voodoo!
This process isn’t exclusive to Windows, either. MacOS users can also leverage this functionality for PWAs. It’s especially handy for platforms like Gmail or Trello, which benefit from running independently of browsers crammed with dozens of unused-tabs-you-swear-you’ll-get-to.

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3. Take It Up a Notch with Third-Party Tools Like WebCatalog​

Browser-based tools are excellent, and PWAs are shiny from the outside. However, if you want more—the Rolls Royce of website-to-desktop-app converters—look no further than WebCatalog. This third-party app not only converts websites into desktop apps but does so with staggering polish and functionality.

Unique Features of WebCatalog:​

• Each app runs on the Photon engine, a more secure, de-bloated browser engine based on Chromium.
• Apps are isolated in separate containers, ensuring they don’t share cookies, cache, or login sessions.
• You can run multiple instances of the same app. (Using two or more Gmail accounts side-by-side? No need to manually toggle between them!)

Here’s how to create your own app with WebCatalog:

1. Download WebCatalog from their official site.
2. Open the app and click the Create Custom App button.
3. Input your website URL, name your app, and customize its icon.
4. Click Create, and WebCatalog will handle the background magic.

Once installed, your web app behaves like any other native app, but without hogging system-wide browser resources. Plus, if your main browser crashes, WebCatalog apps won’t flinch!
Fun fact: WebCatalog even plays nicely with lesser-known services that browsers may struggle with. It’s great for those needing long-term stability and clean separations between apps.

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4. Get Creative with Web2Desk​

For a quick and simple solution that makes your websites shine as desktop apps, Web2Desk is here to save the day. While this service creates apps laden with a branded splash screen (non-removable unless you cough up $49), it works well if you’re just exploring the “websites as apps” idea casually.

How to Get Started with Web2Desk:​

1. Visit their website and enter the necessary information: website URL, app name, and platform (Windows in this case).
2. Upload an icon of your choice (or let Web2Desk grab a default logo for you).
3. Click the Create App button and wait for their system to do its thing.
4. Once ready, download your app package, extract the files, and launch your new .exe file.

Web2Desk is ideal for audiophiles and indie users wanting experimental apps or utilities for one-off services. But, for professionals or heavy users, the $49 splash-screen-free version adds some cred.

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Why Turn Websites into Desktop Apps?​

Convenience and performance are the main reasons to take the plunge. Desktop apps not only load faster than the traditional web experience but also reduce clutter by focusing just on the service at hand—no more distractions from extra browser tabs, random search bar suggestions, or pop-ups.
Moreover:

1. Offline Access: Many PWAs let users work even without an internet connection.
2. Integration: Websites as apps integrate directly with the Start menu, showing up in search results or pinned to taskbars.
3. Enhanced Security: Isolated web apps are great for containing sensitive work, whether you’re managing fintech dashboards or communicating with clients securely.

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Final Thoughts: Finding the Perfect Fit​

You have options—one size rarely fits all. If you want plug-and-play simplicity, desktop apps (when available) offer the most hassle-free way forward. Fancy control and customization? WebCatalog shines. And those who prioritize speed will find web browsers sufficient for creating handy PWAs.
At the end of the day, whether you're batch editing Google Sheets, scheduling meetings via Google Calendar, or scrolling endlessly through Instagram, these methods will streamline your workflow on Windows.
Let us know in the comments which method you’re leaning towards—and if you’ve found any clever tricks to turbocharge your app experience on Windows!

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Source: XDA 4 ways to use websites as desktop apps on Windows