[Tip] How to Remove Apps Added by PWA Install Button in Address bar of Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge

In this article, we’ll tell you how to uninstall and remove web apps which were installed or added by clicking on PWA install button present in the address bar of Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge web browsers.

Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge web browsers come with built-in support for PWA (Progressive Web Apps). PWA apps are actually web-based applications which work and display like traditional desktop programs. You can launch them by clicking on their shortcuts present on Desktop or pinned on Start Menu or Taskbar. In other words, PWA apps are online apps developed to work like native Windows apps.

Following screenshot shows Twitter PWA running in Windows 10 operating system:

Advertisement

PWA_Progressive_Web_App_Installed_Using_Google_Chrome_Microsoft_Edge.png

Many websites provide their PWA app so that users can install them in their web browser to use them later. Every website needs to put dedicated code to implement PWA support. To help users in finding whether a website provides installable PWA app or not, Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge web browsers automatically detect PWA support on the website and if a website supports PWA format, both browsers display a PWA install button in their address bars (or URL bars).

Following screenshots display the PWA install button showing in address bar of Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge web browsers.

When Google Chrome finds PWA app available on a website, it displays PWA install button with the label “Install” along with a download icon near favorite icon in its address bar as shown in following screenshot:

PWA_Install_Button_Address_Bar_Google_Chrome.png

When Microsoft Edge detects PWA app available on a website, it displays PWA install button with the label “App available” along with a plus icon near favorite icon in its address bar as shown in following screenshot:

PWA_Install_Button_Address_Bar_Microsoft_Edge.png

Advertisement

Users can click on the PWA install button showing in the address bar of their web browser and install the PWA app of the website in their computer system. Once they install the PWA app, it adds its shortcut on Desktop and Start Menu.

Although PWA apps are useful but some people don’t want to install these apps in their web browsers and they find the PWA install button showing in the address bar annoying and unnecessary. Many readers have asked me how to get rid of the PWA install button showing in address bar of these web browsers?

Unfortunately, Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge don’t provide any way to hide or remove the PWA install button from address bar as the functionality is hardcoded and the availability of the button depends upon the website code.

But if you accidentally installed or added any PWA app by clicking on the PWA install button in these web browsers, there are many easy ways to uninstall and remove these PWA apps from your computer system.

Following are a few methods to uninstall and remove apps added using PWA install button in Chrome and Edge address bar:

METHOD 1: Using the PWA App 3-dots Menu

You can remove the PWA app using the app itself.

1. Launch the installed PWA app and click on the 3-dots menu present in the title bar of the app.

Uninstall_Remove_PWA_App_Using_Menu_Bar_Google_Chrome.png

2. Now click on Uninstall option present in the menu and it’ll remove the app from your web browser and computer system.

METHOD 2: Using Start Menu Programs List

You can also uninstall the PWA app using Start Menu programs list.

1. Open Start Menu and find the PWA app in the all programs list.

2. Right-click on the PWA app shortcut and click on Uninstall option.

Uninstall_Remove_PWA_App_Using_Windows_10_Start_Menu_All_Programs_List.png

It’ll remove the app immediately.

METHOD 3: Using Windows 10 Settings App

You can also uninstall the PWA app using Apps & features page of Windows 10 Settings app just like any other native software program.

1. Open Settings app from Start Menu or by pressing WIN+I keys together.

2. Now go to “Apps -> Apps & features” section.

PS: Alternatively, You can directly launch this page using “ms-settings:appsfeatures” command in RUN dialog box as mentioned here.

3. In right-side pane, under “Apps & features” section, look for the installed PWA app.

4. Once you find the PWA app, click on the app and you’ll get Uninstall button.

Uninstall_Remove_PWA_App_Using_Windows_10_Settings_App.png

Click on the uninstall button and it’ll remove the PWA app from your computer system.

PS: If I find any working way to remove PWA install button from the address bar of these web browsers, I’ll share the method definitely.

Also Check:

[Tip] How to Hide or Remove “Apps” and “Reading List” Buttons from Chrome Bookmarks bar

[Tip] Remove “Search Tabs” Arrow Button from Title bar in Google Chrome

[Fix] Microsoft Edge (MSEdge.exe) Always Keeps Running in Background Even After Closing the Browser

[Tip] How to Restore Classic Download Panel at Bottom in Microsoft Edge

Published in: Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead. Be the first one to start the discussion.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

NOTE: Your comment may not appear immediately. It'll become visible once we approve it.