Microsoft Edge is laying the groundwork for in-browser PWA app stores

Microsoft is testing a new way to install web apps in Edge that could make the process feel more natural. Instead of using the small install button in the browser’s address bar, websites may soon add their own install buttons right on the page.

This update is part of Microsoft’s ongoing work on the Web Install API. Recent developer versions of Edge now support a new HTML install element.

In simple terms, this means one website could let users install another web app. A developer could add an install button to a page, and when someone clicks it, Edge would handle installing the chosen Progressive Web App.

This feature could help websites that serve as web app directories. For example, a site listing small games, productivity tools, or company apps could put an install button next to each one, so visitors wouldn’t have to open each app separately to install it.

According to Microsoft’s documentation, this feature lets websites install other web apps directly. While the official explanation is technical, the main idea is simple: a webpage could serve as a mini-storefront for PWAs without requiring a separate app or using the browser’s address bar.

However, giving websites this much control could cause problems. Most people don’t want every site they visit to show constant prompts to install an app.

Luckily, Microsoft has considered this and added restrictions. The browser can block it if the install button doesn’t meet certain rules, like being clearly visible, not hidden, and not recently moved on the page.

The installation process is not fully automatic. Edge still shows a permission prompt before installing the app, so a website can’t secretly add an app to your computer in the background.

Right now, this feature is experimental and can be tested by enabling a flag in Edge version 153 or newer. There’s no guarantee it will stay the same before Microsoft decides to release it more widely.

Speaking of experimental Edge features, Microsoft has been spending quite a bit of time lately on changes that push the browser beyond simply displaying webpages. The company has been working on WebMCP, for example, which is designed to give AI agents a more structured way of interacting with websites.

PWAs have existed for years, but installing them on desktop computers often feels like an afterthought. Allowing websites to add their own install buttons could make things easier, especially for sites that offer or suggest multiple web apps.

For now, though, you’ll need a preview version of Edge and the right experimental flag to test this feature.

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