Two ways to give YouTube its own window.
YT Desktop is an independent app with native menus for playback, search, and window controls. A browser web app opens the YouTube website through your browser’s app feature. Neither approach turns YouTube videos into downloaded files.
| You want… | Start here |
|---|---|
| A dedicated app with YT Desktop’s menus | Windows installer or Mac / Linux installer |
| YouTube in an app window managed by Chrome | Browser web app |
| To watch immediately with no installation | Open YouTube in your browser |
How to install YouTube Desktop on a Windows laptop.
These steps are for 64-bit Windows 10 or Windows 11. They apply to compatible laptops from HP, Dell, Lenovo, ASUS, Acer, and other manufacturers.
- Check your system. Open Settings → System → About and look at the Windows version and system type. The supplied installer targets x64 computers.
- Get the installer. Go to the YT Desktop download page, continue through its options, and choose Windows. The file is named
windows-x64-setup.exe. - Run the setup file. Open your Downloads folder and launch it. Review the Windows prompts and follow the installer’s steps. Only proceed if the source matches the download you intended.
- Open YT Desktop. Find it in the Start menu. To make it easier to reach, right-click its Start entry and use the available pin option.
If Windows blocks the installer, read the specific warning and verify the source. A managed work or school laptop may require your administrator’s help. Do not turn off system protection to force it to run.
Installing on a MacBook or Linux laptop?
MacBook Air or MacBook Pro
Choose a DMG for your processor: Apple Silicon for M-series chips, or Intel for Intel Macs. Open the DMG and move the app to Applications. The Mac installation guide includes the minimum macOS versions and how to identify your chip.
Ubuntu or Debian laptop
Use the DEB package on a supported x86-64 system. The Linux installation guide covers Ubuntu 22.04+, Debian 12+, and the local package installation command.
Chromebook
The Windows, Mac, and Linux desktop installers listed here are not a ChromeOS installation route. Use YouTube in Chrome, or the browser web app option below.
Install YouTube as a Chrome web app.
If you prefer Chrome to manage the app window, you can install the YouTube page as a web app. This creates a browser-managed app rather than installing YT Desktop.
- Open youtube.com in Chrome on your computer.
- Open Chrome’s three-dot menu, then Cast, save, and share → Install page as app…. Some sites also show an install icon in the address bar.
- Follow the browser’s prompts. Launch the resulting app from your computer’s available app launcher or shortcut.
Menu availability can vary with Chrome and device policies. See Google’s web app instructions for current installation and removal steps. You still need an internet connection for normal YouTube streaming.
A few things to know.
Is downloading the app the same as downloading a video?
No. The installer adds the desktop application to your laptop. YT Desktop streams through YouTube and does not save videos for offline watching or provide MP3/MP4 conversion.
Do I need an Android emulator or an APK?
No. Use the desktop installer for your operating system, or the browser option above. An Android APK is not the Windows installer.
Do I have to sign in?
You can browse public videos signed out. YouTube may require an account for subscriptions, certain videos, or other account features. Sign-in happens through YouTube’s own interface.
Why won’t the downloaded file open?
Check that the download completed and that the file matches your operating system and processor. If you see a security or permissions message, follow that message or ask your device administrator. Contact us if you need help identifying the correct installer.