Install site as an App for all users

Question

Is it possible to create an 'App' of a website in Chromium Edge using the "Install this site as an app" function in a way that it can be made available to all users on a computer?

This is a feature I use myself all the time, and I'd like to set it up for others too.

Answer 1

I've done a test of this, and thought I'd share my results.

Firstly, I installed a site as an app to create a template to work from.  Then, I created a new RemoteApp with a path of "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\msedge_proxy.exe"  I set the Required Command Line for the App to "--app-id=<App ID created by desktop shortcut created by Edge>" (It didn't take when setting initially via Powershell, I had to manually add this in using server manager).  I also had to manually specify an icon for it, as it didn't pick one up from the .exe path I gave it, and wouldn't proceed without.

Then, I published it, and tested it with a couple of user accounts.  To my surprise, it actually worked for both users.

However - it only changes the window colour to Grey, rather than the main colour of the icon that I get on the client side (although, this is probably because the RD Session Host it's running on is only Windows Server 2012 R2).  Also, anyone who has access to the app has access to 'Uninstall <site>' from the menu, which breaks it for all users.

There's also a potential security issue that anyone with access to the full Edge app could navigate to edge://apps, and see (and launch) all the apps that are on the system, whether they're supposed to or not.

So, all in all - yes it's possible, but just not very practical.

Answer 2

Hi Gary_Burch, my name is Felipe Lucas, Independent Advisor and Microsoft Windows user like you.

I'll be happy to help you.

When you install a website as an App on Microsoft Edge, those Apps will be saved on the profile that is logged in. (the profile is associated to a Microsoft Account).

So the other users will have to also Install the websites they want as an app, or login with your profile to access the ones you saved.

You can also log into any other computer with your account on Microsoft Edge and have access to your favorites, apps, etc.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

___________________________

Felipe Lucas

Independent Advisor

Answer 3

Hi Gary_Burch, 

Yes, this is possible, I think, with a bit of digging. The concept is there. 

Firstly, we will need to install the app as a site. I am guessing you know how to do that already. 

Once that is done, copy the app and paste it into the users files by:

File explorer > This PC > C Drive > Users > Click on the user to transfer to > Press Desktop > Paste it there. 

Hopefully this works!

Answer 4

So, the idea is for use on an RD Session Host server, I'd like to be able to install a browser based application as an 'app' in Edge (as I do frequently on my own machine), but Publish the app as a RemoteApp for everyone who has access to the RDSH Pool.

It sounds like this isn't possible at the moment.  Instead, I've published 'msedge.exe' as the app, with an enforced command line parameter of the URL to the application.  Not quite the same user experience, but the closest I can manage at the moment.

Answer 5

A very valid question.... if we want to make an App for awebsite... is it work like other normal apps or not.