How to run YouTube on Windows 10 without using a browser

YouTube Icon

We all know YouTube, and can only be accessed at a browser (www.youtube.com)

But have you ever tried watching YouTube videos on Windows 10 as a desktop app? Watching YouTube on desktop is much faster and easier than watching it on your browser.

So I made one, but not actually “developed” it, but more like “converted” it, because I found the best FREE website to desktop app quickly

I used Nativefier, and Nativefier use Electronjs, Electronjs is a desktop app that lets you build desktop apps by using HTML, CSS, JS, etc. And Nativefier converts websites into desktop apps, and that’s why Nativefier use Electronjs

Both Nativefier and Electronjs are FREE, no free trial, no fees, no subscriptions, etc.

I also made an auto-install (setup wizard) for this YouTube app, and I used Inno Setup Complier, which is also completely FREE

There are differences:

Desktop app:

Fast-easy access, one-click access

Medium WIFI speed = high speed performance (if you have a medium-end PC)

Opened as a Window

Browser:

Medium WIFI speed = medium speed performance

Opened inside the browser’s tab

Needs to open your browser, and go to youtube.com

Similarities:

They're both YouTube

They’re both free (but YT premium is not free)

They both need WIFI

Saves logged-in Google accounts

Any other YouTube utilites/features YouTube should have

Tab/app name (pictures below)

So finally, how to open YouTube as a Windows 10 app? (Windows 10)

1. Install the setup wizard (made by me, I used GitHub Pages)
2. Open and run the setup wizard
3. Click “I accept the agreement”, then click “Next”
4. Read the notes, then click “Next”
5. Choose a root folder to install the app, and/or just click “Next”
6. NOTE: at least 322.3 MB of free space is required
7. You can choose to create a desktop shortcut or not, then click “Next”
8. You will see a list of tasks, then click “Install”
9. Wait for the installation to be completed, it should be a few minutes
10. You will see a note, read it (you will need it), then click “Next”
11. You have successfully install YouTube for Desktop
12. You can launch YouTube now or later

See? easy, I also published the source code/manual download (.zip) at GitHub

So, can I also download it on macOS/Linux as well? yes, but you may have to listen CAREFULLY

Requirements:

macOS 10.9+, and Node.js > 12.9 and npm > 6.9

1. Find, open, and run your command line/command prompt
2. Type npm install -g nativefier
3. Wait for the installation to be complete
4. Type nativefier https://www.youtube.com/
5. It will tell you the root folder where it saved it
6. Open the file with the YouTube icon
7. Done