After Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge has now got the support to run Progressive Web Apps (PWA)s at Startup on Windows and Mac.
Classic Edge doesn’t support PWAs, the New Microsoft Edge browser based on Chromium does. Microsoft is working to make PWAs more native on Windows. Their efforts can already be seen in the Edge Canary version on Windows 10 May 2020 Update.
While Microsoft is working on adding a slew of new features for PWAs in Edge browser such as App Icon shortcuts, Notifications support, customized title bar, Sharing support, Native File system access, Run on OS logon is one of them.
Recently, Google Chrome in Canary has got the ability to run PWAs on Windows Startup behind a flag, today, Microsoft Edge has gained the same flag in the Canary version 85.0.535.0.
The aim of the ” Run on OS login” feature, as the name suggests is to make PWAs auto-start on Startup.
This is made possible by offering a checkbox in the dialog that appears during a PWA install. When the user selects the option and clicks install, the App shortcut will be added to the Startup folder.
For instance, on Windows, the App shortcut will be created here: %APPDATA%MicrosoftWindowsStart MenuProgramsStartup..
Users who want to configure the startup of these apps need to open the Run dialog and enter the above path.
This is because, neither Edge or nor Chrome browser offers a setting in App options to control this, and Task manager also doesn’t show these app entries under the Startup tab to manage.
To auto-start Microfot Edge PWAs on Startup in Windows
1. Launch new Microsoft Edge browser
2. Visit edge://flags page
3. Search for “Desktop PWAs run on OS logon” without quotes
4. Select Enabled from the drop-down and restart the Edge browser.
5. Now navigate to true-PWA sites, such as Twitter or Google’s Squoosh.
6. Click on + icon indicator in the address bar and select “Start app when you sign in to your computer”
7. Click Install.
When you next start your device, PWAs will automatically open.
Related articles:
Chrome Canary now allows users to run PWAs on Startup in Windows
Chrome PWAs are getting Shortcuts Menu to access common tasks
How to Uninstall PWAs from Chrome and Microsoft Edge browsers
Microsoft Edge Chromium adds Jump List Support for PWAs on Windows 10
Microsoft Chromium Edge brings the Back button for PWAs before Google Chrome
