In addition to Office 365 and Office 2019, Microsoft also provides a free version of the apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Calendar, People, and OneDrive), but these are web versions of the apps, which you can only use on a web browser with an internet connection.

However, if you don’t have a subscription to use the desktop version of the Office apps, and you prefer a more classic experience, you can use Google Chrome to install the apps on Windows 10 as Progressive Web Apps (PWAs). This is similar to installing web apps with Microsoft Edge Chromium, but without the same level of integration, as using Edge, apps will register in the Start menu, and you get the ability to uninstall web apps just like regular apps from the Settings app.

Progressive Web Apps is a technology that allows websites to deliver an app-like experience to the end-user, such as the ability to work offline, notifications, automatic updates, easy installation and uninstallation, and various other features. However, it’s up to the developer to implement these functionalities.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to install the web version of Office apps as regular desktop applications on Windows 10.

How to install Office web apps on Windows 10

To install Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or Outlook web apps, use these steps:

  • Open Google Chrome.
  • Navigate to the Office web app you want to install. For example, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or Outlook.
  • Quick tip: If you install the web app using the start page, when creating a new document, you’ll see a secondary address bar below the title bar. If you don’t want to see this bar, you can use the link to a new document, then you can always click the file menu to create a new document.
  • Click the Settings and more button from the top-right.
  • Select the More tools menu.
  • Click the Create shortcut option.
  • Google Chrome create shortcut option to install Office apps
  • (Optional) Specify a short descriptive name for the site.
  • Google Chrome installing Word web app on Windows 10
  • Check the Open as window option.
  • Click the Create button.

Once you complete the steps, you may need to repeat the instructions to install the remaining apps, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. After the installation the apps will be available as shortcuts in the desktop folder.

Open Google Chrome.

Navigate to the Office web app you want to install. For example, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or Outlook.

Click the Settings and more button from the top-right.

Select the More tools menu.

Click the Create shortcut option.

Google Chrome create shortcut option to install Office apps

(Optional) Specify a short descriptive name for the site.

Google Chrome installing Word web app on Windows 10

Check the Open as window option.

Click the Create button.