How to Install Google Maps on Windows PC

Google Maps works well on Android and iOS devices. However, the company does not offer a desktop app for Windows. Although Windows has a built-in Microsoft Maps app, many people still prefer Google Maps because of its ease of use and excellent geographic database.

So, how do you use Google Maps on your Windows PC? The web version works fine, but you need to open a browser for it to work. Alternatively, you can install the web version using Chrome or Edge to use Google Maps as a desktop application. This article will show you how.

How to install Google Maps as a desktop app using Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge lets you install web apps or websites as Windows desktop apps. Using this feature, you can install the web version of Google Maps as a desktop app. Once installed, the Maps app opens in a separate window without opening the Edge browser. You can also pin the app to your taskbar and Start menu. Here's how.

To install Google Maps as a desktop app using Edge:

1. Launch the Edge browser and go to the Google Maps page .

2. Next, click the three-dot menu at the top right of the toolbar to open the context menu.

3. Go to Apps and select Install Google Maps .

4. Click Install to confirm the action in the pop-up dialog. Wait for Edge to install the app.

5. After installation, Google Maps will open in a new window. For initial setup, you can allow the app to Pin to taskbar , Pin to Start , Create a desktop shortcut and enable auto-start after login.

You can now launch and use Google Maps just like any desktop application on your system. It shows your timeline, recent and saved items, as well as contributions and location sharing support.

How to run Google Maps as a desktop application using Google Chrome

If you use Google Chrome as your daily search engine, you can use the browser to add Maps as a shortcut. Chrome's Create shortcut feature works similarly to Edge's settings app and lets you run web apps as desktop apps on your Windows computer.

To install Google Maps as a desktop application using Google Chrome:

1. Launch Google Chrome and go to the Google Maps page.

2. Next, click on the three-dot menu in the top right corner.

3. Go to More Tools and select Create Shortcut .

4. In the Create shortcut dialog box , select the Open as window option . This will open the created shortcut in a new window. You can rename the application if you want or leave it as default.

5. Click Create .

6. Once installed, the application will open a new window that offers a similar set of functions as the web version of Google Maps.

You can also pin the Maps app to your taskbar and Start menu. To do this, press the Win key to open Windows Search and search for maps. Right-click the Google Maps shortcut and select Pin to Start or Pin to Taskbar .

While the web apps work well, they lack a few features, including the ability to download offline maps. If you want to run the app natively on Windows, consider using an Android emulator or installing the Google Play Store on Windows to install the app directly from the official store.