How to Turn Apps for Websites On or Off in Windows 10 or 11

In this expert guide, you’ll learn how to turn apps for websites in Windows 10 or 11 on or off. The feature allows certain links to launch apps on your computer instead of simply displaying the content in the browser.

While useful in specific instances, some users may find this feature intrusive and inconvenient. With that in mind, understanding how to configure this setting can further streamline people’s workflows and ensure that they have intuitive and straightforward experiences with websites and their computers.

For a visual guide, watch How to Turn Apps for Websites in Windows On or Off.

What is the “apps for websites” feature?

Many websites have developed specific desktop apps for their users, usually available through app stores like the Microsoft Store. This allows websites to offer additional features and functionalities through the app that may not necessarily be possible through just a browser.

This feature can be seen implemented in Windows 11 and 10. Apps for websites is a native feature that allows web links to open in corresponding apps instead of a browser. So, if you click a link leading to a site like YouTube or Spotify, your computer will open the corresponding apps instead of having you navigate the streaming platforms from the browser.

How to turn on or off apps for websites

Turning the feature on or off is a relatively simple process, and there are multiple ways to do it. Here’s how:

Method 1: Using Windows Settings

The simplest way is to use the Windows Settings. Here’s how:

1. Go to the Start Menu, then Open Settings.
2. Click Apps in the sidebar. Find the Advanced app settings (Windows 11) or Apps for websites (Windows 10) option.
3. Look for the app you want to modify and switch the toggle on/off to allow it to/stop it from opening website links automatically.

Method 2: Modifying the Registry (for advanced users)

If you’re an advanced user, there’s a workaround that you can try using the Windows Registry if the first method didn’t work. Here’s how:

Note: Editing the registry can lead to unintended system configuration. Ensure you’re well-versed with the Registry Editor and back up your registry before proceeding. A website only appears as a subkey here after you’ve toggled its switch off and on once in Settings.

1. Open Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Associations\AppUrlAssociations.
3. Expand the subkey for the website you want to modify, then open the UserChoice subkey underneath it.
4. Double-click the Enabled DWORD value and change the value to:
   • 0 = Turn off apps for websites
   • 1 = Turn on apps for websites
5. Restart your computer to apply the change.

Method 3: Using Group Policy (for Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise users)

You can also modify apps for websites using the local group policy editor. Here’s how:

1. Open the Local Group Policy Editor.

• • Press Windows + R, type msc, and hit Enter.
  • Click the Start Menu, search for Edit Group Policy, and open the application.

2. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Apps for Websites.
3. Double-click Configure web-to-app linking with app URI handlers.
4. Select Enabled (to turn on apps for websites) or Disabled (to turn off apps for websites), then click OK.
5. Restart your computer to apply the change.

*Note: Setting the policy back to Not Configured returns the device to Windows’s default behavior instead of an explicit on or off state.

Uninstall unwanted apps (disable only option)

Another way to stop specific apps from opening links is by uninstalling the app itself. Keep in mind that you may lose data related to the application you wish to uninstall.

Once you’re sure it’s what you want to do, here’s a guide on how to do it:

1. Go to the Start Menu. Open Settings.
2. Find Apps in the sidebar. Go to the Installed Apps section.
3. Navigate to the app you want to uninstall, click the options menu, and select Uninstall.
4. Click through the menus if necessary. Once done, the app should be uninstalled from the computer.

What to watch for

• Editing the registry without a backup can affect other settings if you change the wrong key. Back up the registry first.
• Only edit the Enabled value under UserChoice. The Hash value is tied to that specific device, and copying it from another PC can break the Settings app.
• A Group Policy change applies to every user on that device, so use the Settings method instead on a personal or shared-use machine.

Why turn the Windows “apps for websites” feature on or off?

There are a lot of reasons a user might want to turn this feature on or off:

Reasons for turning it off

• To maintain consistency: Keeping all your links in one browser with multiple tabs is simpler for some users than switching between separate apps.
• For control and convenience: Browser extensions and customizations that streamline your workflow aren’t available inside a standalone app.
• For computer optimization: Each open app uses more memory and CPU than a single browser tab, which matters most on long, complex tasks.

Reasons for turning it on

• For a richer experience: Apps can offer notifications, deep links, and features a browser tab can’t, such as Teams call controls or Spotify media keys.
• For faster access: A link opens straight into an app you already have pinned or running, instead of loading inside a new browser tab.
• For easier multitasking: A frequently used service gets its own window and taskbar icon, which is often quicker to find and switch back to than a browser tab.

Conclusion

The “apps for websites” feature allows websites to launch certain applications when you click specific links. Some users may prefer to have this feature turned off, so it’s important to know how to manage it and how to turn it off. There are several ways to disable the feature. You can do it via the Settings, Registry Editor, or Group Policy Editor. Follow the steps above to successfully disable the feature and ensure an optimal experience with your web browser and apps.