How to Pin a Website to the Taskbar
- Marco Baez Vergara
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read

We’ve all got that one website we use all the time — whether it’s your favorite project management tool, email inbox, or the news site you check 17 times a day. But if you’re still opening it by typing the URL every single time or hunting for it in bookmarks, you’re wasting precious seconds that add up fast.
There’s a smarter, faster way: pin the website to your taskbar.
It’s a small change that makes a big difference — especially if you're juggling multiple tools or working online.
The Problem: Constantly Opening the Same Site Is a Time-Suck
Think about your daily routine. How many times do you:
Open a browser
Type in a web address (or dig through bookmarks)
Wait for it to load
Finally start working
It might feel like nothing, but over weeks and months, that’s hours lost on a repetitive task. Plus, there’s a mental cost — switching gears constantly adds up to burnout, especially for remote workers or anyone who works on a computer all day.
This problem has a simple fix: treat your most-used website like an app. And just like apps, websites can live right in your taskbar for one-click access.
The Solution: Pinning a Website to the Taskbar
Here’s the plan — and we’ll cover Windows, macOS, and all the major browsers (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari):
Windows + Chrome
Windows + Edge
Windows + Firefox
macOS + Safari
macOS + Chrome or Edge
Bonus: Turn any website into a desktop app
Let’s break it down step by step.
Windows: Pin Website to Taskbar Using Google Chrome
Open the website in Chrome.
Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
Hover over "More tools", then click “Create shortcut…”
In the popup, check “Open as window” and hit Create.
A windowed version of the site opens — it looks like an app.
Right-click the icon on your taskbar and choose “Pin to taskbar.”
Now, it’s there for good — one click and you’re in.
Windows: Pin Website with Microsoft Edge
Edge actually makes this even smoother:
Open the site in Edge.
Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
Select "Apps" → "Install this site as an app".
Give it a name and hit Install.
Edge creates a standalone app version of the website.
Right-click the new icon in the taskbar and pin it.
This works beautifully with Microsoft services like Outlook or Teams, but you can use it with anything — Gmail, Notion, Figma, you name it.
Windows: What About Firefox?
Firefox doesn't support "installing" websites as apps like Chrome or Edge. But you can create a shortcut that pins to the taskbar:
Open the site in Firefox.
Resize your browser so you can see part of your desktop.
Drag the lock icon (next to the URL) to your desktop.
Now right-click that new desktop shortcut and choose “Pin to taskbar.”
It doesn’t open in a windowed mode like the others, but it works for fast access.
macOS: Safari Users, You’ve Got Options
While Safari doesn't support direct taskbar pinning, you can pin a site to your Dock:
Open the site in Safari.
Click and drag the URL from the address bar to the right side of your Dock (next to the trash).
That’s it — one-click access from the Dock.
If you want it to feel more like an app, try creating a shortcut with Automator or third-party tools like Fluid.
macOS: Chrome or Edge
If you prefer Chrome or Edge on Mac, you can use the same process as on Windows:
Go to the site in Chrome or Edge.
Click the three-dot menu > More Tools > Create shortcut / Install as app.
Name it and choose Open as window.
Chrome/Edge will place it in your Applications folder.
From there, drag it to your Dock.
Even better? You can set it to auto-launch when you log in.
Bonus: Turn a Website Into a Full-Fledged Desktop App
Want to go all in? Use tools like:
These apps let you turn any website into a dedicated desktop app — perfect if you juggle multiple accounts or want cleaner multitasking.
Why This Tiny Hack Matters More Than You Think
It’s easy to dismiss this as a “lazy person trick.” But here’s the deal:
Less friction = more focus. You remove the small delays that break flow.
Mental energy is precious. The fewer decisions and clicks, the better.
It’s the digital equivalent of decluttering. Cleaner workspace = clearer mind.
For people working online — designers, developers, writers, marketers — this is low-hanging productivity fruit.
The Risk of Not Doing It: Death by 1000 Tabs
If you don’t make this change, here’s what you’re likely dealing with:
Dozens of open tabs — making your browser slow and your mind cluttered.
Frequent distractions while you hunt for a site and end up scrolling social media.
Extra clicks and repetitive actions that silently drain your energy.
A less optimized workflow, especially if you’re on a laptop and constantly multitasking.
The worst part? You might think you’re being productive — but these tiny inefficiencies can eat up entire days over the course of a year.
Take Action: Pin That Site, Save Your Sanity
It takes two minutes to set up, and once you do, it’s done.
Pick one site you use every single day — maybe:
Gmail
Notion
Trello
LinkedIn
YouTube (if you use it for work, of course 😉)
Your company dashboard
Then follow the steps above and pin it. Trust me — your future self will thank you.
Extra Tip: Organize Your Taskbar Like a Pro
Once you’re in the flow, take it further:
Group related sites/apps next to each other
Use icons only (right-click the taskbar > Taskbar settings)
Pin your file folders or drives for even faster access
Remove apps you don’t use daily — keep it clean
Think of it as your digital control panel. The cleaner and faster it is, the smoother your
workday runs.
Final Thoughts
Pinning a website to your taskbar seems like a small thing, but it’s one of those tweaks that makes a huge difference over time. It saves you clicks, keeps you focused, and removes unnecessary digital clutter.
In a world where distractions are everywhere and time feels more precious than ever, this is one of those changes that just makes sense.