Gmail doesn’t have an official Windows app, but you can still put a Gmail icon on your Windows 11 desktop that opens your inbox in one click. The best way is to install Gmail as an app from Chrome or Edge. That gives you a real Gmail icon, its own window, and the option to pin it to the taskbar and Start menu. This guide also covers a plain desktop shortcut, a custom icon, and fixes for a blank or generic icon.
Quick Answer
Chrome: open mail.google.com, click ⋮ > Cast, save, and share > Install page as app (or Create shortcut, with Open as window checked).
Edge: open Gmail, click ⋯ > Apps > Install this site as an app, then allow Create Desktop shortcut.
Any browser: right-click the desktop, choose New > Shortcut, enter https://mail.google.com, and name it Gmail.
Method 1: Install Gmail as an App in Chrome
- Open Chrome and go to mail.google.com. Sign in.
- Click the three-dot menu ⋮.
- Choose Cast, save, and share, then Install page as app, or Create shortcut in some versions. On older versions, look under More tools.
- Name it Gmail. If you chose Create shortcut, check Open as window.
- Click Install or Create.
Chrome adds Gmail to the Start menu and usually to the desktop. If there’s no desktop icon, open chrome://apps, right-click Gmail, and choose Create shortcuts > Desktop.
Method 2: Install Gmail as an App in Edge
- Open Microsoft Edge and sign in to mail.google.com.
- Click ⋯ (Settings and more) > Apps > Install this site as an app.
- Name it Gmail and click Install.
- In the window that appears, check Create Desktop shortcut (and Pin to taskbar if you want), then click Allow.
Method 3: Plain Desktop Shortcut (Any Browser)
- Right-click an empty area of the desktop and choose New > Shortcut.
- Type
https://mail.google.comand click Next. - Name it Gmail and click Finish.
This opens Gmail in your default browser as a normal tab. The icon shows as your browser’s logo, but you can change it (see below).
Shortcut: in any browser, drag the padlock icon from the address bar onto the desktop to create the same kind of link.
Compare the Options
| Method | Gmail icon | Own window | Pin to taskbar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chrome app | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Edge app | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop shortcut | No (browser icon unless changed) | No (browser tab) | Not directly |
| Outlook or another email app with your Gmail account | That app’s icon | Yes | Yes |
Pin Gmail to the Taskbar or Start Menu
- For the Chrome or Edge app, open Gmail, right-click its taskbar icon, and choose Pin to taskbar.
- In the Start menu, right-click Gmail and choose Pin to Start.
Change the Shortcut Icon
- Save a Gmail-style icon file in .ico format to a permanent folder, such as Documents.
- Right-click the desktop shortcut and choose Properties.
- On the Web Document or Shortcut tab, click Change Icon, browse to the .ico file, and click OK.
Get Notifications Without Opening a Browser Tab
In Gmail, click the gear icon, choose See all settings, and set Desktop notifications to New mail notifications on. Allow notifications when your browser asks. Installed Gmail apps can show notifications when their window is open, and sometimes in the background, depending on browser settings.
Prefer the taskbar? See how to pin Gmail to the taskbar.
Troubleshooting
“Install page as app” isn’t available
Update Chrome or Edge. Also make sure you’re on mail.google.com and not in an Incognito or InPrivate window.
The icon is blank or shows a generic page
Delete the shortcut, reinstall it while signed in to Gmail, and restart Windows Explorer from Task Manager.
The shortcut opens the wrong Google account
Use an account-specific address, such as https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1/ for your second signed-in account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an official Gmail app for Windows 11?
No. Google offers Gmail on the web and on phones. The installed web app (Methods 1 and 2) is the closest option.
Can I use the Outlook app with Gmail instead?
Yes. Add your Gmail account to Outlook for Windows to get a desktop email app with notifications.
How do I remove the Gmail app?
Right-click Gmail in the Start menu and choose Uninstall, or delete the desktop shortcut.
Summary
- Chrome: ⋮ > Cast, save, and share > Install page as app.
- Edge: ⋯ > Apps > Install this site as an app, then allow the desktop shortcut.
- Any browser: New > Shortcut with
https://mail.google.com. - Pin it to the taskbar and turn on Gmail desktop notifications.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.