Maybe you built it with AI. Maybe it's an internal tool. Maybe it's a business idea that deserves to ship as a proper Windows program. I convert web apps into real .exe or MSIX packages — installable, distributable, and ready for the Microsoft Store if you want it there.
The internet makes desktop conversion sound like a single command. It isn't. The tutorials skip the parts that actually matter — and that's where most conversions fail.
Electron apps bundle their own Chromium, so a "small" web tool ends up as a 90MB+ installer [citation:1]. Users notice. Conversion should match the app, not force a heavy default.
Unsigned EXEs trigger Windows "protected your PC" warnings. Users abandon installs at the sight of them. Code signing isn't optional for real distribution [citation:7].
Many web apps assume the internet. Wrapped as desktop apps, they crash when offline instead of failing gracefully — a hard fail in Microsoft Store certification [citation:4].
Web apps update automatically. Desktop apps don't. Without an update mechanism, users are stuck on old versions indefinitely — unless you build one in.
Microsoft Store requires MSIX packaging, a privacy policy, proper metadata, and passing certification checks [citation:4][citation:12]. A raw Electron .exe won't get you there.
Some apps need Electron's bundled runtime. Some need Tauri's light footprint. Some just need a WebView2 wrapper. Choosing wrong affects size, speed and future maintenance [citation:1][citation:13].
There's no single right answer. The right approach depends on the app, the audience and where you plan to distribute it.
Bundles Chromium and Node.js inside the app. Largest installer (~90MB+), but the app runs identically on every Windows machine regardless of what's installed [citation:1].
Uses the system's native webview (WebView2 on Windows). Tiny installers (~5-10MB) with fast startup and modern OS integration [citation:1]. Requires the target machine to have WebView2 — which modern Windows 10/11 does.
Direct wrapping of the web app using Microsoft's WebView2 engine, either through Nativefier or lighter CLI tools like Brix [citation:5][citation:13]. Fastest conversion for simple apps that just need a window and an icon.
Which approach for you? I assess the app first, then recommend. A static site or simple tool doesn't need a 90MB Electron bundle. A complex app with native file access might. The decision is driven by what your app actually does — not by what's easiest to Google.
A working executable is the starting point, not the deliverable. These are the pieces that make the app usable and distributable.
MSI, EXE installer or MSIX — depending on your distribution target. Includes proper uninstall entries, file associations and shortcuts where relevant.
Guidance and setup for signing with a standard or EV certificate. Unsigned apps trigger Windows SmartScreen — signed ones install cleanly [citation:3][citation:7].
Options for auto-updates so your users don't get stuck on old versions. Includes MSIX automatic updates where applicable [citation:2][citation:10].
MSIX packaging, metadata, privacy policy setup and certification preparation — so you can submit with confidence [citation:4].
Windows, macOS and Linux from the same codebase where the tools support it. One project, multiple targets.
Clear notes on how the app is built, how to rebuild it, where the signing key is stored, and how to update it later. No black boxes.
Structured, honest and paced. If the app isn't a good fit, I'll say so before you spend money.
You share access to the web app or its source. I assess what it actually does — offline behaviour, server dependencies, browser-specific APIs — and recommend whether a clean conversion is realistic or whether adjustments are needed.
Based on the review, I recommend Electron, Tauri or a lighter wrapper, plus the packaging format (EXE, MSI, MSIX). You receive a written proposal with the approach, scope, timeline and fixed price.
Wrapping the web app in the chosen runtime, generating the desktop executable, and packaging it into an installer. Offline handling, error states and window configuration are set up correctly from the start.
Code signing setup, SmartScreen readiness, and testing on clean Windows machines — the ones that don't have your development tools installed. Most problems only show up there.
Installation, first-run experience, offline behaviour and uninstall tested across Windows versions. If you're targeting the Microsoft Store, we run through the pre-certification checklist.
You receive the installer, the source, the signing key (securely handed to you), and documentation on how to rebuild and update. Everything belongs to you.
Most web apps can be converted, but not all. Static sites, single-page apps (React, Vue, Svelte) and simple web tools convert very easily. Apps that rely heavily on browser-specific features, server-side rendering, or complex authentication flows may need adjustments. I assess the app first and tell you honestly whether a clean conversion is realistic or whether adjustments are needed.
Electron bundles its own copy of Chromium and Node.js inside every app, so the installer is large (~90MB+) but the app runs identically everywhere [citation:1]. Tauri uses the operating system's native webview (WebView2 on Windows, WebKit on macOS), so installers are much smaller (~5-10MB) but rely on the OS having a modern webview available. WebView2 is Microsoft's embeddable webview component that Tauri and other tools use on Windows. The right choice depends on your priorities: maximum compatibility and size versus small installer and modern Windows integration.
Yes — if the app's core features don't require server-side processing. A tool that runs entirely in the browser (calculators, editors, note apps) will work offline once packaged. An app that needs a backend API will still need the internet for those features. The packaging itself doesn't change what the app can do; it changes how it's delivered.
MSIX is Microsoft's modern app packaging format, combining the best of MSI, .appx, App-V and ClickOnce [citation:10]. MSIX packages are required for the Microsoft Store, but they're also useful for direct distribution because they support clean installs, automatic updates, and safe uninstallation. If you want your app in the Microsoft Store, MSIX is the format you need.
Not strictly — but unsigned EXEs trigger Windows SmartScreen warnings and antivirus false positives [citation:7]. For any app distributed to real users, a code signing certificate (preferably EV — Extended Validation) is essential. It verifies your identity as the publisher and prevents the "Windows protected your PC" warning that loses installers. I can walk you through the signing process or handle it directly.
Yes. Tools like Electron and Tauri support Windows, macOS and Linux from the same codebase [citation:1]. The conversion approach is the same; only the build target changes. If you want multi-platform distribution, that's entirely possible from one project — though each platform has its own packaging and signing requirements (Microsoft Store, Apple App Store, Linux distribution formats).
Tell me what you built, what it runs on, and where you want to distribute it — direct download, Microsoft Store, or both. I'll tell you honestly what approach makes sense and what it costs.
Feasibility check first · Fixed-price conversion · Windows, Mac & Linux