Feature Request – Deploy Progressive Web Apps (PWA) via Intune for Microsoft Edge on Windows

Martin Fiil Hedegaard Larsen 0 Reputation points
2025-02-03T14:10:41.5133333+00:00

Dear Microsoft Intune Product Team

As SaaS applications become the standard for enterprise software, more business-critical applications are accessed exclusively via web browsers. IT administrators need centralized control over how these applications are deployed and managed across enterprise environments. Microsoft Intune currently lacks the capability to deploy Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) in the same manner as other managed applications, creating challenges for IT teams that require a structured and secure approach to application distribution.

Current Limitation

Microsoft Edge allows users to manually install websites as PWAs, which removes browser UI elements and provides an application-like experience. However, Intune does not provide a native mechanism to enforce or automate PWA deployment while ensuring granular access control.

Administrators can push Edge policies, configure bookmarks, and enforce homepages, but they cannot pre-install specific websites as PWAs automatically, nor can they control distribution per user or group. This results in inconsistent user experiences and unnecessary administrative overhead.

Why This Matters

Organizations are moving away from traditional desktop applications in favor of SaaS-based platforms that are accessible via a browser. The lack of centralized PWA deployment capabilities in Intune means that IT admins must:

  1. Rely on manual user actions – Difficult to enforce and monitor at scale.

Develop custom scripts – Unsupported, complex, and inefficient to maintain.

Utilize third-party tools – Introduces potential security and compliance risks.

To align with modern application management strategies, Intune must include a way to manage PWAs just like traditional applications.

Proposed Solution

We propose adding functionality to Microsoft Intune that allows IT administrators to:

Deploy PWAs as Managed Applications – Treat PWAs like Win32 or Microsoft Store apps.

Specify URLs for Automatic PWA Installation – Allow admins to define a set of approved web applications that should be installed automatically on managed Windows devices.

Control Access with Intune Groups – Ensure only authorized users or devices receive specific PWAs.

Manage and Remove PWAs Centrally – Allow IT to update or uninstall PWAs just like any other enterprise application.

Apply Configuration Policies – Enable options such as auto-launch, desktop shortcuts, and offline availability.

Differentiate Required vs. Available Apps – Provide IT with the ability to enforce required installations or allow users to install from the Company Portal.

Expected Benefits

Enterprise-Grade Application Management – PWAs become first-class managed applications within Intune.

Enhanced Security and Compliance – IT retains full control over which web applications users can install and use.

Improved Consistency and Standardization – Ensures uniform application deployment across all managed Windows devices.

Reduced Administrative Overhead – Eliminates reliance on user actions or scripting for PWA installation.

Future-Proofing IT Management – Aligns Intune with the industry-wide shift towards SaaS applications.

Given the growing reliance on SaaS platforms, this capability is increasingly critical for modern IT environments. We strongly encourage Microsoft to consider this feature for inclusion in Intune's future roadmap. Please let us know if further details or use cases are required.

**Best regards,**Dear Microsoft Intune Product Team,

As SaaS applications become the standard for enterprise software, more business-critical applications are accessed exclusively via web browsers. IT administrators need centralized control over how these applications are deployed and managed across enterprise environments. Microsoft Intune currently lacks the capability to deploy Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) in the same manner as other managed applications, creating challenges for IT teams that require a structured and secure approach to application distribution.

Current Limitation

Microsoft Edge allows users to manually install websites as PWAs, which removes browser UI elements and provides an application-like experience. However, Intune does not provide a native mechanism to enforce or automate PWA deployment while ensuring granular access control.

Administrators can push Edge policies, configure bookmarks, and enforce homepages, but they cannot pre-install specific websites as PWAs automatically, nor can they control distribution per user or group. This results in inconsistent user experiences and unnecessary administrative overhead.

Why This Matters

Organizations are moving away from traditional desktop applications in favor of SaaS-based platforms that are accessible via a browser. The lack of centralized PWA deployment capabilities in Intune means that IT admins must:

Rely on manual user actions – Difficult to enforce and monitor at scale.

Develop custom scripts – Unsupported, complex, and inefficient to maintain.

Utilize third-party tools – Introduces potential security and compliance risks.

To align with modern application management strategies, Intune must include a way to manage PWAs just like traditional applications.

Proposed Solution

We propose adding functionality to Microsoft Intune that allows IT administrators to:

Deploy PWAs as Managed Applications – Treat PWAs like Win32 or Microsoft Store apps.

Specify URLs for Automatic PWA Installation – Allow admins to define a set of approved web applications that should be installed automatically on managed Windows devices.

Control Access with Intune Groups – Ensure only authorized users or devices receive specific PWAs.

Manage and Remove PWAs Centrally – Allow IT to update or uninstall PWAs just like any other enterprise application.

Apply Configuration Policies – Enable options such as auto-launch, desktop shortcuts, and offline availability.

Differentiate Required vs. Available Apps – Provide IT with the ability to enforce required installations or allow users to install from the Company Portal.

Expected Benefits

Enterprise-Grade Application Management – PWAs become first-class managed applications within Intune.

Enhanced Security and Compliance – IT retains full control over which web applications users can install and use.

Improved Consistency and Standardization – Ensures uniform application deployment across all managed Windows devices.

Reduced Administrative Overhead – Eliminates reliance on user actions or scripting for PWA installation.

Future-Proofing IT Management – Aligns Intune with the industry-wide shift towards SaaS applications.

Given the growing reliance on SaaS platforms, this capability is increasingly critical for modern IT environments. We strongly encourage Microsoft to consider this feature for inclusion in Intune's future roadmap. Please let us know if further details or use cases are required.

Best regards, Martin

Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge
A Microsoft cross-platform web browser that provides privacy, learning, and accessibility tools.
2,449 questions
Windows 11
Windows 11
A Microsoft operating system designed for productivity, creativity, and ease of use.
10,677 questions
Microsoft Intune
Microsoft Intune
A Microsoft cloud-based management solution that offers mobile device management, mobile application management, and PC management capabilities.
5,528 questions
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  1. Pavel yannara Mirochnitchenko 12,781 Reputation points MVP
    2025-02-03T18:27:11.22+00:00

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