A Guide to the Microsoft Edge WebView2 Offline Installer If you are a developer or an IT administrator working in environments with restricted internet access, you have likely encountered the need for a Microsoft Edge WebView2 offline installer. Since many modern applications, such as Microsoft 365 and Outlook, rely on Microsoft Edge WebView2 to render web content, ensuring its presence on every machine is critical. What is the WebView2 Offline Installer?
While the standard "Evergreen Bootstrapper" is a tiny file that downloads the necessary components during installation, the Evergreen Standalone Installer is a complete, "full-blown" package designed specifically for offline environments. By using this standalone version, you avoid any dependency on Microsoft’s Content Delivery Network (CDN) during the actual setup process. Choosing the Right Installer Type
When preparing to distribute your app and the WebView2 Runtime, you must choose between two primary distribution modes:
Evergreen Standalone Installer: This is the recommended choice for most users. It installs a version of the runtime that updates itself automatically once an internet connection becomes available.
Fixed Version: This allows you to package a specific, non-updating version of the runtime directly with your application. This is ideal for apps with strict compatibility requirements that cannot risk an automatic update breaking functionality. For more information, see Evergreen vs. fixed version of the WebView2 Runtime. How to Download and Install Offline
Download the Package: Visit the Microsoft Edge WebView2 developer page on a machine with internet access.
Select Your Architecture: Scroll to the Evergreen Standalone Installer section. You must choose the version that matches your system architecture: x86 (32-bit), x64 (64-bit), or ARM64.
Transfer and Run: Copy the downloaded .exe file to the target offline machine.
Execute as Admin: Right-click the installer and select "Run as administrator" to ensure it has the necessary permissions to modify system registries. Deployment Tips for IT Admins
For enterprise-level rollouts, you can distribute your app and the WebView2 Runtime using silent installation commands: Microsoft Edge WebView2
Microsoft Edge WebView2 Offline Installer Guide Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime
allows developers to embed web technologies (HTML, CSS, and JavaScript) directly into native Windows applications. While most systems have it pre-installed, an offline installer
is critical for deploying apps on machines without internet access or in strictly managed enterprise environments. Choosing Your Offline Installer
Microsoft provides different versions of the runtime depending on your deployment needs via the Official WebView2 Download Page Evergreen Standalone Installer microsoft edge webview2 offline installer
: This is the most common choice. It installs a permanent runtime that updates itself automatically whenever the system is online, ensuring your app stays secure. Fixed Version
: This is a specific, unchanging version of the runtime. Use this if your application requires a strictly validated environment where updates must be manually controlled by the developer. How to Install Offline Download the Setup : Visit the Microsoft WebView2 Developer page on an internet-connected machine. Select Architecture
: Choose the version that matches your target system (x86, x64, or ARM64). Transfer & Run : Move the file to the offline machine via USB or local network. Execute as Admin : Right-click the installer and select Run as administrator
to ensure it has the necessary permissions to register system components. Why You Shouldn't Skip It App Stability
: Many modern apps, including Microsoft 365, require this runtime to function. Uninstalling or missing it can lead to "broken" interfaces or app crashes. OS Integration
: It is considered a core component of Windows 11 and updated versions of Windows 10. command-line arguments for performing a silent installation of this runtime?
Distribute your app and the WebView2 Runtime - Microsoft Learn
Offline deployment * Download the Evergreen Standalone Installer from Download the WebView2 Runtime to your development machine. . Microsoft Learn
Evergreen vs. fixed version of the WebView2 Runtime - Microsoft Learn
Last updated: October 2024. Information accurate as of WebView2 Runtime version 120+.
By integrating the offline installer into your software lifecycle, you transform WebView2 from a frustrating connectivity blocker into a seamless, invisible foundation for modern Windows applications.
The Microsoft Edge WebView2 Offline Installer (officially known as the Evergreen Standalone Installer) is an essential tool for IT administrators and developers who need to deploy the WebView2 Runtime to machines without reliable internet access. Performance and Utility
Critical Infrastructure: WebView2 is a core component that allows modern Windows applications (like Microsoft 365 and various third-party tools) to display web content using the Edge rendering engine. A Guide to the Microsoft Edge WebView2 Offline
Reliability for Offline Use: The standalone installer is highly effective for environments where the "Evergreen Bootstrapper" (which requires a live connection to download files) isn't feasible. It contains all the necessary files to complete the installation locally.
System Stability: It is highly recommended to keep this runtime installed. Many users who attempt to "debloat" or uninstall it face system instability or broken applications. Pros and Cons
Independence: Does not require an internet connection during deployment.
File Size: Significantly larger than the bootstrapper because it contains the entire runtime.
Consistency: Ensures all machines in a network are on the same version if deployed via tools like SCCM.
Manual Updates: Unlike the Evergreen version, standalone installs might require more manual oversight for updates if not managed properly.
Universal Support: Pre-installed on Windows 11 and compatible with managed Windows 10 devices.
Resource Usage: Can result in multiple background processes (msedgewebview2.exe) if many apps use it simultaneously. Summary Recommendation
If you are managing a fleet of computers or developing an app for users with restricted internet, the Standalone Installer is the gold standard. For average home users on Windows 10 or 11, the system likely already has it, and it should be left alone to ensure your apps function correctly.
You can download the official installer directly from the Microsoft Edge WebView2 download page.
Distribute your app and the WebView2 Runtime - Microsoft Learn
Offline deployment * Download the Evergreen Standalone Installer from Download the WebView2 Runtime to your development machine. . Microsoft Learn
Evergreen vs. fixed version of the WebView2 Runtime - Microsoft Learn Additional Resources
The Microsoft Edge WebView2 Offline Installer (officially known as the Evergreen Standalone Installer) is a full-package executable that allows administrators and developers to install the WebView2 Runtime on devices without an active internet connection. While modern Windows 11 systems typically include the runtime by default, older versions like Windows 10 or air-gapped environments require this standalone package to enable web-based features in native applications. Why Use the Offline Installer?
Unlike the standard Evergreen Bootstrapper—a tiny file that downloads components during installation—the offline installer includes all necessary binaries within the package.
Air-Gapped Systems: Ideal for secure environments where machines lack internet access.
Mass Deployment: Simplifies deployment via tools like Microsoft Configuration Manager (SCCM) or Intune, as it removes the dependency on Microsoft’s Content Delivery Network (CDN) at runtime.
Predictability: Ensures the exact version you intend to deploy is the one installed. Where to Download the Offline Installer
You can find the official download links on the Microsoft Edge WebView2 Developer page. Microsoft Developerhttps://developer.microsoft.com Microsoft Edge WebView2
Most downloads provide the Evergreen runtime. However, enterprise users can access the Fixed Version runtime for specific scenarios.
Perfect for IT deployment (SCCM, Intune, PDQ, Group Policy, script).
The Offline Installer (available as a standalone executable or .cab file) is a self-contained package. It includes every file necessary to install the WebView2 Runtime without requiring a single byte of data to be downloaded from the internet post-deployment.
1. True "Air-Gap" Compatibility For organizations in high-security sectors (defense, finance, healthcare) where workstations are isolated from the public internet, the online bootstrapper is useless. The Offline Installer allows you to push the runtime via USB, internal network shares, or SCCM/Intune without needing to punch holes in the firewall.
2. Version Homogeneity (Predictability) When using the Evergreen Bootstrapper, you get the latest version available at that moment. This can lead to version mismatches across your fleet if deployments happen over a few weeks. With the Offline Installer, you control the version. You download a specific MSI, test it against your LOB (Line of Business) apps, and deploy that exact version to everyone. This eliminates "it works on my machine" bugs caused by runtime version drift.
3. Smoother OS Imaging (Golden Images) When building master images for deployment (e.g., using MDT or Autopilot), you want the image to be as complete as possible. Baking the WebView2 Offline Installer into your master image ensures that every future user spins up a VM or desktop with the runtime pre-loaded, reducing the "first login" lag time.