Facebook is one of the most popular social media platforms, with over 2 billion monthly active users worldwide. Many people access Facebook primarily through the mobile app on their smartphones. However, you can also use Facebook on a desktop or laptop computer by accessing the website at www.facebook.com.
If you want access to all of the same features as the mobile app directly on your Windows or Mac computer, you can download and install the official Facebook desktop app.
Benefits of the Facebook Desktop App
Here are some of the advantages of using the dedicated Facebook desktop app rather than just accessing the site through your web browser:
- Dedicated desktop notifications for messages, friend requests, and other alerts.
- Faster performance compared to Facebook in a browser.
- Keyboard shortcuts for easier navigation.
- Option for Dark Mode on supported operating systems.
- Less strain on computer resources compared to having multiple browser tabs open.
System Requirements
Before installing the Facebook desktop app, make sure your computer meets the following system requirements:
Windows
- Windows 7 or newer.
- 2 GB RAM minimum (4 GB recommended).
- .NET Framework 4.5 or higher.
- GPU that supports DirectX 10 or higher.
- 1024 x 768 minimum screen resolution.
Mac
- Mac OS X 10.10 or newer.
- 2 GB RAM minimum.
- 1024 x 768 minimum screen resolution.
Installing the Facebook App on Windows
Follow these steps to install the Facebook desktop app on a Windows PC:
- Open your web browser and go to www.facebook.com/about/desktop.
- Click on the “Download for Windows” button.
- If prompted, click “Save File” to download the installer file to your Downloads folder.
- Open your Downloads folder and double-click on the FacebookInstaller.exe file.
- The installation wizard will open. Click “Next” to proceed.
- Accept the license agreement then click “Next.”
- Select a folder location on your computer to install the Facebook app and click “Next.”
- Click “Install” to begin the installation process.
- Once finished, click “Finish” to launch the Facebook desktop app.
The Facebook app icon will now be pinned to your Start menu for easy access.
Silent Install
If you need to automate installing the Facebook desktop app on multiple Windows computers, you can use the /S argument for a silent install:
FacebookInstaller.exe /S
Installing the Facebook App on Mac
Here is how to install the Facebook desktop app on a Mac:
- Open your web browser and go to www.facebook.com/about/desktop.
- Click the “Download for Mac” button.
- In your browser’s download prompt, click “Download.”
- Open Finder and navigate to Downloads.
- Double-click Facebook.dmg to mount the installer image.
- Drag and drop the Facebook icon into your Applications folder shortcut.
- Once copied over, eject the Facebook.dmg image.
- Open your Applications folder and double-click on the Facebook app icon to launch it.
The Facebook desktop app will now be available in your Applications folder and Dock for easy access.
Using the Facebook Desktop App
Once installed, the Facebook app provides all core Facebook features in a native desktop application:
- News Feed – See recent posts from friends.
- Messages – Send and receive messages with friends.
- Notifications – Get notified of friend requests, messages, and other activity.
- Events – Browse upcoming events and calendar reminders.
- Groups – Access your Facebook groups.
- Games – Play Facebook-connected games.
- Pages – Manage or view Pages you admin or follow.
- Profile – Update your own profile and cover photo.
The Facebook desktop app includes some additional features not available on the mobile or web versions of Facebook:
- Keyboard shortcuts for common actions like liking posts or sending messages.
- “Chat heads” for quickly accessing open message threads.
- Customizable desktop notifications.
- Spell check for composing posts and comments.
- Built-in screen capture tool.
- Support for 360-degree photos.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts allow faster navigation and actions in the Facebook desktop app:
| Shortcut (Windows) | Shortcut (Mac) | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Ctrl + N | ⌘ + N | Compose new post |
| Ctrl + Shift + 1-9 | ⌘ + Shift + 1-9 | Switch between Navigation Menu items |
| Ctrl + M | ⌘ + M | New Facebook message |
| Ctrl + Shift + M | ⌘ + Shift + M | Open Messenger |
| Ctrl + F | ⌘ + F | Search Facebook |
Troubleshooting the Facebook Desktop App
If you are having issues using the Facebook desktop application, try the following troubleshooting tips:
App Not Launching
- Make sure your computer meets the minimum system requirements.
- Try reinstalling the Facebook desktop app.
- Temporary disable antivirus software, which may be blocking the app.
- Update your Windows or Mac operating system to the latest version.
App Running Slow or Crashing
- Close and re-launch the Facebook desktop app.
- Update your GPU drivers to the latest available version.
- Disable hardware acceleration if graphics issues occur.
- Free up disk space and RAM by closing other programs.
- Repair disk errors using Check Disk on Windows or Disk Utility on Mac.
Can’t Log In or App Hangs on Launch
- Uninstall and reinstall the Facebook desktop app.
- Clear cached data and cookies for the Facebook website.
- Check for firewall or network restrictions blocking Facebook.
- Make sure your system clock is set to the right date and time.
Notifications Not Working
- Check notification settings within the Facebook desktop app.
- On Windows, allow notifications from the Facebook app in Windows Settings.
- Make sure notifications are enabled system-wide on Mac in System Preferences.
- Restart your computer and check if notifications now work.
Syncing Problems
- Log out and back into the Facebook desktop app.
- Update to the latest version of the app.
- Clear cached data and cookies in your browser for Facebook.
- Ensure reliable Internet connection.
- Changes may take some time to sync across devices.
Uninstalling the Facebook App
If you no longer wish to use the Facebook desktop app, you can uninstall it:
Uninstall on Windows
- Open the Start menu and click Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
- Find “Facebook” in the list of installed apps.
- Click the “Facebook” listing and then click Uninstall.
- Confirm that you wish to uninstall the app.
Uninstall on Mac
- Open Finder and navigate to Applications.
- Drag the Facebook app icon to the Trash.
- Empty the Trash to fully delete the Facebook app.
Uninstalling the Facebook desktop app will not delete your Facebook account or any data associated with it. You can still access Facebook through any web browser.
Conclusion
The official Facebook desktop app provides a fast, streamlined experience for using Facebook on Windows or Mac computers. After downloading the installer from the Facebook website and completing the installation process, the app offers all core features along with extra functionality like keyboard shortcuts, notifications, and Messenger support. Troubleshoot any issues by reinstalling the app, updating your computer’s software, or adjusting permissions. Overall, the Facebook desktop app makes it simpler than ever to access Facebook on a PC.