DEV Community

Cover image for How to Convert a Next.js App to a Windows EXE (Complete Guide)
Katiuce Odilon
Katiuce Odilon

Posted on • Originally published at code2native.com

How to Convert a Next.js App to a Windows EXE (Complete Guide)

#nextjs #windows #electron #tutorial

If you've built a Next.js web app and want to ship it as a standalone .exe for Windows — without requiring users to open a browser — this guide walks through every viable approach.

Why Package Next.js as an EXE?

  • Offline access — users can launch your app without internet
  • Desktop integration — system tray, file system access, native menus
  • Enterprise distribution — many companies prefer installable software over web apps
  • No browser dependency — works even if Chrome updates break something

Approach 1: Electron (Most Common)

Electron wraps your Next.js app in a Chromium shell. It's the same tech behind VS Code, Slack, and Discord.

Step by step: 

npx create-next-app@latest my-desktop-app
cd my-desktop-app
npm install electron electron-builder --save-dev
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Create main.js in your project root:

const { app, BrowserWindow } = require('electron');
const path = require('path');

function createWindow() {
  const win = new BrowserWindow({
    width: 1200,
    height: 800,
    webPreferences: {
      nodeIntegration: false,
      contextIsolation: true,
    },
  });

  // In production, load the exported static files
  win.loadFile(path.join(__dirname, 'out', 'index.html'));
}

app.whenReady().then(createWindow);
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Build and package:

npx next build && npx next export
npx electron-builder --win
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Pros: Full control, mature ecosystem, huge community
Cons: Large bundle size (~80-150MB), Chromium overhead

Approach 2: Tauri (Lightweight Alternative)

Tauri uses the system's native WebView instead of bundling Chromium. Result: ~5-10MB EXE files.

npm install @tauri-apps/cli
npx tauri init
npx tauri build
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Pros: Tiny bundle, better performance, Rust backend
Cons: Younger ecosystem, some web APIs may behave differently across OS WebViews

Approach 3: Cloud Build Service

If you don't want to set up Electron or Tauri locally, cloud build platforms can take your Next.js project URL or source code and output a signed .exe directly.

This is the fastest path if:

  • You don't need deep native integration
  • You want a simple wrapper with push notifications and offline mode
  • You're shipping to non-technical users who just need an installer

Tools like Code2Native handle the build pipeline, code signing, and packaging in the cloud — you get a downloadable .exe without touching Electron config.

Which Approach Should You Choose?

Factor Electron Tauri Cloud Build
Bundle size 80-150MB 5-10MB 20-40MB
Setup complexity Medium Medium-High Low
Native API access Full Full (Rust) Limited
Build time Local Local Cloud
Best for Complex desktop apps Performance-critical Quick deployment

Conclusion

For most Next.js developers, the choice comes down to:

  • Need deep native features? → Electron or Tauri
  • Just need a standalone desktop app fast? → Cloud build service

The web-to-desktop space is maturing quickly. Whichever approach you pick, your Next.js skills transfer directly — no need to learn a new framework.

Originally published at code2native.com

Top comments (0)