When someone pins a website to the Windows Start menu, the tile it shows comes from a small file called browserconfig.xml. Without that file, Windows falls back to a plain icon or a screenshot, which looks unfinished next to properly branded tiles. This browserconfig generator builds the file for you: enter your site name, pick a tile colour and add the path to your tile image, and it produces the complete XML snippet ready to upload to your site root and reference from your pages. It runs entirely in your browser, so there is nothing to install and nothing to sign up for, and you can use it on a phone, tablet or desktop whenever the need comes up. Because it works on the spot, you can fit it into a busy day without changing your routine, and the result is ready in seconds rather than after a setup process.
Quick Answer: Enter your site name, tile colour and tile image path, then copy the generated browserconfig.xml and upload it to your website root folder. It is free, needs no sign-up, and works instantly in your browser on any device.
Free Online Tool
Browserconfig Generator
Generate a browserconfig.xml file for Windows Start tiles.
How to Use the Browserconfig Generator
- Type your website or brand name exactly as it should appear on the tile.
- Choose the background tile colour that matches your brand.
- Enter the path to your square tile image, for example /mstile-150×150.png.
- Click Generate Browserconfig to build the XML code.
- Copy the output, save it as browserconfig.xml, and upload it to your site root.
- Repeat the process whenever you need a fresh result, since the tool is free to use as often as you like.
Key Features
- Complete browserconfig.xml with tile and TileColor entries
- Live colour picker so the tile matches your brand palette
- Support for square and wide tile image paths
- Copy-ready output with no extra formatting to clean up
- Works for any website, with no sign-up or download needed
- Free unlimited use with no account, download or installation required
Best Practices and Tips
- Create a clean square logo at 150 by 150 pixels for the sharpest tile.
- Pick a tile colour with strong contrast so a white logo stays readable.
- Keep the file at your site root so Windows finds it automatically.
- Reference the file in your page head with the msapplication-config meta tag.
- Test the tile by pinning your own site to Start before announcing it.
- Bookmark this page so the tool is one click away the next time you need it.
- Try the tool with a real example from your own work first, since a concrete case shows its value faster than a test input.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Uploading the file to a subfolder where Windows never looks for it.
- Pointing the tile image at a page URL instead of an image file.
- Using a low-resolution logo that turns blurry on large tiles.
- Forgetting the meta tag reference on pages served from a subdirectory.
- Skipping the instructions and guessing how the tool works, then blaming the result when it does not match expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is browserconfig.xml?
It is a small XML file that tells Windows which tile image and background colour to use when a visitor pins your site to the Start menu or taskbar.
Do I need a Microsoft account to use tiles?
No. Any visitor on Windows can pin your site, and the tile is built from your browserconfig.xml file without any account or registration.
Where do I upload the file?
Upload it to the root folder of your website, next to your homepage, so it is reachable at yourdomain.com/browserconfig.xml.
What image size works best?
A square PNG of at least 150 by 150 pixels works well for the medium tile, and a 310 by 150 image suits the wide tile if you include one.
Is this generator free?
Yes, it is completely free, runs in your browser, and never asks for an account or payment.
Does this tool work on mobile phones?
Yes. The tool runs in your browser on phones, tablets and desktops, with controls sized for touch screens and small displays.
Do I need to create an account?
No. Every tool on this page works without an account, a download or a subscription, and your inputs stay in your browser.
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