Microsoft to Open Source WinUI, Expanding Developer Access

Windows UI Future in Doubt as Developers Lament ‘Never-Ending Stagnation’

SEATTLE, WA – Microsoft‘s Windows UI framework is facing a storm of criticism from developers, who express deep frustration over years of perceived neglect and broken promises. The discontent, bubbling over on the Microsoft UI XAML GitHub repository, centers around the evolution from WinRT to UWP to WinUI and the Windows App SDK (WASDK).One developer bluntly stated Microsoft “doesn’t understand the damage” inflicted on the developer community and companies invested in the platform, citing a cycle of “never-ending stagnation and false promises.” Specific complaints include persistent bugs in modal dialogs and a lack of a functional solution for input validation.

The roots of the problem, according to some, trace back to Windows 8 and the introduction of WinRT – a new Windows Runtime with interoperability layers for C++ and .NET.This decision, developers argue, fractured the Windows advancement landscape. “The entire WinRT (and its follow-on WinUI) idea was a mistake,” one commenter asserted.

While Microsoft’s recent move to open-source WinUI is viewed as a possibly positive step, developers remain skeptical. The core concern isn’t just the code being open,but the level of ongoing investment Microsoft is willing to commit.

“How many people in total are assigned to the WinUI/WinAppSDK teams?” a developer questioned on GitHub, adding that it currently “feels like Web is the primary focus, and everything else is just maintenance.”

Evergreen Insights: The Perils of Platform Fragmentation

This situation highlights a recurring challenge in the software industry: platform fragmentation. When a dominant platform provider introduces new frameworks without ensuring a smooth transition or sustained support for existing codebases, it can alienate developers and stifle innovation.the cost of migrating to new technologies,coupled with the uncertainty of long-term support,can lead developers to seek alternatives.

Microsoft’s experience serves as a cautionary tale for other tech giants. Maintaining developer trust requires not only providing powerful tools but also demonstrating a clear, consistent commitment to their long-term viability. Open-sourcing a project is a good start, but it’s only effective if accompanied by dedicated resources and a responsive development team. The future of Windows desktop development may hinge on Microsoft’s willingness to address these concerns and prioritize the needs of its developer community.

How will the phased open-source approach to WinUI affect developers who prefer a stable, predictable framework for long-term projects?

What’s Changing with WinUI?

Microsoft has announced a important shift in its approach to WinUI (Windows User Interface), moving towards open-source development. This decision dramatically expands access for developers, fostering a more collaborative adn innovative ecosystem around native Windows app development. The core of WinUI, the modern Windows UI library, will become increasingly accessible, allowing for greater community contribution and customization. This move aligns with Microsoft’s broader open-source strategy, seen with projects like .NET and PowerShell.

Understanding the Open-Source Transition

The open-sourcing of WinUI isn’t a single event, but a phased approach. Initially, key components and controls are being released under an open-source license, allowing developers to:

Contribute Code: Directly contribute bug fixes, enhancements, and new features to the WinUI library.

Customize UI Elements: modify existing controls to better suit specific request needs.

Extend Functionality: Build custom controls and components leveraging the WinUI framework.

Increased Clarity: Gain deeper insight into the inner workings of the UI framework.

This transition is being managed thru GitHub repositories, providing a central hub for collaboration and version control. Developers can expect regular updates and improvements driven by both Microsoft and the community.

Benefits of Open-Source WinUI for Developers

The implications of this change are far-reaching. Here’s a breakdown of the key benefits for developers building Windows applications:

Faster Innovation: Community contributions accelerate the pace of development and feature additions.

Reduced Vendor Lock-in: Greater control over the UI framework reduces reliance on Microsoft’s roadmap.

Enhanced Customization: Tailor the UI to perfectly match brand guidelines and user experiance requirements.

Improved Bug Fixing: A larger pool of developers actively identifying and resolving issues.

Wider Skillset Availability: Increased accessibility encourages more developers to learn and contribute to WinUI.

Modern UI Toolkit: WinUI provides a modern, fluent design system for building visually appealing and responsive Windows apps.

WinUI vs. WPF & UWP: A Clarification

Many developers are asking how this impacts existing Windows UI technologies like WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation) and UWP (Universal Windows Platform).

WPF: Remains a powerful framework for building desktop applications, notably those requiring extensive customization and complex UI logic. It’s not directly replaced by WinUI, but serves a different niche.

UWP: While UWP is still supported, Microsoft is clearly positioning WinUI as the future of native Windows UI development. WinUI is designed to be more flexible and adaptable than UWP, supporting a wider range of application types.

WinUI 3: The current iteration, WinUI 3, is designed to run on Windows 11 and Windows 10 (version 1903 or later). It offers a modern look and feel and leverages the latest Windows features.

Getting Started with Open-Source WinUI

Ready to dive in? Here’s a quick guide to getting started:

1. Install the WinUI 3 SDK: Download and install the latest WinUI 3 SDK from the official Microsoft documentation (https://learn.microsoft.com/de-de/windows/apps/how-tos/hello-world-winui3).
2. Explore the GitHub Repositories: Familiarize yourself with the WinUI GitHub repositories to understand the project structure and contribution guidelines.
3. Create a New WinUI Project: Use Visual Studio to create a new WinUI 3 project and start building your application. A simple “Hello World” app is a great starting point.
4. contribute to the community: Identify areas were you can contribute, whether it’s bug fixes, documentation improvements, or new feature suggestions.
5. Stay Updated: Regularly check the WinUI blog and GitHub repositories for updates and announcements.

Real-World Applications & Use Cases

The open-source winui framework is suitable for a wide range of applications, including:

Desktop Applications: Building modern, high-performance desktop applications for Windows.

In-Box Windows Components: Microsoft itself is leveraging WinUI for new and updated components within Windows.

Line-of-Business (LOB) Applications: creating custom applications tailored to specific business needs.

Creative tools: Developing visually rich and interactive creative applications.

Utilities & System Tools: Building system utilities and tools with a modern and intuitive user interface.

Future Outlook: The Evolution of WinUI

The open-sourcing of WinUI is a pivotal moment for Windows app development. Expect to see:

Increased Community Engagement: A growing community of developers actively contributing to the framework.

Faster Release Cycles: More frequent updates and feature releases driven by community contributions.

Expanded Platform Support: Potential for WinUI to be ported to other platforms in the future.

Deeper Integration with.NET: Closer integration with the .NET ecosystem, providing developers with a seamless development experience.

* Advanced UI Controls: The introduction