Microsoft Guiding Developers in Circles through Windows 10 Version 10
The Decline of UWP and Microsoft's Shift Towards a Hybrid Development Model
After its introduction with Windows 10 in 2015, the Universal Windows Platform (UWP) was intended to revolutionize app development by allowing developers to create one application for various Windows devices. However, the vision of a unified app platform proved challenging, and UWP failed to gain widespread adoption.
Terry Myerson, the head of Windows and devices at the time, pitched UWP as a solution for creating one application that could run across various devices, including Windows 10 PCs, phones, Xbox consoles, and HoloLens augmented reality headsets. But the reality was different. UWP had issues such as deployment being limited to the Windows Store, sandboxed file and hardware access, and a lack of components compared to the mature Win32 API.
One of the first setbacks for UWP was the abandonment of Windows Phone, formally discontinued in October 2017. This move left developers with fewer devices to target, reducing the appeal of UWP further.
Anxious developers have expressed concerns about the complexity of WinUI3 architecture and the lack of progress. Microsoft introduced Project Reunion in 2020 and WinUI 3, positioning it as the high-performance, Fluent-optimized native UI framework for Windows. However, developers who have embraced WinUI 3 have reported numerous issues, including decreased activity from Microsoft, lack of adoption from component vendors, inability to ship a visual designer for Visual Studio, and poor developer experience.
Microsoft's focus has shifted away from UWP and towards the Windows App SDK and other more flexible application models. In 2021, Microsoft started encouraging developers to migrate away from UWP toward the Windows App SDK, which supports traditional Win32 apps alongside modern API usage, offering more versatility and better desktop support. Major applications like WhatsApp have dropped UWP in favor of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), reflecting the declining relevance of UWP in the ecosystem.
The recent developments in Windows 11 and Windows development efforts have moved towards integrating modern UI elements via WinUI while embracing traditional desktop app compatibility. This shift towards a hybrid approach signifies a move away from relying solely on a universal app platform like UWP. The cancellation of Windows 10X and the reallocation of its foundational technologies into the broader Windows platform further underscore this shift.
In summary, Microsoft's approach to Windows desktop development has evolved from promoting a single universal platform (UWP) towards supporting a hybrid model that balances modern APIs with legacy desktop app compatibility, while integrating updated UI frameworks like WinUI. This pragmatic pivot reflects a response to developer needs and user expectations in the evolving Windows ecosystem.
| Aspect | UWP (Post Introduction) | Current Microsoft Approach | |----------------------|---------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------| | Adoption | Low; failed to convince most developers | Emphasizing Windows App SDK and Win32 integration | | Development Status | No longer actively developed; deprecated | Focus on hybrid app development with WinUI and modern APIs | | App Store Model | Single store for all Windows devices | More flexible distribution including PWAs and desktop apps | | Cross-device Goal | Unified platform for all Windows devices | Shifted to supporting multiple app types and legacy compatibility| | Desktop Support | Limited and restrictive | Strong focus on improving desktop experience and traditional apps |
[1] Microsoft (2021). Windows App SDK [2] Petri, P. (2021). Windows 11: Microsoft confirms WinUI 3, Project Reunion, and the future of Windows development [3] ZDNet. (2021). Windows App SDK: Microsoft's new approach to Windows development [4] TechRepublic. (2021). Windows 11: What you need to know about WinUI and Project Reunion
- As the shifting landscape of Windows development continues, Microsoft is emphasizing the integration of open source technologies with its own, such as WinUI 3 and Project Reunion, showcasing their commitment to a hybrid development model.
- With the introduction of the Windows App SDK, Microsoft aims to provide developers with a flexible platform that supports both traditional Win32 apps and modern API usage, offering improved desktop support.
- In response to concerns regarding the complexity of developing for cross-platform applications, Microsoft is working to improve the developer experience by addressing issues reported with WinUI 3, including decreased activity from Microsoft and poor developer experience.
- The growing popularity of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) in conjunction with the decline of UWP has led to a transformation in Microsoft's app strategy, underscoring a focus on mobile, cloud, AI, and a more diversified software ecosystem.
