Updated: May 31, 2023 (February 11, 2023)

  Analyst Report

Windows App SDK 1.2 Available

My Atlas / Analyst Reports

408 wordsTime to read: 3 min
Michael Cherry by
Michael Cherry

Michael analyzed and wrote about Microsoft's operating systems, including the Windows client OS, as well as compliance and governance. Michael... more

  • The Windows App SDK may help developers build new applications for Windows 11 and upgrade older Windows apps to use Windows 11 features.
  • The Windows App SDK 1.2 includes the ability to develop widgets, access new WinUI controls, and trim the size of .NET-based apps.

The Windows App SDK is a platform framework to help developers build native Windows desktop applications using the latest Windows 11 UI design elements. The updated SDK could help organizations upgrade their older Windows desktop applications without completely rewriting them, access new WinUI controls, and reduce the footprint of .NET applications. However, the difficulty of migrating older applications may outweigh the benefits of upgrading.

Windows 11 Widgets and Other UI Features

One of the key new capabilities in the Windows App SDK 1.2: third-party developers can add a widget for a packaged Win32 application. A widget is a glanceable view of information that can be posted on the Windows 11 widgets board (from the taskbar).

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