Native AOT Archives

Winsage

September 19, 2024

Bringing Universal Windows Platform apps to .NET 9

Microsoft has introduced a suite of tools to enhance UWP support in .NET 9, aimed at helping developers upgrade their existing code gradually. This includes tools that operate across Visual Studio, the Windows SDK, and the .NET framework, allowing migration of C# code to the Windows App SDK. The migration process is incremental, enabling developers to adopt Win UI elements while still using some XAML Islands functionalities. Microsoft is actively using these tools for its app updates, with the Microsoft Store set to deliver a native AOT version after .NET 9's general availability, expected in November. The new toolkit eliminates reliance on outdated .NET Native tooling, allowing access to newer .NET features and broader integration of libraries, simplifying the upgrade process and enabling developers to utilize the latest innovations in the .NET ecosystem.

Winsage

September 19, 2024

Can a smoother, faster, better Microsoft Store win over Windows 11 users? Microsoft has a bunch of improvements in the works

The Microsoft Store is being transformed with a focus on modernizing its interface and improving performance, particularly for Windows 11 users. A new 'Downloads' page has been introduced to streamline app management, allowing users to track updates and access release notes. This page is separate from the existing 'Library' section and includes a search bar for easier navigation. Microsoft is migrating the Store to .NET 9 and plans to incorporate Native AOT, which is expected to enhance the performance of Windows 11 applications by improving launch speeds and reducing load times. These changes aim to benefit not only the Microsoft Store but also other large applications within the Windows 11 ecosystem, with a gradual implementation to minimize risks.

Winsage

September 18, 2024

Microsoft Store getting a much-needed speed boost ‘in the near future’

Microsoft is testing a fix for performance issues in Windows 11 applications, with a release expected soon. The company is also enhancing the Microsoft Store, which is transitioning to .NET 9 and will operate on Native AOT in the near future. Additionally, Microsoft announced a pathway for app developers to transition their UWP applications to .NET 9 and Native AOT in two phases, which simplifies the migration process and improves performance compared to UWP apps using .NET Native. The new version of the Microsoft Store will likely be rolled out to Windows Insiders first.

Winsage

September 18, 2024

Some Windows 11 stock apps might soon be much faster to load and more responsive in general

Microsoft has introduced native Ahead-Of-Time (AOT) compilation for the Windows App SDK, aiming to enhance the performance of default applications in Windows 11. This advancement is expected to reduce loading times by up to 50% for apps like the stock Photos app and Phone Link, while also decreasing application package sizes by approximately eight times, leading to reduced memory usage. Existing applications will need updates from their developers to fully utilize this feature.

Winsage

September 18, 2024

Microsoft promises major performance improvements for modern Windows 11 apps | Tom’s Hardware

Microsoft has introduced enhancements to applications developed with the Windows App SDK, resulting in load times that can be up to 50% faster and reduced app sizes. These improvements are primarily due to Native Ahead-Of-Time (AOT) compilation. The Windows App SDK connects Win32 and UWP, providing developers access to modern APIs. Microsoft acknowledged performance issues in its applications, such as Photos and Phone Link, which have slow launch times. A temporary solution suggested is running the app in the background. Native AOT support improves startup times and reduces memory usage, but developers must integrate this feature. Preliminary tests show applications loading up to 50% faster and app packages being eight times smaller. Apps in self-contained mode have seen size reductions of up to 2x. The management of the Edge WebView2 SDK has been revised to minimize app package sizes, although this does not directly improve performance. Applications built with Windows App SDK 1.6 featuring Native AOT are expected to show better performance and smaller file sizes over time, but issues with slow launch times will remain until developers update their apps.

Winsage

September 18, 2024

Microsoft Store could soon run faster on Windows 11, gets Library and Downloads section

Microsoft is migrating the Microsoft Store to .NET 9 and Native AOT (Ahead-of-Time compilation) to enhance performance and user experience. The transition involves a phased update, starting with improvements to the underlying technology, followed by a refresh of the user interface to incorporate WinUI 3 elements. The Store is expected to launch more quickly due to direct code compilation, resulting in faster loading times. Recently, the Store introduced new “Downloads” and “Library” sections to improve management features, allowing users to manage updates and access all owned apps and games more easily. The updated version is available to all users, with the .NET 9-based Store set to roll out to testers soon.

Winsage

September 18, 2024

Launching Windows 11 apps could get up to 50% faster thanks to this new tech

Microsoft has introduced native Ahead of Time (AOT) support in the Windows App SDK, which is expected to significantly improve application launch times for Windows 11. Internal testing indicates a 50% reduction in application start times and an approximate eightfold decrease in package size. The AOT feature allows applications to be compiled to native code in advance, bypassing the usual translation process during execution, thereby reducing workload and improving startup speed. However, the effectiveness of AOT will depend on developers updating their applications to utilize this capability, and improvements will take time to manifest as adoption varies among developers.

Winsage

September 17, 2024

Microsoft Claims 50% Faster Load Times For Windows 11 Apps Via Native AOT Support

Microsoft has introduced enhancements for Windows 11 applications, including a 50% increase in loading speeds and up to eight times reduction in memory usage through native Ahead-Of-Time (AOT) compilation support. The Windows App SDK 1.6 aims to improve user experience by addressing performance issues faced by developers. Key benefits of Native AOT support include accelerated app launch times, reduction in app size, and enhanced package management APIs. Microsoft has also decoupled WinAppSDK from Edge WebView2 and transitioned it to a NuGet package to minimize app sizes and improve performance. Additionally, various bug fixes have been implemented to enhance user experience.