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Microsoft Now Lets AI Build Native WinUI 3 Apps for Windows 11 in Under 30 Minutes
Winsage
September 6, 2026

Microsoft Now Lets AI Build Native WinUI 3 Apps for Windows 11 in Under 30 Minutes

Microsoft has released a quick-start guide for developers to create native WinUI 3 applications for Windows 11 in about 30 minutes, using tools like VS Code, .NET 10, GitHub Copilot's free tier, and Microsoft's winapp CLI, without requiring Visual Studio. The guide details project scaffolding, AI integration for features, testing, and packaging as an MSIX installer. The AI agent, winui-dev, is a specialized plugin for WinUI tasks, and developers are encouraged to connect it to the Learn MCP server for updated documentation. This initiative aims to move developers away from web wrappers and Electron-style applications, which use more RAM. Microsoft announced at the Build 2026 conference that "3" will be removed from WinUI's name, reinforcing its long-term stability. WinUI 3 is being integrated into Windows 11 components, although some apps still use WebView2 technology, which consumes more RAM than native options.
A faster OS and UI fixes won't save Windows 11 if Microsoft's apps remain laggy web wrappers
Winsage
August 24, 2026

A faster OS and UI fixes won’t save Windows 11 if Microsoft’s apps remain laggy web wrappers

Microsoft is testing new context menus and updating the AutoPlay dialog box in Windows 11. The Windows K2 initiative is prompting discussions about a potential Windows 12 update. Concerns remain about the performance of key applications like Microsoft Teams, which has been criticized for slow loading times. The upcoming Windows 11 update will include a refreshed Start menu, Taskbar enhancements, and quality fixes. A study by Signal65 found that the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme outperforms Intel and AMD chips. Rudy Huyn is leading a team to improve Windows applications, but it is uncertain how many apps will benefit from these efforts. Many major applications operate independently from Huyn's team, raising concerns about user experience. Microsoft 365 is currently available at a discount when bundled with NordVPN.
Windows 11's Photos app just got debloated, but Microsoft is already ruining it with a WebView2 sequel
Winsage
August 2, 2026

Windows 11’s Photos app just got debloated, but Microsoft is already ruining it with a WebView2 sequel

Microsoft Photos for Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel has been updated to feature a cleaner interface with fewer icons and a faster context menu. The update removes unnecessary elements, including the "Ask Copilot" button, and focuses on essential actions like Edit, Print, and Share. The context menu now opens faster and includes a concise list of relevant options. Additional enhancements include a richer file info pane, support for HEIC files without conversion, SVG viewing support, improved launch performance, and new device import controls. However, a new app called "Photos (Preview)" has been introduced, which operates as a WebView2 process and adds complexity to the user experience. Microsoft is seeking user feedback on this experimental app.
WhatsApp is eating 1.2GB RAM on Windows 11, even as Microsoft kills web app slop
Winsage
June 13, 2026

WhatsApp is eating 1.2GB RAM on Windows 11, even as Microsoft kills web app slop

WhatsApp for Windows, despite having a large user base of 3 billion globally and 1.6 billion on Windows, suffers from significant performance issues, including high RAM usage (400 MB before logging in and up to 1.2 GB while idling), slow message delivery, and a choppy scrolling experience. The app operates as a web wrapper using the WebView2 framework, which leads to inefficient resource consumption compared to native applications. Users across various hardware configurations report freezing, delayed messages, and instability. Microsoft’s Teams app also faces similar performance challenges due to its reliance on the same framework. There is a growing concern about the trend of developers opting for web applications over native ones, driven by a lack of trust in native frameworks. Despite Microsoft's push for native app development through WinUI, there is currently no native version of WhatsApp for Windows, while Meta has developed optimized versions for other platforms.
Microsoft is rewriting Windows 11 shell in native code, killing the web slop slowing your PC
Winsage
June 4, 2026

Microsoft is rewriting Windows 11 shell in native code, killing the web slop slowing your PC

Microsoft is enhancing Windows 11 by reducing reliance on web-based components, which have caused performance issues. The user interface framework WinUI will now be referred to simply as "WinUI," indicating no plans for a WinUI 4, to reassure developers. Microsoft is integrating WinUI into the Windows 11 shell more rapidly, moving away from web components. A specialized team is focused on creating "100% native" Windows applications, starting with an overhaul of the Start menu from React Native to WinUI components. Performance, memory optimization, and quality control are top priorities for the WinUI team. A new system compositor is being introduced to improve UI performance, and enterprise-focused DataGrid and Charting controls are being added to WinUI. Microsoft is expanding open-source development for WinUI, allowing public testing and contributions. Migration support between WinForms and WinUI is being enhanced for legacy applications. An experimental project called Microsoft UI Reactor is introduced to simplify native application development using C#. This shift towards native development aims to improve performance and efficiency for all Windows users.
Microsoft admits modern Windows 11 apps actually resize worse than the old ones, fix coming this summer
Winsage
May 29, 2026

Microsoft admits modern Windows 11 apps actually resize worse than the old ones, fix coming this summer

Microsoft is working on a solution to address the black tearing issue during window resizing in WinUI 3 applications on Windows 11, with a rollout expected to begin this summer. March Rogers, Microsoft’s Partner Director of Design, confirmed that the Windows team is testing smooth resizing code on native inbox applications before extending the update to the Windows App SDK. The transition to WinUI 3 aims to replace inefficient web applications and improve user experience, with significant components like the Start menu and system-level dialog boxes being upgraded to WinUI 3. Additionally, Microsoft has launched Windows App SDK 2.0 to encourage third-party developers to adopt native app development, addressing previous issues such as bugs and lack of visual features.
Microsoft's Yusuf Mehdi pledges to reimagine Windows 11 for the AI era in his final year before leaving
Winsage
May 22, 2026

Microsoft’s Yusuf Mehdi pledges to reimagine Windows 11 for the AI era in his final year before leaving

Yusuf Mehdi is leaving Microsoft after a 35-year tenure, during which he played a significant role in launching products like Windows 95, Internet Explorer, Bing, Xbox One, and the Surface Pro lineup. He was the Executive Vice President and Consumer Chief Marketing Officer, leading Microsoft's consumer strategy and its push into AI, particularly with the Copilot brand. Mehdi announced plans to continue working on Microsoft's AI strategy, focusing on making Windows 11 an "agentic OS," which allows AI agents to operate autonomously. Despite backlash from users regarding performance issues, Mehdi remains committed to this vision. Recently, Microsoft has shifted its focus to improving Windows 11's functionality, addressing criticism about its performance while continuing to explore AI integration.
Microsoft: Windows 11 to Be Faster Than Ever
Winsage
May 17, 2026

Microsoft: Windows 11 to Be Faster Than Ever

Microsoft is enhancing the performance of Windows 11 with a focus on speed and efficiency. Key improvements include: - Accelerated app launch times, minimized system lag, enhanced memory and CPU efficiency, and smoother user interface interactions. - Introduction of the Low Latency Profile, which temporarily elevates CPU speed during intensive tasks to improve responsiveness. - Refinements to the WinUI 3 framework for quicker UI rendering and reduced system resource calls. - Enhancements to File Explorer for faster startup, decreased lag, and smoother file operations. - Reduction of RAM usage when idle, increasing memory availability and multitasking capabilities. - Transition towards more native Windows apps instead of web-based components for faster loading and a consistent user experience. - Improvements in system reliability with fewer driver issues, better update management, and reduced system crashes. These updates are expected to roll out gradually through 2026.
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