WinUI Archives

Winsage

September 11, 2026

Is this Windows 11’s new modern cursor? Microsoft quietly shows a redesigned pointer

Microsoft released Experimental Windows 11 build version 26340.9354, which includes a mock-up of a new Resume hovercard featuring a redesigned mouse pointer. The new pointer has a broader shape, a softer curve on its lower-left side, and a more symmetrical appearance, differing from the traditional thin tail-like extension of Windows cursors. Although Microsoft has not confirmed any changes to the system cursor, the release notes mention a known issue with cursor customization but do not address any redesign. Reports from June indicated that Microsoft was testing a new cursor as part of its Windows 11 modernization initiative. The mock-up resembles a Fluent icon, with a cleaner and wider shape compared to the classic Windows arrow. Despite this, the current developer documentation still refers to the traditional pointer as the "arrow cursor." Windows 11 has modernized many UI elements, but the pointer has remained largely unchanged, with limited customization options. The combination of the recent mock-up and previous reports suggests a potential transformation in the cursor design may be forthcoming.

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.

Winsage

September 5, 2026

Microsoft engineer says “typing code is absolutely over,” and Windows 11 is already being built that way

David Fowler, an engineer with 18 years at Microsoft, claims that traditional software development methods are becoming obsolete, stating, “Typing code is absolutely over.” He has co-created technologies like SignalR and NuGet and currently leads Aspire, a toolchain for building distributed applications that emphasizes AI-driven development. CEO Satya Nadella noted that AI contributes to 20-30% of the code produced at Microsoft. While developers will still interact with code, manual typing is becoming less central, with a shift towards strategic software engineering tasks. Microsoft Research found that AI-generated suggestions in Visual Studio IntelliCode are often overlooked by developers. GitHub Copilot has evolved to autonomously perform tasks, including building Windows development environments as of February 2026. Linus Torvalds supports AI in Linux development, viewing it as a useful tool. A report from Veracode indicated that about 44% of AI-generated code contains known vulnerabilities, highlighting the need for oversight. Microsoft’s MDASH system uses AI for enhanced vulnerability assessments. Microsoft emphasizes native Windows development through the open-source WinUI 3 framework and provides resources for beginners using Copilot. Project Zenith aims to optimize Windows 11 for developers, supporting local AI-powered development. Fowler's statement signifies a transformation in developers' roles, focusing on strategic aspects rather than typing code, while the need for skilled software engineers remains essential.

Winsage

September 1, 2026

Microsoft Releases Two New 26H1 Builds to the Windows Insider Program

Participants in the Windows Insider Program can now install new builds in the Beta (26H1) and Experimental (26H1) channels, specifically Beta build 28020.2818 and Experimental build 28120.2824. Key updates include: - Personalization enhancements with DIB image support for desktop backgrounds and improvements to the Background settings page, including slideshow support across multiple displays. - Windows Recovery Environment (WRE) enhancements allowing automatic reuse of saved Wi-Fi profiles. - Temporary removal of the modernized Print Management experience for refinement, while traditional tools remain accessible. - File Explorer improvements that retain the state of sections on the Home page. - Magnifier user interface updates with improved icons and spacing. - Inclusion of Emoji 17.0. - Taskbar reliability improvements. - The Experimental build introduces first launch reliability for the new WinUI-based Run dialog.

Winsage

August 31, 2026

Microsoft proves Windows 11’s modern UI can beat legacy Win32, if it works hard enough

Microsoft is modernizing Windows by transitioning legacy features to its WinUI framework, including a redesign of the Run dialog. The new Run dialog, implemented with C#/WinUI 3, shows improved performance with a median time-to-show of 94 milliseconds, compared to 103 milliseconds for the legacy version, reflecting an 8.7% speed increase. Despite this improvement, Microsoft acknowledges that WinUI requires further performance enhancements in various areas. The development of the Run dialog utilized .NET AOT compilation to achieve native code speed while maintaining C# flexibility. Concerns about performance on lower-end machines persist, as seen with the Task Manager and File Explorer. Microsoft aims to modernize Windows features without sacrificing performance, with the Run dialog serving as a potential model for future updates.

Winsage

August 30, 2026

In a rare move, Google is bringing native Windows 11 and WSL support to its new AI tools

The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is gaining popularity among developers, with GitHub introducing experimental support for WSL in its Copilot desktop application, allowing Linux environments to be used directly within Windows. Google is also integrating WSL support into its Antigravity development platform, marking a shift in its approach to Windows support. Rody Davis from Google confirmed that both WSL and native Windows support are being developed for Antigravity, which will enable file operations and shell commands in a Linux environment. GitHub Copilot now allows users to create sessions inside WSL, enhancing the development experience by enabling real-time interaction with projects in a WSL environment. Additionally, Microsoft is focusing on improving Windows for developers, with initiatives like Coreutils for Windows and the open-sourcing of WinUI, while Ubuntu is reportedly gaining traction on Windows 11.

Winsage

August 30, 2026

Microsoft Moves WinUI/WASDK Development to GitHub

Microsoft has transitioned the development of WinUI and the Windows App SDK to GitHub, marking a commitment to enhance Windows developer technologies. This shift is part of a strategy unveiled in August 2025 to address developer concerns regarding these tools. Mainline WinUI development is now conducted on GitHub, allowing for real-time project evolution and community engagement. Although the technologies have not yet been open-sourced, Microsoft is working towards that goal. Currently, only Microsoft employees can modify the codebase, but there are plans to open the repository for community contributions in the future. This approach follows Microsoft's previous efforts to open source legacy Windows developer frameworks.

Winsage

August 27, 2026

Is Control Panel dying in Windows 11? Microsoft’s biggest UI revamp says not yet

Windows 11 is undergoing a significant design transformation, with updates to key components like Print Management, the Properties Sheet in File Explorer, and the AutoPlay dialog from Windows 8, all receiving a WinUI makeover. The Control Panel's future is uncertain, but it will remain until Microsoft can transition its features into Windows Settings. Microsoft plans to minimize the need for legacy features and is cautious about removing the Control Panel due to its importance for enterprise compatibility. Upcoming features include a modern Windows Run dialog set to launch in 2026, which will be faster and allow users to navigate to their user directory more efficiently. A modern Properties dialog is also being developed to replace the legacy version, and the AutoPlay dialog will be revamped to remember user preferences. A new Print Management app is in testing, aimed at improving printer management. The overall modernization of Windows 11 suggests that the Control Panel may eventually be phased out, but the timeline for this change is still unclear.

Winsage

August 23, 2026

Windows 11 is modernizing a mouse indicator that hasn’t changed since the Windows XP

In the 1990s, locating the cursor on a Windows screen was challenging, leading to the introduction of a feature in the early 2000s that allowed users to press the Ctrl key to highlight the cursor, which became popular with Windows XP. This feature is being modernized in Windows 11, where users can activate a new Mouse Indicator by navigating to Windows Settings, selecting Accessibility, and toggling the “Mouse Indicator” on. The updated Mouse Indicator, which still activates with the Ctrl key, includes a circle animation and an optional feature to keep the indicator visible until dismissed using Win+Ctrl+Shift+M. Microsoft is also refreshing other features in Windows 11, such as the AutoPlay feature, which now remembers user preferences and presents a new WinUI-based dialog. The Properties sheet is being redesigned to incorporate modern WinUI elements, and a new Print Management app is expected to be released soon.

Winsage

August 22, 2026

Announcing new builds for 21 August 2026

New Windows 11 Insider Preview builds are being rolled out for users in the Beta and Experimental Channels, addressing an issue with the Feature Flags list. Notable new features include: 1. Modernized Autoplay experience: The AutoPlay dialog has been updated to streamline the selection process for connecting devices. It features a refreshed interface built with WinUI, supports dark mode, and is more responsive to text scaling and display settings. 2. Accessibility setting - "Open apps maximized": This new feature automatically maximizes app windows upon opening, benefiting users of screen readers, magnification tools, and those working in tablet mode. Users can enable it in Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects.