WPF

AppWizard
May 27, 2026
.NET MAUI is introducing Material 3 support for Android applications, allowing developers to integrate the latest design aesthetics with a single MSBuild property. Material 3, also known as Material You, includes features such as dynamic color schemes, refreshed control shapes, and enhanced customization. Developers currently using MAUI have been working with Material Design 2, but with the upcoming release of .NET 10 in November, they can easily upgrade to Material 3 by updating their app projects and adding a few lines of XAML code. Microsoft has provided a sample Material 3-styled app that demonstrates the new design elements across various controls, including SearchBar, Entry, DatePicker, Picker, Slider, ProgressBar, RadioButton, CheckBox, Switch, Button, and ImageButton. This sample supports both dark and light themes. Microsoft plans to expand Material 3 support to additional controls and aims to make it the default styling for MAUI applications.
Winsage
May 13, 2026
Microsoft has announced a 25 percent improvement in the performance of WinUI 3, specifically in File Explorer components. There has been a 41 percent reduction in memory allocations and a 45 percent decrease in function calls. Some optimizations may involve breaking changes, which will initially be optional for developers. The enhancements are intended to become the default in future iterations of WinUI and the Windows App SDK. Despite these improvements, developers have expressed concerns about WinUI 3's performance, noting it is slower than WPF and UWP. The reliance on WinRT interop for component actions is seen as a significant factor hindering speed. Additionally, there are historical tensions regarding the adoption of Microsoft's frameworks within the Windows and Office teams, leading to skepticism about their reliability.
Winsage
March 18, 2026
The latest update for Copilot has transformed it into a WebView-based application, marking it as a hybrid app rather than fully native. The new Copilot (version 146.0.3856.63) operates as a web application, evidenced by multiple sub-processes in the Task Manager that are characteristic of Microsoft Edge. The version number of Copilot aligns closely with that of Microsoft Edge. The revamped Copilot functions as a web app within a desktop shell but loads content from copilot.microsoft.com. Despite its web-based nature, it performs comparably to its native predecessor and launches more quickly. Microsoft had previously announced a "native" version of Copilot, which was misleading as it still relied on web components. In 2025, Microsoft began distributing a truly native Copilot app, free of web components, which started in March 2025. However, the Copilot has now reverted to a web-based format for users in the Windows Insider Program, with plans to extend this change to non-Insiders soon.
Winsage
March 4, 2026
Microsoft has released version 0.2 of its Windows App Development CLI (winapp), incorporating several new features based on community feedback. Key updates include first-class support for .NET projects, allowing integration of WinUI 3, WPF, Windows Forms, and .NET console applications. Developers can initialize projects with winapp init, which aligns them with the appropriate Windows SDK version and generates necessary folders. The update also introduces manifest placeholders for easier app packaging, integrates Microsoft Store CLI commands into winapp, and enhances the help and error messaging system for better usability. Additional improvements include new commands for external catalogs and package identity, updates to winapp pack and manifest update-assets, and a Flutter guide with a sample project for using Windows App SDK APIs.
Winsage
February 17, 2026
Winhance is an open-source application developed by Marco du Plessis for optimizing Windows 10 and 11 on various devices. It has a user-friendly interface and has been available on GitHub for over a year. The latest version, v26.02.17, includes updates that improve its transition to the WinUI 3 framework. Winhance features a System Restore backup option, a batch uninstaller for removing default Microsoft applications, and allows users to install multiple applications simultaneously. It also offers unique tweaks to prevent OEMs from pre-installing unwanted software and provides an option to generate an Autounattend XML file for replicating configurations across devices. Users are advised to download Winhance from the official GitHub repository and back up their files before using the tool.
Winsage
December 5, 2025
Native Windows apps, once central to the desktop experience, are declining in favor of web-based technologies like Electron and Chromium. Developers are shifting towards web wrappers for cross-platform compatibility and efficiency, despite performance drawbacks. WhatsApp has transitioned from a native app to a web wrapper, prioritizing maintenance over performance. This trend is evident across various software categories, with applications like Spotify and Slack adopting web frameworks, leading to increased resource consumption and slower performance. Microsoft’s focus on cloud services and AI has influenced this shift, as has the demand for cross-platform solutions. Native apps are being overshadowed by web technologies, which often lack deep integration with Windows features. Performance trade-offs are significant, with web wrappers consuming more memory than native apps. The rise of progressive web apps (PWAs) and AI integration further complicates the landscape, suggesting a future where the definition of "native" may evolve. The tech community is divided on these changes, with some advocating for a balance between web and native solutions.
Winsage
September 18, 2025
Microsoft is encouraging users to adopt the new Outlook app, which has been the default email and calendar solution for Windows 11 since its launch. Users face challenges with the new Outlook, including advertisements unless they pay for a subscription and the absence of several features from the previous Mail & Calendar app. Many users still prefer the classic Mail & Calendar app and express a desire for its return. The new Outlook is categorized as a Progressive Web App (PWA), raising questions about its classification as a native application. Critics have pointed out issues with the app's performance, design, and feature set, with some stating it does not meet user expectations. Microsoft has disabled the Mail & Calendar app on Windows 10 to compel users to transition to the new Outlook.
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