At the recent Build 2026 developer conference, Microsoft made a notable push for developers to create more native applications for Windows 11. While the company did not explicitly discourage the use of web apps, this year’s conference marked a distinct emphasis on WinUI, a native framework, as opposed to alternatives such as Electron or React Native.
Windows, once the crown jewel of Microsoft’s offerings, has taken a backseat in recent years. However, the tides appear to be shifting in 2026, as Microsoft has committed to revitalizing Windows 11 with a focus on enhancing quality, performance, and reliability. A significant part of this initiative involves a renewed emphasis on native applications.
To bolster this effort, Microsoft has established a dedicated team tasked with developing native apps for Windows 11. Additionally, the company is undertaking a rewrite of the Start menu, which was previously built using React Native, particularly the Recommended feed and All Apps list.
During Build 2026, Microsoft affirmed its unwavering commitment to WinUI, announcing that it has no plans to introduce another framework.
How Microsoft plans to push WinUI as the native UI framework
Microsoft’s strategy begins with a focus on the fundamentals, aiming to enhance WinUI’s stability, reduce memory consumption, and develop new tools for developers. In a significant branding shift, the company is dropping the “WinUI 3” label, opting to refer to it simply as “WinUI.” This change is intended to reassure developers that no new framework is on the horizon.
Chris Anderson, a key figure in Windows UI and AI, addressed one of the most frequently asked questions from developers: the seriousness of Microsoft’s commitment to WinUI. With WinUI 3 being four years old, many have wondered if this would be the year for yet another new framework announcement. Anderson responded definitively, stating, “We have no intention of building a new framework.” He emphasized that the simplification of the name reflects a commitment to stability rather than a shift in direction.
Microsoft says it’ll get the basics right for WinUI
Anderson reiterated that WinUI is the “production platform for Windows apps,” and the company is fully dedicated to refining this framework. He acknowledged existing “gaps” in WinUI and expressed a commitment to elevating it to the level of competing frameworks. For instance, users have reported issues such as tearing when resizing WinUI apps, a problem that Microsoft aims to rectify as part of its focus on core performance and quality improvements.
“The first and foremost is performance, fundamentals, quality, fixing a lot of bugs,” Anderson stated, highlighting the company’s investment in enhancing memory usage and transitioning to a system compositor.
Among the new features on the horizon for WinUI are DataGrid and Charting support, which could incentivize enterprises to adopt WinUI for their applications. While these may seem like minor enhancements, they represent a significant step toward optimizing WinUI for enterprise needs, underscoring Microsoft’s commitment to its enterprise clientele.
Microsoft wants developers to use WinUI for modern apps, including AI workflows
Part of Microsoft’s vision includes adapting WinUI for the evolving landscape of AI workflows, encouraging developers to select it over other frameworks. The company noted that developers are seeking faster iteration, clearer control flow, and tools that integrate seamlessly with AI-assisted coding.
In a separate session at Build 2026, Microsoft introduced the concept of agent-based development workflows for modern Windows applications. This initiative is not merely about embedding AI into applications but rather leveraging AI to assist developers in creating contemporary Windows apps.
Microsoft is also developing “new platform capabilities” to empower agents in aiding developers throughout the planning, building, and optimization processes of modern WinUI applications.
Microsoft is not against other frameworks, but it wants “WinUI” to be seen as the native framework
It is essential to note that Microsoft is not waging a war against other frameworks. The company recognizes Windows as an open platform for developers, citing React, SwiftUI, and Compose as examples of modern dynamic UI patterns it aims to incorporate into WinUI. Nevertheless, Microsoft is focused on enhancing WinUI’s appeal to developers, striving to create a UI that feels modern, AI-friendly, open-source, and less risky.
“The big next phase for us is Phase 4. And really, that is where we move the team from using internal source repos to working primarily and almost exclusively in the public repos,” Microsoft stated at Build 2026. Additionally, the company is not urging developers to overhaul existing Windows apps overnight. Anderson mentioned that the goal is to make WinForms interop with WinUI “bulletproof,” allowing for smooth integration of WPF and WinUI.
Windows has long been a developer-friendly operating system, accommodating a diverse array of frameworks and APIs, including Python, Tauri, React, WinUI, WinForms, and Win32. This flexibility has, however, led to a lack of consistent design language across the platform.
This year’s Build conference gives me hope that Windows is “back” at Microsoft
The annual Build conference serves as a platform for Microsoft to discuss its various products, including Windows, Azure, and GitHub. Since its inception in 2011, Build has gradually shifted its focus away from Windows toward Azure, GitHub, and even Linux.
This year, however, Microsoft dedicated significant attention to Windows and native applications, promising to rewrite the Windows shell in WinUI to foster a cohesive user experience. The developments presented at Build 2026 signal an exciting resurgence for Windows, leaving many eager to see how Microsoft will continue to enhance the operating system.
