WinUI is a modern UI framework for building Windows applications with a rich set of controls and styles based on Fluent Design principles.
WinUI addresses the need for contemporary, performant Windows desktop applications by providing a unified layer of modern controls and visual styles. The framework ships as part of the Windows App SDK and enables developers to build applications using either C# with .NET or C++, targeting x86, x64, and ARM architectures. The current generation, WinUI 3, integrates Fluent Design to deliver intuitive and accessible user experiences while optimizing for modern hardware capabilities.
Developers should choose WinUI for building Windows desktop applications that require modern UI patterns and high performance. The framework suits projects ranging from new applications to migrations from UWP, as the Windows App SDK provides a clear migration path. WinUI powers key experiences within Windows itself, demonstrating its production readiness and the depth of its control set. Applications built with WinUI require users to be on Windows 10 build 17763 or newer, including Windows Insider Previews.
The project maintains active development with regular updates to its control library and styling capabilities. The team provides comprehensive documentation through Microsoft Learn alongside an interactive WinUI 3 Gallery sample application available through the Microsoft Store, enabling developers to explore framework capabilities directly. Release notes are published to communicate updates and changes to the framework.
