Build desktop apps for Windows

This documentation provides the latest guidance about building desktop apps for Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Get ready for development

Get started

• Start here!
• An overview of Windows development options
• Learning paths and modules
• Code samples

Design and UI

Overview

• Design and code your app UI
• Windows 11 design principles
• Make your apps great on Windows 11
• Windows developer FAQ

Deploy and publish

Overview

• Deployment overview
• Deploy apps
• The MSIX app package format
• Publish Windows apps and games

Artificial intelligence and machine learning

Concept

• Windows AI
• GitHub Copilot extension for Visual Studio
• Windows Machine Learning
• Windows Machine Learning samples

Community and support

Overview

• Microsoft Q&A Forum
• @WindowsDocs
• OneDevMinute on YouTube
• Windows developer support

Platforms

Architecture

• Windows App SDK
• .NET MAUI
• Universal Windows Platform (UWP)
• Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF)
• Windows Forms
• Other development technologies

API Reference

Reference

• WinRT API for the Windows SDK
• Win32 API for the Windows SDK
• WinRT API for the Windows App SDK
• Win32 API for the Windows App SDK
• WinUI 3 API reference