All articles tagged with #winui 3
Microsoft says Windows 11 memory efficiency has improved, reducing memory overhead and latency by tuning WinUI 3 and optimizing memory use for devices with 8 GB RAM and above, with Chromium and WebView2 components involved; however, a TechPowerUp poll shows only a small share noticed improvements, while many users feel Windows 11 remains the same or worse.
Microsoft Build 2026 signals a native-first Windows strategy, urging developers to build modern WinUI 3 apps and migrate toward native Windows components. The event highlights WinUI 3 templates and an AI-assisted WinUI plugin for GitHub Copilot and Claude Code, plus sessions like “Use agents to build WinUI 3 apps” that guide migration and modernization. It also outlines Windows K2 to rebuild core experiences (e.g., Start Menu) as native components, and pairs these software efforts with hardware like the Surface Laptop Ultra (up to 128GB RAM, NVIDIA RTX Spark) to handle AI workloads, signaling faster, more responsive Windows experiences on ARM64 and beyond.
Microsoft CTO Mark Russinovich acknowledged that Win32—the 1990s-era API—remains a first-class surface in Windows 11 due to its vast ecosystem, despite decades of attempts to replace it. Microsoft is gradually modernizing with native WinUI 3 via the Windows App SDK and reworking UI elements (like the Run dialog) to be faster and more memory-efficient, while WebView2-driven web apps have contributed to RAM usage. The move signals a shift back toward native apps to improve performance and consistency while preserving compatibility with legacy Win32 software.
Microsoft has launched Windows K2, an ongoing initiative to strengthen Windows 11 by prioritizing performance, reliability, and UI quality. Plans include debloating the OS, faster File Explorer and a WinUI 3-based Start menu, a new System Composer, removal of Start menu ads, and boosted Windows Insider engagement, with previews rolling out over the summer. There’s no fixed completion date, as K2 aims to keep Windows strong across current and future builds and restore user trust.
Microsoft says the Home and Gallery views of Windows 11 File Explorer were rebuilt with the WinUI 3 framework as part of the Windows App SDK (WASDK), which explains their smooth scrolling. The rest of File Explorer still runs on legacy Win32 code, causing jagged scrolling. The company plans a phased modernization, prioritizing reliability and performance for the May 2026 update before bringing smooth scrolling to all folders, while continuing to gather feedback on touch usability and maintaining existing features like type-ahead search and layout options.
Microsoft outlined upcoming Windows 11 updates focused on memory efficiency and a faster, smoother user experience, including new background memory policies to free RAM, a shift toward the desktop-only WinUI 3 framework to reduce latency, and optimizations for core components like File Explorer and Windows Search. The move comes amid concerns about RAM usage on machines with 8–16 GB and competitive pressure from devices with tighter memory footprints.
Windows Central reports that Winhance, an open‑source Windows debloater, migrated from the older WPF base to Microsoft's WinUI 3 for a Windows 11–like look. The latest release (v26.02.x, with v26.02.17 as the current build) includes UI migration refinements, performance improvements, and reduced RAM usage, while continuing to offer batch uninstall/installation of apps and advanced tools like an Autounattend XML option. The project remains on GitHub, and readers are reminded to back up their data before making system tweaks.