Tools & Software Development Kits (SDKs)
Explore the essential tools and SDKs available for developing applications on the Microsoft platform. This section provides access to comprehensive documentation, downloads, and resources to enhance your development workflow.
Featured Development Tools
Visual Studio
The integrated development environment (IDE) for building all types of Windows applications, from desktop to cloud. Includes powerful debugging, code editing, and design tools.
Learn More.NET SDK
The .NET Software Development Kit provides the necessary tools and libraries to build and run .NET applications. Supports C#, F#, and Visual Basic.
Learn MoreWindows SDK
The Windows SDK contains the headers, libraries, and tools required to develop applications for the Windows operating system.
Learn MoreAzure SDKs
Tools for integrating your applications with Azure services. Available for various languages and platforms.
Learn MoreSoftware Development Kits (SDKs)
Discover SDKs for various Microsoft technologies:
Platform SDKs
- Windows 11 SDK Latest features and APIs for Windows.
- Universal Windows Platform (UWP) SDK For building apps that run across Windows devices.
- Windows UI Library (WinUI) SDK Modern UI controls and experiences for Windows.
Developer Framework SDKs
- .NET Core SDK Cross-platform, high-performance .NET.
- ASP.NET Core SDK For building modern web applications.
- Xamarin SDK For building native mobile apps with C#.
Cloud & Service SDKs
- Azure SDK for .NET Interact with Azure services.
- Azure SDK for JavaScript Develop cloud applications in JavaScript/TypeScript.
- Azure SDK for Python Build Python applications with Azure.
Getting Started
To begin developing, we recommend starting with:
- Downloading the latest version of Visual Studio.
- Installing the relevant SDKs for your chosen platform (e.g., .NET SDK, Windows SDK).
- Exploring our comprehensive sample code repositories.
Common Questions
What is the difference between a tool and an SDK?
A development tool is a software application used to create, debug, or maintain other applications. An SDK (Software Development Kit) is a collection of tools, libraries, documentation, code samples, and sometimes even hardware references, specifically designed to help developers build applications for a particular platform or technology.
Which SDK should I use for Windows desktop development?
For modern Windows desktop applications, consider the Windows UI Library (WinUI) SDK along with the latest Windows SDK. For .NET-based desktop applications, the .NET SDK is essential.
How do I find specific API documentation?
You can navigate to the APIs section of our documentation or use the search bar at the top of the page to find specific API references.