Windows SDK Overview
What is the Windows SDK?
The Windows Software Development Kit (SDK) provides the headers, libraries, metadata, and tools required to develop applications for Windows. It enables developers to create software that runs on a wide range of Windows devices, from desktops to tablets, IoT, and Xbox.
Key Components
- Headers & Libraries – API definitions for Win32, COM, DirectX, .NET, and more.
- Tools – Debuggers, profilers, code analysis, and the Windows App Certification Kit.
- Documentation – Integrated help files, samples, and API reference.
- Platform Packages – Target specific Windows versions (e.g., Windows 10, Windows 11).
Getting Started
After installing the SDK, you can start a new project in Visual Studio or use the command line with MSBuild and dotnet. Below is a minimal C++ program that prints “Hello, Windows!” using the Windows API.
#include <windows.h>
int WINAPI WinMain(HINSTANCE, HINSTANCE, LPSTR, int)
{
MessageBoxW(NULL, L"Hello, Windows!", L"SDK Demo", MB_OK);
return 0;
}