Windows UI Guidelines
Summary: This document outlines the core principles and best practices for designing user interfaces for Windows applications. Adhering to these guidelines ensures consistency, usability, and a familiar experience for users across the Windows ecosystem.
I. Core Principles
The foundation of effective Windows UI design rests on a few key principles:
- Clarity: Make every element, action, and piece of information clear and understandable.
- Consistency: Maintain a predictable and uniform experience throughout the application and across the platform.
- Efficiency: Enable users to accomplish tasks quickly and with minimal effort.
- Familiarity: Leverage established Windows interaction patterns and visual cues.
- Feedback: Provide timely and appropriate visual or auditory cues to inform users about system status and their actions.
II. Layout & Navigation
Effective layout and navigation are crucial for guiding users through your application.
A. Adaptive Layouts
Design layouts that adapt seamlessly to different screen sizes and orientations. Use responsive design techniques to ensure content is always readable and interactive.
- Employ flexible grids and containers.
- Prioritize content for smaller screens.
- Consider touch targets and spacing for touch-based interactions.
B. Navigation Patterns
Choose appropriate navigation patterns based on your application's complexity:
- Hamburger Menu: Useful for applications with many top-level navigation items.
- Pivot/Tabs: Ideal for switching between related views within the same context.
- Command Bar: Provides quick access to common actions.
- Search: Essential for applications with large amounts of content.
Example of a Command Bar:
<div class="command-bar">
<button></button> <!-- Icon for Save -->
<button></button> <!-- Icon for Edit -->
<button></button> <!-- Icon for Print -->
<span class="spacer"></span>
<input type="search" placeholder="Search...">
</div>
III. Controls & Patterns
Leverage the rich set of built-in Windows controls to provide a familiar and functional experience.
A. Standard Controls
Use standard UI elements such as buttons, text boxes, checkboxes, radio buttons, sliders, and dropdowns. Ensure they adhere to platform styling for a consistent look and feel.
B. Common Patterns
Implement common interaction patterns:
- Dialogs: For transient messages, confirmations, or data entry.
- Tooltips: To provide contextual information on hover.
- Context Menus: For performing actions on specific items.
- Notifications: To inform users of events, errors, or important updates.
IV. Accessibility
Designing for accessibility ensures your application is usable by everyone, including people with disabilities.
- Keyboard Navigation: Ensure all interactive elements are focusable and operable via keyboard.
- Screen Reader Support: Use semantic HTML and ARIA attributes to provide meaningful information to screen readers.
- Color Contrast: Maintain sufficient color contrast between text and backgrounds.
- Resizable Text: Allow users to adjust text size without loss of functionality.
When designing custom controls, always consider ARIA roles and states:
<button role="button" aria-label="Close dialog">X</button>
V. Branding & Identity
While consistency is key, your application should also have its own distinct identity.
- Color Palette: Use colors thoughtfully. While adhering to Windows' general aesthetic, incorporate your brand colors strategically.
- Typography: Use clear and legible fonts. The default Windows fonts are highly recommended for familiarity.
- Iconography: Utilize clear, concise icons that follow platform conventions.
VI. Further Resources
For more in-depth information and detailed specifications, please refer to the official Microsoft Design documentation: