Windows Prerequisites for Development

This document outlines the essential prerequisites and recommended tools for developing applications on the Windows platform. Ensure all prerequisites are met before proceeding with your development environment setup.

Core Requirements

1. Operating System Versions

The following Windows operating system versions are supported for development:

Windows 11 (Latest release and previous two feature updates)
Windows 10 (Latest release and previous two feature updates)
Windows Server 2022
Windows Server 2019

Note: For optimal performance and access to the latest features, it is highly recommended to use the most recent stable version of Windows 11 or Windows 10.

2. Development Tools

A robust Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is crucial. We recommend Visual Studio:

Recommended IDE: Visual Studio

Visual Studio 2022: The latest version, offering extensive features for Windows development, including .NET, C++, and more.
Visual Studio Code (VS Code): A lightweight, powerful, and extensible source code editor for various languages, including C#, C++, and web technologies.

Download Visual Studio from the official Visual Studio website.

3. .NET Framework and SDKs

Depending on your project's target framework, you will need specific .NET components:

.NET 6 LTS: Long-Term Support release, suitable for most modern applications.
.NET 7: Latest feature release.
.NET Framework 4.8: Required for legacy applications or specific Windows features.

Install the necessary SDKs from the .NET download page.

Optional but Recommended Tools

1. Windows SDK

The Windows Software Development Kit (SDK) provides headers, libraries, and tools necessary for building Windows applications that use Windows APIs. It is typically installed with Visual Studio workloads, but can also be installed separately.

Tip: Ensure the correct Windows SDK version is selected in your Visual Studio project properties if you encounter compatibility issues.

2. Git Version Control

Version control is essential for managing your codebase. Git is the industry standard.

Install Git from git-scm.com.
Familiarize yourself with common Git commands like clone, commit, push, and pull.

3. Package Managers

Package managers simplify dependency management:

NuGet: The package manager for .NET. Integrated into Visual Studio and available as a command-line tool.
Chocolatey: A popular package manager for Windows, useful for installing and managing developer tools. Install via their website.

Hardware Considerations

While most modern development machines meet the requirements, consider the following:

Processor: A multi-core processor (e.g., Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 equivalent or better).
RAM: Minimum 8 GB, 16 GB or more recommended for complex projects and virtual machines.
Storage: SSD recommended for faster build times and overall system responsiveness. At least 256 GB free space is advisable.
Graphics: A graphics card compatible with DirectX 11 or later is recommended for UI development and testing.

Warning: Running development tools and emulators concurrently can consume significant system resources. Ensure your hardware is adequately provisioned.

Next Steps

Once you have met these prerequisites, you are ready to set up your specific development environment for Windows applications. Refer to the relevant documentation for your chosen technologies (e.g., UWP, WinUI, WPF, WinForms, ASP.NET Core).