MSDN: Windows Programming Documentation

Your central hub for developing applications on the Windows platform.

Welcome to Windows Programming

Explore the vast resources available to build powerful and innovative applications for Windows. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, this documentation provides the tools, guidance, and inspiration you need to succeed.

Getting Started

Begin your journey with essential guides, setup instructions, and an overview of the Windows development landscape.

  • Setting Up Your Development Environment
  • Introduction to UWP Development
  • Win32 API Fundamentals
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Core Technologies

Dive deep into the technologies that power Windows applications, from the latest advancements to foundational concepts.

  • Windows UI Library (WinUI)
  • .NET and C# for Windows
  • DirectX for Graphics and Gaming
  • Windows Runtime (WinRT)
Explore Technologies

API Reference

Access comprehensive documentation for Windows APIs, ensuring you have the details you need for every aspect of development.

  • Win32 API Functions
  • COM Interfaces
  • System Services
  • Platform Extensions
Browse APIs

Best Practices & Design

Learn how to create user-friendly, performant, and accessible applications that adhere to Windows design principles.

  • Fluent Design System
  • Accessibility Guidelines
  • Performance Optimization
  • Security Considerations
Discover Best Practices

Featured Topics

Code Spotlight

See how these concepts come to life with practical examples.

// Example: Creating a simple Win32 Window #include <windows.h> int WINAPI WinMain(HINSTANCE hInstance, HINSTANCE hPrevInstance, LPSTR lpCmdLine, int nCmdShow) { WNDCLASS wc = { sizeof(WNDCLASS), CS_HREDRAW | CS_VREDRAW, DefWindowProc, 0, 0, hInstance, NULL, NULL, NULL, "MyWindowClass" }; RegisterClass(&wc); HWND hWnd = CreateWindow("MyWindowClass", "Hello, Windows!", WS_OVERLAPPEDWINDOW, CW_USEDEFAULT, CW_USEDEFAULT, 300, 200, NULL, NULL, hInstance, NULL); ShowWindow(hWnd, nCmdShow); UpdateWindow(hWnd); MSG msg; while (GetMessage(&msg, NULL, 0, 0)) { TranslateMessage(&msg); DispatchMessage(&msg); } return msg.wParam; }

Explore more Code Samples to accelerate your development.