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Universal Windows Platform (UWP) Introduction

What is UWP?

The Universal Windows Platform (UWP) provides a common app platform for all Windows devices, enabling developers to create a single package that adapts to PCs, tablets, phones, Xbox, HoloLens, and IoT devices.

Key Features

  • Responsive design with adaptive UI
  • Rich API surface for native Windows capabilities
  • Secure sandboxed execution
  • Microsoft Store distribution
  • Cross-device continuity and notifications

Getting Started

Follow these steps to create your first UWP app.

  1. Install Visual Studio 2022 with the “Universal Windows Platform development” workload.
  2. Launch Visual Studio and select Create a new project → Blank App (Universal Windows).
  3. Choose a project name and target version (e.g., Windows 10, version 1903).
  4. Press F5 to build and run the default app on your local machine.

For a quick hands‑on tutorial, see the sample code section.

Sample Code

This minimal UWP app displays a button that toggles background color.

<Window
    x:Class="SampleApp.MainWindow"
    xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
    xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
    Title="Sample App">
    <Grid Background="{ThemeResource ApplicationPageBackgroundThemeBrush}">
        <Button Content="Toggle Color"
                HorizontalAlignment="Center"
                VerticalAlignment="Center"
                Click="OnToggleClick"/>
    </Grid>
</Window>

using Microsoft.UI.Xaml;
using Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls;

namespace SampleApp
{
    public sealed partial class MainWindow : Window
    {
        private bool _isDark = false;
        public MainWindow()
        {
            this.InitializeComponent();
        }

        private void OnToggleClick(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
        {
            _isDark = !_isDark;
            this.RequestedTheme = _isDark ? ElementTheme.Dark : ElementTheme.Light;
        }
    }
}

Additional Resources