Welcome to the detailed documentation for the Windows SDK 23H2 release. This update brings significant enhancements to developer tools, APIs, and platform capabilities, enabling you to build the next generation of Windows applications.
Key Highlights of Windows SDK 23H2
This release focuses on improving performance, enhancing security, and expanding support for emerging hardware and software trends. Explore the new features below to leverage the full power of Windows.
New Features and Enhancements
Enhanced .NET Framework Support
The Windows SDK 23H2 includes updated tooling and libraries for .NET Framework development. This ensures better compatibility and performance for applications targeting older .NET versions while also paving the way for future integrations.
- Improved debugging experience for .NET Framework 4.8.x.
- New templates for common .NET Framework application patterns.
Advanced Graphics and Media APIs
Developers can now take advantage of cutting-edge graphics rendering and media processing capabilities. This includes optimizations for the latest GPU hardware and new APIs for media encoding and decoding.
- DirectX 12 Ultimate feature updates.
- Media Foundation enhancements for AV1 decoding.
- New APIs for real-time video effects.
Windows App SDK Integration
Deeper integration with the Windows App SDK provides a unified development experience for building modern Windows applications. This SDK allows for greater control over UI, lifecycle, and system resources.
- Latest stable releases of WinUI 3 and other Windows App SDK components.
- Simplified deployment and updates for packaged applications.
- Consistent APIs across different Windows app types.
Security and Privacy Improvements
Security is paramount. This SDK release incorporates new APIs and best practices to help you build more secure applications and protect user data.
- Enhanced credential management APIs.
- New tools for code signing and integrity checks.
- Improved privacy controls for application access to user data.
API Updates and Samples
Key API Changes
Several core Windows APIs have been updated to reflect the new features and improvements. Developers are encouraged to review the following:
- Updates to the Windows Runtime (WinRT) APIs for UWP and WinUI 3.
- New functions and structures in the Win32 API for system management.
- Changes in networking and connectivity APIs.
Sample Code
Explore our updated sample code repository to see these new features in action. These samples demonstrate best practices and provide a starting point for your own projects.
// Example: Using a new WinUI 3 control
import Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls;
public sealed partial class MyPage : Page
{
public MyPage()
{
this.InitializeComponent();
var newButton = new Button() { Content = "Click Me!" };
this.Content = newButton;
}
}You can find the full code examples on the MSDN Samples GitHub repository.
Tools and Developer Experience
Visual Studio Integration
The Windows SDK 23H2 works seamlessly with the latest versions of Visual Studio. Ensure you have the appropriate workloads installed for C++, C#, and other development languages.
Debugging and Performance Profiling
New and improved tools are available for debugging and profiling your applications, helping you identify and resolve performance bottlenecks more effectively.
We are committed to providing developers with the tools and documentation they need to succeed. For detailed API references, migration guides, and tutorials, please visit the main Windows Developer Documentation portal.