Win32 API Overview

Introduction

The Win32 API (also known as the Windows API) is the core set of interfaces provided by Microsoft Windows for developing native desktop applications. It offers low‑level access to the operating system’s features, such as window management, graphics, input, file I/O, threading, and more.

Used by developers for over three decades, it remains the foundation for many modern Windows frameworks and tools.

Core Components

  • User32.dll – Window creation, message handling, and UI controls.
  • Gdi32.dll – Graphics Device Interface for drawing and rendering.
  • Kernel32.dll – System services, memory management, and threading.
  • Advapi32.dll – Advanced Windows API for security, registry, and services.
  • Comctl32.dll – Common controls like toolbars, list views, and tree views.

Development Tools

Start building Win32 applications with any of these tools:

Sample Code

#include <windows.h>

int WINAPI WinMain(HINSTANCE hInst, HINSTANCE hPrev, LPSTR lpCmdLine, int nCmdShow) {
    MessageBox(NULL, L"Hello, Win32!", L"Demo", MB_OK);
    return 0;
}

Compile with cl /EHsc demo.cpp user32.lib or g++ demo.cpp -lgdi32 -luser32 -o demo.exe.

Explore more examples in the Samples section.

Resources & Documentation