Bring your desktop app to the Universal Windows Platform with the Universal App Converter

2 min. read

Published onMarch 30, 2016

published onMarch 30, 2016

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One of the more exciting things announced during Microsoft’sBuild 2016was just how easy it can be for developers to move their desktop Windows (Win32) apps over to the Universal Windows Platform. The Desktop App Converter is Microsoft’s new tool for enabling Live Tiles, notifications, Cortana, and more in Win32 apps while also making those traditional applications available in the Windows Store.

Essentially, theDesktop App Converterserves as a bridging tool between Win32 apps and Universal Windows Apps, in much the same way that Project Islandwood does for iOS apps. Run a Win32 app through the Converter, test it, plug in the additional UWP features and functions, and then push to the Windows Store.

Most important, applications that are converted to Universal Windows Apps become available on all Windows 10 devices. That means a Win32 app can make it over to the Xbox (minus some unsupported features, of course) or even a Windows 10 Mobile device. That’s not to say every application will make sense on every device type, but it’s good to see that Microsoft is making it easier to “port” apps over where it makes the most sense.

Here are the key benefits that Microsoft envisions:

If you’re a Windows developer, head on over to the Microsoft developer site and get signed up. The sooner you start playing around with the Desktop App Converter, the sooner you’ll be able to help flesh out the growing Windows Store.

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time).

For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web.

Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they’re looking for.

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Radu Tyrsina

With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low#

Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app#

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Bring your desktop app to the Universal Windows Platform with the Universal App Converter#

With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low

Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app

Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities

Death Stranding Director’s Cut is now Xbox X|S at a huge discount

Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier

Bring your desktop app to the Universal Windows Platform with the Universal App Converter