Win32 vs WinUI

Developers should learn Win32 when working on legacy Windows applications, system-level tools, or performance-sensitive desktop software that requires direct hardware access, such as antivirus programs, drivers, or custom utilities meets developers should learn winui when building windows desktop applications that require a modern, native ui with access to the latest windows features and design principles. Here's our take.

Win32

Nice Pick

Developers should learn Win32 when working on legacy Windows applications, system-level tools, or performance-sensitive desktop software that requires direct hardware access, such as antivirus programs, drivers, or custom utilities

Pros

• It's essential for maintaining and updating older codebases or when targeting specific Windows versions without
• Related to: c-plus-plus, windows-sdk

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

WinUI

Developers should learn WinUI when building Windows desktop applications that require a modern, native UI with access to the latest Windows features and design principles

Pros

• It is particularly useful for projects targeting Windows 10 and 11, where consistency with the operating system's look and feel is important, such as in productivity tools, enterprise software, or consumer apps
• Related to: c-sharp, uwp

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

These tools serve different purposes. Win32 is a platform while WinUI is a framework. We picked Win32 based on overall popularity, but your choice depends on what you're building.

The Bottom Line

Win32 wins

Based on overall popularity. Win32 is more widely used, but WinUI excels in its own space.