Universal Windows Platform apps: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:47, 16 September 2023

Revision as of 10:09, 29 September 2023

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[[File:Wikipedia App snapped to Windows 8 desktop.png|thumb|Left: A traditional desktop app without contents; it is showing 60 [[Widget (GUI)|graphical widgets]], and a thick border.<br/>Right: Metro-style app; entirely composed of contents]]

'''Universal Windows Platform''' ('''UWP''') '''apps'''<ref>{{citation|title=Microsoft is trying to change Windows software forever — here's why it'll be a tough fight|first=Matt|last=Weinberger|date=March 17, 2016|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-universal-windows-platform-explained|access-date=June 27, 2016}}</ref> (formerly '''Windows Store apps''', '''Metro-style apps''' and '''Modern apps''')<ref name=Harrel>{{citation|title=Metro, Modern, Now Universal? Microsoft Can't Make Up Its Mind!|first=William|last=Harrel|date=April 10, 2015|work=Digital Trends|url=http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/microsoft-universal-apps/|access-date=June 27, 2016}}</ref> are [[Application software|applications]] that can be used across all compatible [[Microsoft Windows]] devices. They are primarily purchased and downloaded via the [[Microsoft Store (digital)|Microsoft Store]], Microsoft's digital storefront.<ref>{{citation|title=Microsoft's Windows app strategy comes under fire: 'The most aggressive move Microsoft has ever made'|first=Matt|last=Weinberger|date=March 4, 2016|work=Business Insider|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/epic-ceo-tim-sweeney-slams-windows-10-2016-3|access-date=June 27, 2016}}</ref>

==Nomenclature ==

Starting with [[Windows 10]], [[Microsoft]] initially used the term "Windows app" to describe [[Universal Windows Platform]] (UWP) apps. These were [[Application software|applications]] that could be installed from the [[Microsoft Store]], which was previously known as the [[Windows Store]]. Initially, these apps were called "Trusted Windows Store apps," and later they were referred to as "Trusted Microsoft Store apps." On the other hand, traditional programs designed to run on desktop computers were referred to as "[[Desktop app|desktop apps]]."

With the release of [[Windows 10]] version 1903, there was a shift in the terminology. [[Microsoft]] began using the term "Apps" to refer to both UWP apps and desktop apps indiscriminately. This change aimed to unify the naming convention for all types of applications.

It's worth noting that the term "[[Universal Windows Platform]]" (UWP) is primarily used in [[Microsoft|Microsoft's]] developer documentation to specifically refer to the platform itself. Microsoft also introduced the term "Windows Runtime app" retrospectively to describe the precursors of UWP apps, as there was previously no clear and unambiguous name for them.

== In Windows 8.x ==