Universal Windows Platform apps: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 13:41, 14 July 2024

Revision as of 11:28, 25 July 2024

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{{Outdated |reason=The article omits latest developments such as the newest name ("packaged apps") and related technologies such as AppContainer, AppSilo, WinUI 3, MAUI, MSIX, and MSIXVC. Changes in Windows 11 aren't covered. |date=July 2024}}

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{{short description|Applications usable across all compatible Microsoft Windows devices}}

[[File:Khan Academy Metro app (player).png|thumb|[[Khan Academy]], an example of a Universal Windows App]]

[[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]]

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==Nomenclature==

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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]], 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." Traditional programs designed to run on desktop computers were referred to as "[[Desktopdesktop app|desktop apps]]s."

With the release of the [[Windows 10, version 1903|Windows 10 May 2019 update]], 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.

Note that "[[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 ==

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In Windows 8.x, Metro-style apps do not run in a [[window (computing)|window]]. Instead, they either occupy the entire screen or are snapped to one side, in which case they occupy the entire height of the screen but only part of its width. They have no title bar, system menu, window borders or control buttons. Command interfaces like scroll bars are usually hidden on start. Menus are located in the "[[Windows shell#Charms|settings charm]]." Metro-style apps use the UI controls of Windows 8.x and typically follow Windows 8.x UI guidelines, such as horizontal scrolling and the inclusion of edge-UIs, like the app bar.<ref name="Infoworld-Win81u">{{Cite web |url=http://www.infoworld.com/article/2606675/microsoft-windows/147162-What-s-new-in-the-Windows-8.1-Update.html#slide6 |title=What's new in Windows 8.1 Update |work=[[InfoWorld]] |publisher=[[IDG]] |date=8 April 2014 |first=Woody |last=Leonhart }}</ref>

In response to criticism from customers a title bar was added in [[Windows 8.1]], but was hidden unless users move the mouse cursor to the top of the screen. However, the [[Hamburger button|hamburger]] menu button on the title bar gives access to the charms.<ref name="Infoworld-Win81u" />

===Distribution and licensing===

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For most users, the only point of entry for Metro-style apps is the [[Windows Store]]. Enterprises operating a [[Windows ___domain]] infrastructure may enter into a contract with Microsoft that allows them to [[sideload]] their line-of-business Metro-style apps, circumventing Windows Store. Also, major web browser vendors are selectively exempted from this rule, they are allowed to circumvent Microsoft guidelines and Windows Store and run a Metro-style version of themselves if the user chooses to make their product the default web browser.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/googles-latest-chrome-release-tries-to-replace-the-windows-8-desktop/ |title=Google's latest Chrome release tries to replace the Windows 8 desktop |work=[[ZDNet]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=15 January 2014 |first=Ed |last=Bott |quote=Under Microsoft’s rules, Metro-style browsers are able to sidestep requirements that apply to all other apps, including the mandate to be distributed through the Windows Store}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Branscombe|first=Mary|title=Windows 8 browsers: the only Metro apps to get desktop power|url=http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/windows-8-browsers-the-only-metro-apps-to-get-desktop-power-1073930|work=TechRadar|publisher=Future Publishing|access-date=17 January 2014|date=27 March 2012}}</ref>

[[Windows RT]] requires all installed apps to be from the [[Windows Store]], or be verified by Microsoft (most internal applications).

===Multiple copies===

Before Windows 8, programs were identified by their static [[computer icon|icon]]s. The [[Windows Shell#Taskbar|Windows taskbar]] was responsible for representing every app that had a window while running. Metro-style apps, however, are identified by their "tiles" that can show their icon and also other dynamic contents. In addition, in Windows 8 and [[Windows 8.1]] RTM, they are not shown on the Windows taskbar when they run, but on a dedicated app switcher on the left side of the screen.<ref>{{cite web|title=Switch between open apps|url=http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/support/apps-and-windows-store/how-to-switch-between-apps?lc=1033|work=[[Microsoft Surface]] manual|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|access-date=31 December 2013}}</ref> [[Windows 8.1 Update]] added taskbar icons for Metro-style apps.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fitzsimmons |first=Michelle |title=Windows 8.1 Update 1: hands on with Microsoft's latest Windows update |url= http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/windows-8-1-update-1-what-s-in-microsoft-s-latest-windows-update-1232863 |work=[[TechRadar]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |access-date=May 19, 2014 |date=May 13, 2014}}</ref>

There is no set limit on how many copies of desktop apps can run simultaneously. For example, one user may run as many copies of programs such as [[MicrosoftWindows Notepad|Notepad]], [[Paint (software)|Paint]] or [[Firefox]] as long as the system resources can support. (Some desktop apps, such as [[Windows Media Player]], arehave designedextra tocode allowthat onlyprevents aspawning singlemore instance,than butone this is not enforced by the operating systeminstance.) However, in Windows 8, only one copy of Metro-style apps may run at any given time; invoking the app brings the running instance to the front. True multi-instancing of these apps were not available until Windows 10 version 1803 (released in May 2018).<ref name="multi-instancing">{{cite magazine|last1=Whitechapel|first1=Andrew|title=Universal Windows Platform - Closing UWP-Win32 Gaps|url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/mt846651|website=MSDN Magazine|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|volume=33|number=5|date=May 2018}}</ref>

== In Windows 10 and Windows 11 ==

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==Security==

Traditional Windows applications generally have the power to use and change their ecosystem however they want to. Windows [[user account]] rights, [[User Account Control]] and [[antivirus software]] attempt to keep this ability in check and notify the user when the app tries to use it, possibly for malicious purposes. UWP apps, however, are [[sandboxed]] and cannot permanently change a Windows ecosystem. They need permission to access hardware devices such as [[webcam|webcams]]s, [[microphone]]s or their [[file system]] which is restricted to user folders, such as [[My Documents]]. Microsoft further moderates these programs and may remove them from the Windows Store if they are discovered to have security or privacy issues.<ref>{{cite web |title=Microsoft talks Windows Store features, Metro app sandboxing for Windows 8 developers |url=https://www.theverge.com/2012/5/17/3026590/microsoft-windows-8-developers-windows-store-sandboxing |work=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=17 May 2012 |access-date=12 January 2013 |first=Chris |last=Ziegler}}</ref><ref name=bi-windows8>{{cite web |last=Rosoff |first=Matt |title=Here's Everything You Wanted To Know About Microsoft's Upcoming iPad Killers |url=http://articles.businessinsider.com/2012-02-09/tech/31040510_1_steven-sinofsky-pcs-microsoft-first |work=[[Business Insider]] |date=9 February 2012 |access-date=12 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122030754/http://articles.businessinsider.com/2012-02-09/tech/31040510_1_steven-sinofsky-pcs-microsoft-first |archive-date=22 January 2013 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

==See also==

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==References==

{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==

* [https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/application-management/apps-in-windows-10 Index of Windows 10 apps]

{{Windows Phone}}