Microsoft’s Exciting Move: Open-Sourcing WinUI Framework
Earlier this month, Microsoft announced significant developments regarding its intention to open-source WinUI, the user interface framework utilized in Windows 11. This initiative has been highly anticipated by developers, yet the intricacies involved in making such a transition go beyond a simple toggle switch. Given that WinUI is integrated deeply within proprietary elements of the operating system, Microsoft must navigate this process with meticulous foresight. Following the initial announcement, further details about the WinUI Open Source Software (OSS) project have now been divulged.
Phased Approach to Open-Sourcing WinUI
The pathway to open-sourcing WinUI is structured into four distinct phases:
- Phase 1: Enhance the availability of internal contributions on GitHub.
- Phase 2: Enable developers to clone the repository and build WinUI in their local environments.
- Phase 3: Facilitate contributions from third-party developers to the project.
- Phase 4: Transition GitHub into the primary hub for development, issue tracking, and community interactions, while gradually phasing out internal repositories.
Current Developments and Timeline
At this moment, Microsoft’s development team is focused on “untangling”WinUI from elements of Windows that are not permissible for public sharing. Anticipated for release this month, Windows App SDK 1.8 currently resides in a preview phase, and since WinUI is intertwined with this SDK, developers will begin introducing pull requests on GitHub following its launch. Microsoft aims to wrap up Phase 1 by early October 2025, coinciding with the release of WASDK 1.8.
Exploring Developer Involvement
Regarding Phase 2, which will allow third-party developers to clone and locally build the repository, Microsoft has indicated that they are currently in a phase of “active exploration.”This necessitates a more measured approach, suggesting that updates on this front might take a while. The company elaborates:
Because WinUI’s shipping schedule is tied to the Windows App SDK, our branching strategy now lets us start completing PRs alongside the upcoming WASDK 1.8 release. The 1.8 Preview shipped on August 19, and the stable release is coming soon, which gives us the right foundation to begin integrating changes. With that alignment, we’re targeting early October for completion of Phase 1.
Phase 2 is still in active exploration, and while we’re treating it more cautiously, we hope to share tangible progress soon.
Join the Conversation
For those interested in the latest discussions surrounding the open-sourcing of WinUI, you can engage with the community on GitHub.
For more insights and updates, feel free to check the source article.
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