[Visual Studio 2022 and later] Install the required tools and workloads using the console and one of the following commands. These commands will open Visual Studio Installer with any missing workloads selected, for which you can select Modify to install the required workloads.
winget install "Visual Studio Community 2022" --override "--add Microsoft.VisualStudio.Workload.ManagedDesktop Microsoft.VisualStudio.ComponentGroup.WindowsAppSDK.Cs" -s msstore
Console
winget install "Visual Studio Enterprise 2022" --override "--add Microsoft.VisualStudio.Workload.ManagedDesktop Microsoft.VisualStudio.ComponentGroup.WindowsAppSDK.Cs"
Console
winget install "Visual Studio Professional 2022" --override "--add Microsoft.VisualStudio.Workload.ManagedDesktop Microsoft.VisualStudio.ComponentGroup.WindowsAppSDK.Cs"
winget install "Visual Studio Community 2022" --override "--add Microsoft.VisualStudio.Workload.NativeDesktop Microsoft.VisualStudio.ComponentGroup.WindowsAppSDK.Cpp" -s msstore
Console
winget install "Visual Studio Enterprise 2022" --override "--add Microsoft.VisualStudio.Workload.NativeDesktop Microsoft.VisualStudio.ComponentGroup.WindowsAppSDK.Cpp"
Console
winget install "Visual Studio Professional 2022" --override "--add Microsoft.VisualStudio.Workload.NativeDesktop Microsoft.VisualStudio.ComponentGroup.WindowsAppSDK.Cpp"
Install tools manually
The following sections describe how to install the required tools and workloads manually.
Install Visual Studio
Use the following links to install Visual Studio 2022 (recommended) or Visual Studio 2019. You can choose between the free Visual Studio Community Edition, Visual Studio Professional, or Visual Studio Enterprise. Before installing either, see System requirements for Windows app development.
Important
Visual Studio 2022 is recommended for developing apps using any version of the Windows App SDK (Visual Studio 2019 supports Windows App SDK 1.1 and earlier).
During Visual Studio installation, you have the option to install workloads and components (you can also open the Visual Studio Installer and select Modify to add workloads and components after installation). We recommend installing the following:
For C# app development using the Windows App SDK, select .NET Desktop Development.
Then in the Installation details pane of the installation dialog box, select Windows App SDK C# Templates (at the bottom of the list).
For C++ app development using the Windows App SDK, select Desktop development with C++
Then in the Installation details pane of the installation dialog box, select Windows App SDK C++ Templates (at the bottom of the list).
On the Individual components tab, in the SDKs, libraries, and frameworks section, make sure Windows 10 SDK (10.0.19041.0) is selected.
From within the Visual Studio Installer app:
On the Workloads tab:
For C# app development using the Windows App SDK, select .NET Desktop Development.
For C++ app development using the Windows App SDK, select Desktop development with C++.
On the Individual components tab, in the SDKs, libraries, and frameworks section, make sure Windows 10 SDK (10.0.19041.0) is selected.
Visual Studio project and item templates
The Windows App SDK includes Visual Studio project and item templates for creating and developing apps that use the WinUI 3 library to implement the user interface.
Select C# or C++ as the language, Windows as the platform, and WinUI as the Project type to create a new Windows App SDK project.
Optionally, install Template Studio for WinUI (C#) to accelerate the creation of new .NET WinUI apps using a wizard-based UI. Select from a variety of project types and features to generate a project template customized for you.
The templates are available by installing a Visual Studio extension (VSIX).
Note
If you have a Windows App SDK Visual Studio extension (VSIX) already installed, then uninstall it before installing a new version. For directions, see Manage extensions for Visual Studio.
Visual Studio 2019 supports only Windows App SDK 1.1 and earlier. Visual Studio 2022 is recommended for developing apps with any version of the Windows App SDK.
The templates are available by installing a Visual Studio extension (VSIX).
Note
If you have a Windows App SDK Visual Studio extension (VSIX) already installed, then uninstall it before installing a new version. For directions, see Manage extensions for Visual Studio.
You can install the latest stable release VSIX from Visual Studio. Select Extensions > Manage Extensions, search for Windows App SDK, and download the Windows App SDK extension. Close and reopen Visual Studio, and follow the prompts to install the extension.
Alternatively, you can download the extension directly from Visual Studio Marketplace:
In releases 1.0.3 and 1.1 Preview 2 and later, the Windows App SDK uses Hybrid C/C++ runtime library linkage (hybrid CRT linkage). This is a CRT linkage technique that simplifies deployment. Whether you're a C++ application developer or a C++ library developer, here are some resources for learning about hybrid CRT linkage:
The source for this content can be found on GitHub, where you can also create and review issues and pull requests. For more information, see our contributor guide.
Windows developer feedback
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This article provides instructions for updating a project created with an earlier preview or release version of the Windows App SDK or WinUI 3 to the latest version.