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How to develop a GUI application

Jiaxin Zhang 140 Reputation points
2026-01-25T11:39:59.1533333+00:00

How to develop a GUI application?

I can only develop console applications now.

Windows development | WinUI
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Jack Dang (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 18,640 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
2026-01-26T03:42:44.31+00:00

Hi @Jiaxin Zhang ,

Thanks for reaching out.

To build a GUI app, you need to use a UI framework. Which one you choose depends on what kind of app you want to make:

  • WinForms - The simplest place to start on Windows. You drag buttons onto a window and write code for what happens when you click them. Great for learning the basics.
  • WPF - More modern and powerful than WinForms. Uses XAML to describe the UI and is better for larger or more polished desktop apps.
  • WinUI 3 - The newest Windows UI framework. Best if you’re targeting modern Windows apps and want long-term support.
  • .NET MAUI - If you want one app that can run on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

In practice, you don’t “convert” a console app into a GUI app. Instead, you:

  1. Create a new GUI project in Visual Studio.
  2. Design the UI (window, buttons, inputs).
  3. Move or reuse your existing console logic behind button clicks or other UI events.

A good first step is to open Visual Studio, create a WinForms or WPF project, and build something simple like a window with a button that shows a message. Once that clicks, everything else builds on top of it.

Hope this helps! If my answer was helpful - kindly follow the instructions here so others with the same problem can benefit as well.

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  1. AI answer

    2026-01-25T11:40:10.0133333+00:00

    To develop a GUI application, you can use Windows Forms, which is part of the .NET Framework and .NET Core. Windows Forms allows you to create rich, interactive user interfaces using a drag-and-drop forms designer in Visual Studio. Here are the steps you can follow:

    1. Create a New Project: Start by creating a new Windows Forms application in Visual Studio.
    2. Design the User Interface: Use the forms designer to add controls such as buttons, text boxes, and labels to your form. You can easily align these controls using grid lines and snap lines provided by the designer.
    3. Handle Events: Write code to respond to user actions (like button clicks) by creating event handlers. This allows your application to react to user inputs.
    4. Run and Test Your Application: After designing and coding your application, run it to test its functionality and make adjustments as needed.
    5. Custom Controls: If the existing controls do not meet your needs, you can create custom controls using the UserControl class.

    For more detailed guidance, you can refer to tutorials on creating Windows Forms applications and handling events.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  2. Castorix31 91,871 Reputation points
    2026-01-25T19:31:21.14+00:00

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