Get started with React on Windows

React is an open-source JavaScript library for building user interfaces. Created by Meta, React lets you compose complex UIs from small, reusable pieces called components. It focuses solely on the view layer, making it easy to integrate into existing projects and quick to learn.

Why use React?

• Component-based: Encapsulated components manage their own state, so you compose them to build complex UIs without tangled logic.
• Declarative: You describe what your UI should look like and React handles the DOM updates efficiently.
• Large ecosystem: A huge library of community packages, tools, and learning resources backed by an active community.

Install React on Windows

Choose your preferred environment:

• Install React on Windows — Use Vite directly on Windows with Node.js.
• Install React on WSL — Use Vite on Windows Subsystem for Linux for a Linux-compatible dev environment (recommended for deployment to Linux servers).

Build native Windows or mobile apps with React

To build native Universal Windows Platform (UWP) or WPF desktop apps using React (not web apps), see React Native for Desktop — a Microsoft open-source project that targets Windows, Android, iOS, and macOS.

For cross-platform mobile apps, visit reactnative.dev.

Tutorials and learning resources

Rather than duplicate what the React community maintains better, we recommend:

• react.dev — Official React documentation and interactive tutorial.
• React learning path on Microsoft Learn — Structured online modules for beginners.
• Next.js docs — React framework for production web apps.
• Gatsby docs — React-based static site generator.