Microsoft strongly recommends upgrading your code to the latest .NET framework, yet it is aware of the challenges that come with this process. To achieve this, we aim to develop an approach that migrates existing code to the latest .NET framework, optimizing its functionality and performance while utilizing the platform’s most recent features and resources. To facilitate the integration of Universal Windows Platform (UWP) support in the forthcoming .NET 9 release, a suite of tools has been developed and made available.
The UWP (Universal Windows Platform) support in .NET 9 is complex and nuanced, requiring a thoughtful approach to implement effectively. As a substitute, it’s a hybrid combination of tools operating across disparate levels of the .NET development stack, situated within the Visual Studio environment, the Windows Software Development Kit (SDK), and the .NET framework itself? By providing the necessary framework, they facilitate seamless integration with current C# code, paving the way for a smooth migration process to the Windows App SDK, allowing users to experience some of the advantages of a more modern platform. Incremental updates to applied sciences, such as advancing Windows UI user experiences while maintaining performance in XAML Islands, may yield substantial benefits. As a direct result, you’re reaping the benefits of a public release of tools that Microsoft is utilizing for its own app updates, with the Microsoft Store poised to leverage these tools to deliver a local AOT model in the near future— likely in November, pending the general availability and support for .NET 9.
One additional advantage of utilizing this tool is that it eliminates reliance on legacy .NET Native tooling, thereby reducing potential roadblocks and increasing overall flexibility. .NET Native was retired with its deprecation of support for older .NET Framework versions, particularly .NET Core 2.0 and .NET Standard 2.0, since it hadn’t been updated to accommodate newer .NET options. This variation enables you to seamlessly integrate newer libraries into your code, thereby granting access to a broader range of both .NET and Windows features.
