Upgrading WPF will ensure that apps running on Windows 11 can fully leverage the operating system’s theming features. For instance, applications can now access the latest Windows color schemes, which could mean using accent colors when selecting buttons, texts, and other elements. Additionally, apps will be able to incorporate rounded corners for more elements such as buttons or controls.
Enhanced Visual Experience
In one of the GitHub posts, Microsoft highlighted that Windows 11 modernization for WPF could provide access to new color brushes, gradients, accent colors, and variations. Apps can also utilize features such as Snap Layouts. “Support for Win11 features such as snap layout, rounded corners for controls, and newer color schemes would bring an enhanced experience for WPF applications,” Microsoft noted in a support document first spotted by Windows Latest. This will improve the overall appearance of apps built on WPF, ensuring they do not look out of place and complement the UI scheme of Windows 11.
Accessibility and Performance Improvements
Improving WPF controls will aid in developing apps that are accessible to everyone, including users with various impairments. Building accessibility-focused apps that do not pose usage challenges is a top priority for this program. Microsoft also aims to enhance the overall performance of apps built using WPF. The company plans to benchmark how apps run on different devices and resolve any issues within WPF.
Microsoft intends to make these apps run faster on Windows 11, use less memory, and launch quicker with better rendering.
Addressing Issues
The Redmond giant is committed to addressing major bugs and PRs within WPF. It will prioritize significant issues and also seek assistance from the community. Gradually, the substantial backlog of unaddressed bugs will diminish, allowing developers to continue their work without having to pause developments or ship apps with broken features.
WPF is far from perfect on Windows 11, but Microsoft is determined not to let it remain stagnant. During the Build 2024 developer conference, Microsoft touted WPF and WinAppSDK as the future of Windows apps. These new plans aim to improve the overall framework while identifying and fixing any issues that arise in the future.
On the official roadmap page, Microsoft clarified its stance on missing support for emojis, hyphen ligatures, SVG support, and more. The company is aware of the inadequate feature set and plans to enhance it. However, fixing existing issues appears to be the first course of action, leaving little room for these additional requests at the moment.