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Windows application programming interfaces
- Win32 refers to the collection of Windows application programming interfaces (APIs) for developing 32-bit programs.
(2) Win32 is the programming interface (API) for 32-bit and 64-bit Windows operating systems. Starting with Windows 95, developers write applications that call the routines in the Win32 API.
- Overview
- Get set up
- Modernize your desktop apps for Windows 10
- C++/WinRT
- What's new for Win32 APIs in Windows 10
- Get started with Win32 features and technologies
- Related topics
The Win32 API (also called the Windows API) is the original platform for native C/C++ Windows applications that require direct access to Windows and hardware. It provides a first-class development experience without depending on a managed runtime environment like .NET and WinRT (for UWP apps for Windows 10). This makes the Win32 API the platform of...
Follow these instructions and start creating desktop apps for Windows 10 that use the Win32 API.
1.Download or update Visual Studio 2019. If you don't already have Visual Studio 2019, you can install the free Microsoft Visual Studio Community 2019. When you install Visual Studio, make sure to select the Desktop development with C++ option. For download links, see our Downloads page.
If you have an existing desktop Win32 app, there are many features in the Universal Windows Platform (UWP) that you can use to deliver the best possible experience on Windows 10. For example, starting in Windows 10, version 1903, you can host UWP XAML controls in your desktop Win32 app using a feature called XAML Islands.
Most of these UWP features are available as modular components that you can adopt in your desktop app at your own pace without having to rewrite your entire application. You can enhance your existing desktop app by choosing which parts of Windows 10 and UWP to adopt.
Optionally, you can configure your development computer to use C++/WinRT. C++/WinRT is an entirely standard modern C++17 language projection that enables you to easily consume Windows Runtime APIs Windows Runtime (WinRT) APIs from your C++ Win32 desktop application. C++/WinRT is implemented as a header-file-based library.
To configure your project for C++/WinRT:
•For new projects, you can install the C++/WinRT Visual Studio Extension (VSIX) and use one of the C++/WinRT project templates included in that extension.
•For existing Windows desktop application projects, you can install the Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT NuGet package in the project.
To learn about new Win32 APIs that have been introduced in Windows 10, see what's new.
Win32 APIs exist for many features and technologies in Windows 10, including core user interface and windowing APIs, audio and graphics, and networking. For guidance and code samples about using these APIs, see our features and technologies index.
For example, Win32 is the major version of Windows API that runs on 32-bit systems. The name, Windows API, collectively refers to all versions of this capability of Windows.
Jan 31, 2019 · Alternatively called the Windows API and WinAPI, Win32 is the main set of Microsoft Windows APIs (application programming interface) used for developing 32-bit applications. These APIs are responsible for functions in the following categories: Administration and Management - Install, configure, and service applications or systems.
Aug 1, 2017 · The introduction of "Win32" was the last substantial change to the Windows API, and it's called "Win32" regardless of the target architecture. The SDK headers use _WIN32 to select the API. _WIN64, on the other hand, is used for the target architecture.
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Aug 29, 2017 · Win32 is the customary name for the Windows API. This API specifies how applications can interface with the operating system. It is roughly comparable with the POSIX standard on Unix, but Win32 also covers GUIs and many other features. The Win32 API is not limited to 32-bit Windows installations.
