Migrate and modernize Windows apps

Keep your current desktop app model and add modern Windows capabilities, or move to a different app model or UI framework.

Choose your path

Start with the goal that matches how much of your existing app you want to change.

Choose between upgrading, modernizing, and migrating
Compare upgrading in place, modernizing in place, and moving your UI to WinUI 3.
Modernize WPF, Windows Forms, or Win32
Keep your current UI framework and add Windows App SDK, Windows Runtime, XAML Islands, or packaging features incrementally.
Migrate from UWP
Plan a move from UWP to the Windows App SDK and WinUI 3, including app-model and API changes.
Migrate WPF or Windows Forms
Compare framework-specific pattern guidance and assess the work required to rebuild a desktop UI with WinUI 3.

Use the workflow for your current app framework and intended destination.

Modernize WPF, Windows Forms, or Win32

Add selected Windows platform and UI capabilities while retaining the app's existing desktop framework.
Migrate a UWP app

Assess support, map UWP features and APIs, and work through detailed guidance for moving to the Windows App SDK and WinUI 3.
Migrate a WPF app

Assess WPF controls, XAML, lifecycle, threading, tooling, and known gaps before rebuilding the UI with WinUI 3.
- WPF patterns and WinUI 3 equivalents
Migrate a Windows Forms app

Translate Windows Forms layout, controls, binding, and lifecycle patterns while planning a WinUI 3 UI migration.
- Windows Forms patterns and WinUI 3 equivalents

Review the destination frameworks, packaging and deployment choices, and API reference for your selected path.