Windows Developer Support

Whether you're just getting started or you're a professional developer troubleshooting a tricky issue, you're not alone. Connect with the Windows developer community, access expert resources, and find solutions to help you build great apps.

👁 Sticky note with the word HELP written on it.

Quick guide

Use this table to find the right resource for your scenario:

Getting started

New to Windows app development? These resources help you go from zero to a running app:

• Get started with the Windows App SDK - Set up your development environment and create your first app
• WinUI 3 Gallery - Explore WinUI 3 controls, design patterns, and code samples in an interactive app
• Windows App SDK samples - Browse working code examples covering common scenarios
• Create a WinUI project from the command line - Use dotnet new templates to scaffold a WinUI app without Visual Studio

Developer tools

These tools help you build, package, and ship Windows apps from any editor or framework:

• Windows App Development CLI (winapp CLI) (open-source, preview) - Package, sign, and manage Windows apps from the command line. Works with WinUI, WPF, Electron, Rust, Flutter, and more. Read the announcement blog post.
• WinApp VS Code extension (preview) - Run, debug, and package Windows apps directly in VS Code.
• WinUI agent plugin for GitHub Copilot and Claude Code (open-source, preview) - AI-assisted scaffolding, building, and iteration for WinUI apps.
• AI Dev Gallery (open-source) - Interactive samples for on-device AI on Windows, including Windows AI APIs.

Documentation and reference

Official documentation, API references, and release notes for experienced developers:

• Windows App SDK documentation - Comprehensive SDK docs covering APIs, deployment, and packaging
• Windows App SDK API reference - WinRT API reference for the Windows App SDK
• Windows App SDK stable channel release notes - What's new, fixed, and changed in each release
• WinUI 3 controls and patterns - Design guidance and XAML control reference
• Package identity overview - Understand packaged, packaged with external location, and unpackaged deployment options

Community support

Connect with other Windows developers to ask questions, share knowledge, and get help:

• Windows App Development Discord - Real-time chat with other Windows developers
• Microsoft Q&A - Ask technical questions and get answers from Microsoft experts and the community
• Windows App SDK repository - Connect with other developers and the Windows App SDK team
• WinUI 3 GitHub repository - Get help and share feedback about WinUI
• Stack Overflow - Browse thousands of answered questions tagged with Windows App SDK

Stay connected

Follow the latest news, updates, and tips from the Windows developer team.

Social media

Blogs and videos

• Windows Developer Blog - Official announcements and deep dives
• #ifdef Windows Blog - Hands-on tutorials and tool announcements
• Windows Developer YouTube - Video tutorials and conference sessions
• Microsoft Developer YouTube - Broader Microsoft developer content
• .NET YouTube - .NET tutorials and updates

Partner Center and Store support

If you're publishing apps to the Microsoft Store or need help with Partner Center accounts, submissions, or certification:

Store publishers

• Partner Center dashboard - Manage your apps and submissions
• Partner Center support (Copilot) - Get help with Partner Center accounts and Store submissions (requires Partner Center account)
• Report app certification issues - Contact the certification team about specific app failures

Enterprise support

For organizations with support contracts:

• Create a support incident - (requires Microsoft support contract)

Application compatibility

If your app isn't working correctly on Windows or you need help modernizing an existing application:

• App Assure - Free Microsoft engineering support to help your apps work on Windows 10, Windows 11, and Microsoft Edge