Microsoft is making waves with its commitment to create 100% native apps for Windows 11. The tech giant has formed a new team to push this initiative, shifting gears from its previous reliance on web-based components.
Back in 2020, Panos Panay, then head of Windows, expressed a desire for users to love Windows, not just need it. Fast forward to 2026, and Microsoft appears serious about revitalizing its OS. Recent updates promise quicker context menus, faster File Explorer launches, and even a movable taskbar. Imagine resizing your taskbar and switching it to a compact layout, much like Windows 10!
Rudy Huyn, a Partner Architect at Microsoft, has taken the helm of the new team dedicated to improving Windows apps. He emphasized that it’s not about prior experience but about strong product thinking and focusing on user needs. Many developers are eager to join, but some are skeptical about whether these upcoming apps will prioritize a truly native experience or simply be rebranded web apps.
Huyn has clarified that these new apps will be 100% native, countering concerns that they might still rely on Progressive Web App (PWA) frameworks. However, definitions matter here. A truly native app would be completely made using the WinUI framework, with no components loaded through WebView.
Currently, Microsoft has been criticized for not building enough native apps. Its built-in video editor, Clipchamp, is actually a PWA. Even major offerings like Copilot are web-based. This trend has influenced third-party developers, as many have also shifted to using web frameworks.
WhatsApp, for example, transitioned from native to a Chromium-based web app. Users have noticed issues, like high RAM usage when idle, which raises concerns about performance for other web apps.
With this push for native development, Microsoft faces a significant challenge. It must convince companies like Meta to invest in native apps for Windows. User reactions have been mixed, showing a blend of hope for improvements and skepticism based on past experiences.
This journey towards a native app ecosystem may reshape the Windows experience. However, it remains uncertain whether Microsoft can deliver on its promises and if existing web-based apps will ever see a native makeover.
For more about Windows 11 updates and the implications of native versus web apps, check out this report from Microsoft here.
