Is Windows 11 suitable for developers?

It's no wonder why Windows is the preferred platform for software developers. With support for most languages ​​and software development tools, creating and testing apps on Windows is much easier than on other operating systems.

Since the arrival of Windows 11, developers are curious to know how it will affect performance and flexibility, as well as whether they should upgrade to Win 11. Today, TipsMake will take a look at how Microsoft has improved (or made worse) the new operating system for developers.

Microsoft Store Improvements

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The redesigned Microsoft Store is among the exciting new features of Windows 11, now made more widely available to developers.

Wider application support

Previously, Microsoft had a UWP-only requirement, forcing developers to rewrite non-UWP apps in the UWP format. This policy often discourages developers, which eventually leads to the app not appearing on the Microsoft Store.

With the latest update, Microsoft supports other types of applications such as Win32, PWA, and .NET. As a result, developers can now focus on more important areas of their apps, such as improving the interface.

Third party store support

E-commerce app stores like the Amazon Appstore and Epic Games Store will also be available directly on the new Microsoft Store. So effectively any app developers that may have published on these stores (or others, which will be available in the future, according to Microsoft) won't need to upload them separately to the Microsoft Store.

Recommended for developers

Perhaps the best move Microsoft has made is to encourage software developers. Previously, Microsoft reduced its share of app revenue from 30% to 15% to make the Microsoft Store more competitive.

In addition, Microsoft will allow developers to use their own commercial platforms or third parties to keep 100% of the revenue generated from their platform applications.

In short, Microsoft is now allowing multiple publishing of app formats, third-party store skins, and giving developers the choice to keep 100% of the revenue. These three incentives make today's latest update more appealing to the developer community than ever before.

Android App Support

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Microsoft is creating new opportunities for app developers by bringing the Android world closer to Windows. While developers will have to wait a while, the promising Android support and Amazon Store integration will be of considerable benefit to all parties. Microsoft is still working on integrating the Amazon Appstore with the Microsoft Store.

As Android apps start to be supported, it will give developer apps better reach and higher downloads. Users who have downloaded the app on their phone can also download it on the desktop. Moreover, this feature will help mobile application developers to create applications that suit the needs of desktop users.

However, it is not possible to measure the effectiveness of this new feature until it is actually live and can be tried. Developers will have to wait a little longer.

Improved Developer Tools

In the user interface, Microsoft has renamed and redesigned Project Reunion and WinUI 3 as Windows App SDK. However, it does not replace the existing Windows SDK, and Microsoft has encouraged developers to adapt it "at their own pace".

Internally, Microsoft continues to support Win32 and .NET applications and brings new APIs and application development tools to the table. The Windows App SDK aims to introduce APIs that help bridge the gap in various application models. Microsoft plans to minimize the gap and support developers.

Although it launches with Microsoft's latest operating system, this update is still available for Windows 10 (until version 1809). So if you can't find a reason to update, other than the improved Windows App SDK, you'll eventually get an update for your version of Windows 10.

However, one important improvement is that Windows Terminal is now pre-installed in Windows. Downloading this application separately (as the developers did on Windows before) shouldn't be too much of a problem. However, the inclusion of Windows Terminal shows Microsoft's interest in creating the best operating system for programming.

Multitasking experience

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With Windows 11, Microsoft has dramatically improved the way you use the screen area for multitasking. First, Microsoft has highlighted the Snap Assist feature that was previously available on Windows 10 by improving it more on the visual side.

1. Snap layout: When you hover over the maximize button, a pop-up window will show 6 different layouts for your screen. However, the number of options may vary, depending on the screen size.

2. Snap groups: You can lock a layout you're working on and minimize it from the taskbar. This helps you group your applications and switch between different combinations of windows.

3. External monitor layout: When you plug the monitor back in, all apps will restore the position they were in before unplugging.

All these options can be disabled from Settings > Multitasking.

Second, Microsoft has renamed the Virtual Desktops feature to Desktops only. You can now change the background for each Desktop to keep unrelated apps running separately.

Developers multitask more than most professionals. If other features effectively assist, external monitor support saves time spent rearranging apps. Compared to Windows 10, multitasking is an incentive for developers to upgrade.

Enhance security

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Windows 11's use of TPM 2.0, UEFI Secure Boot, and VBS features makes it more secure for developers, compared to most existing operating systems. Unauthorized third-party intrusion to access data on the drive is now more difficult than ever. Enhanced security is a plus for developers.

Speed ​​improvement

Windows 11 is optimized to focus all resources on the application that is being actively used. This optimization has made Windows work faster, and the developer community will benefit the most. In this video, the Windows Mechanics team has analyzed all the technical details.

Will Windows 11 bring success to developers?

Microsoft has provided developers with many reasons to love its operating system, by redesigning the Windows interface, improving and introducing new software development tools, and encouraging developers to use it. develop its use of the store.

On the other hand, the features of Windows 11 make it the best operating system available for developers. However, enhanced hardware requirements can cause many developers to throw away their perfect "old" PCs, just because older hardware doesn't fully support Windows 11.

Microsoft's latest operating system is still in beta, and only time will tell how these improvements will play out.

Marvin Fry

Update 01 December 2021