Port your app to the Windows Runtime

  • Artigo

[This article is for Windows 8.x and Windows Phone 8.x developers writing Windows Runtime apps. If you’re developing for Windows 10, see the latest documentation]

Do you have a Windows Phone Silverlight app, Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) app, a Microsoft Silverlight app, Android, iOS, or web app? Bring it to the Windows Runtime where you can create a single project that targets both Windows and Windows Phone. Your app will benefit from exciting new hardware, great monetization opportunities, a modern API set, common UI controls, and a range of input modalities including mouse/keyboard, touch, and speech.

Note  This section is for Windows 8.x developers writing Windows Runtime apps. If you’re developing for Windows 10, see Porting apps to Windows 10.

 

The Windows Runtime (WinRT) is the technology that lets you build an app that targets both Windows and Windows Phone. This porting guide explains the differences between your current app's technology and the Windows Runtime. Once the path between technologies is understood, you'll be able to dive into the rest of the Developer Center, which is a comprehensive resource for developing Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps. A good way to do that, when you're ready, is to start with How to develop a Store app.

Video: Porting an Android or iOS app to Windows

Why Windows?

Whether you are porting an app, or creating a new app, supporting Windows makes good business sense—and it's fun! With modern languages, tools, and frameworks, and fresh user interface controls and experiences, your ideas will never have looked better. Use your skill set and even source code—from other XAML platforms, for example—to update your apps to the latest technologies, and explore new markets.

User interface Make the most of new XAML and WinJS controls to create rich, engaging apps. Support for Universal Windows apps means you can build for desktop, tablet and phone from one Visual Studio solution.
Languages, tools and frameworks Moving (or returning) to a platform can be daunting. With new tools, controls, and programming language, where do you even start?
Port your game Move your apps to the premier gaming platform and enjoy state-of-the-art graphics with DirectX. Cross-platform tools make it easier than ever to write AAA quality games.
Latest APIs and technologies Super-charge your apps using the latest features in Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1.
The Windows Store, Windows Phone Store and app certification Publish your app in the Windows Store and Windows Phone Store to share it with the world and reap the benefits.
Videos: moving from iOS and Android Watch and learn with these videos, which show how to port an iOS or Android app to a Windows Runtime app.

 

No matter what technology you're coming from, we're got the information you need to make it smooth sailing to port your apps.

Resources for porting to WinRT (Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1)

Move from Windows Phone Silverlight to WinRT Port your Windows Phone Silverlight app to a project that targets Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1.
Move from WPF and Silverlight to WinRT Update your desktop app to a WinRT app.
Move from Android to WinRT Move your Android app to Windows devices.
Move from iOS to WinRT Find code recipes and guidance on re-imagining your iOS app for Windows devices.
Move from the web to WinRT Leverage your web skills to create great apps that work offline just as well as online.

 

Don't own a PC?

What if you don't own a PC? Easy! You can use emulation or Boot Camp to run Windows 8.1 and Microsoft Visual Studio on your Mac, and build your apps that way: even for Windows Phone 8.1 and Universal Windows apps.

Watch and learn

Are you wondering what Windows 8 is all about? These videos will introduces you to several Windows 8 features, including the new user interface, live tiles, charms, the Windows Store, and using multiple apps on-screen.

Here is the news

Get the latest news and trips from Windows developers the world over.

AppBuilder Blog Learn tips and tricks from the Windows team on how to build great apps.
Channel 9: One Dev Minute Kick back and learn with these app development video tutorials.
Windows forums Pool your knowledge with other developers in the Windows 8.1 forums.
Windows Phone forums Ask a question, find an answer, or help out a fellow developer.

 

Code Samples

Universal app samples

Sample app pack

Developing an end-to-end Windows Store app using C++ and XAML: Hilo

Windows samples