Just the other day, we shared that Microsoft has successfully implemented a fix to improve the performance of Windows 11 apps that have been experiencing speed issues. This improvement is currently being tested and should be available soon.
In an additional positive development, Microsoft is taking a broader approach to enhance performance, specifically targeting the Microsoft Store.
As detailed in Microsoft’s developer blog, the company is providing app developers with a new route to migrate their UWP (Universal Windows Platform) apps to .NET 9 and Native AOT (Ahead-of-Time compilation).
This is a welcome change, as it allows app developers to modernize their UWP apps in two incremental phases rather than requiring one extensive overhaul. This pathway makes it possible for apps to operate on .NET 9 and Native AOT, simplifying the eventual transition to WinUI 3.
The blog highlights that apps running on .NET 9 and Native AOT offer superior performance compared to UWP apps on .NET Native, and improvements to Native AOT are ongoing. Therefore, this migration is a recommended step for most UWP app developers.
Interestingly, the blog post notes that the Microsoft Store is undergoing the same migration. The Store is currently transitioning to .NET 9, and we can expect to see a version operating on Native AOT “in the near future.”
As usual, this update will likely reach Windows Insiders first before it’s made available to the broader user base.