For decades, every time we needed to install an application on our Windows computer, it was normal to go to the Internet and look for a free application that offered us to do what we were looking for. However, over time we have seen how the software giant, Microsoft, has tried to impose the use of universal Windows applications, capable of working perfectly on any type of device running Windows 10, that is, computers. , tablets, wearables or consoles. Next, we are going to show what Win32 and UWP applications are and what advantages or characteristics each of them offers us.
With the arrival of Windows 10 at the end of July 2015, those of Redmond opted for their universal platform for Windows 10 or what we know as UWP applications with the intention of leaving aside the applications of a lifetime or Win32. Now, what exactly are some applications and others and what characteristics or advantages each of them offers us.
UWP apps
UWP is the acronym for Universal Windows Platform , the new technology that the software giant proposed for the development of applications for devices with the latest version of Microsoft’s operating system, although the platform was actually presented in Windows 8 for the first time as WinRT or Windows Runtime.
Now, with the arrival of the latest version of Microsoft’s operating system, the Universal Windows Platform is introduced, which continues the development of the runtime model of the system and incorporates it into the unified kernel of Windows 10. As part of the kernel , UWP now provides a single and common platform of applications capable of working correctly on all devices running Windows 10 in any of its editions.
Main features of UWP applications
Security
Applications for UWP show the resources and device data to access for proper operation such as access to microphone, location, webcam, USB devices, files, etc. Now, the user will have to confirm and authorize these accesses or permissions before the application itself obtains the functionality.
Use of a common API on all devices
UWP provides a common platform of applications on all devices running Windows 10. This means that the main APIs of the Universal Windows Platform are the same on any device with the Microsoft operating system, regardless of whether it is a desktop computer. , a tablet, a game console (Xbox), a virtual reality headset, a wearable, etc.
They adapt to any device
A UWP application can use device-specific functionalities and adapt the user interface to any screen size and resolution. For this, the developers have the extension SDKs, which allow calling the specialized APIs for the different types of devices. In other words, if a developer wants to create an application for UWP, they can add the IoT Extension SDK to their project to control the specific features or functions of IoT devices.
Available from Microsoft Store
Applications for UWP are available in one unified store, the Microsoft Store. Therefore, it is the only site we can go to to download these types of applications, regardless of whether they are available for PC, Xbox, Surface, IoT devices, etc.
Each developer can send their applications to the Store and indicate if they are available for some devices or others. In addition, they integrate with Application Insights to be analyzed and know their telemetry.
Easy and safe installation and removal
All UWP applications are distributed using a packaging system that offers certain security for users and great simplicity in the installation and uninstallation processes. In addition, the packaging system itself protects both the system and the equipment or device itself and the user.
Applications for UWP can be installed quickly and easily and uninstalled without leaving a trace, only the files that we have created with them and all in a very automatic way and without having to erase any trace of the application manually.
Full integration in Windows 10 and its features
The integration in the system of applications for UWP is total since they allow push notifications that can offer us information in real time, the activity center organizes the notifications from the application, they allow their execution in the background, they can use the voice and Bluetooth devices, it is even possible to integrate Cortana to add voice command functionality as well as recovery via the Windows 10 timeline.
Win32 Applications
We could say that Win32 applications are those that we have been using practically all our lives, those that we know as desktop applications. It is a type of application that offers support for x86 architectures and Intel and AMD processors. These types of applications are installed through an executable file that can have different formats such as .exe, which is perhaps the most common.
At the time of their installation, the applications are included in the list of applications that are shown in the Control Panel> Features and programs, this feature of the system being the one that allows them to be uninstalled.
Today there are millions of Win32 applications, both free and paid, for commercial or private use and that offer all kinds of functionalities to meet the needs of any user.
Main features of Win32 applications
Permissions
Although in most cases desktop applications run with limited permissions, the user can later grant administrative permissions. So much so, that even certain applications can only be run correctly if we do it with the maximum permissions.
Designed for the desktop
As its name suggests, Win32 applications work perfectly on the PC and are capable of perfectly interacting with the most common peripherals connected to the computer depending on their capabilities, such as keyboard, mouse, printers, etc. However, they are not usually intended for use on computers with touch screens.
Different sources for your installation
We can find Win32 applications on the developers’ own pages, software websites, application stores, etc. In addition, we can install these types of applications from local, an external storage unit or even from the cloud. In addition, these types of applications can be distributed by any means and with different types of license.
We can run several instances of the same application
Another feature to highlight of this type of application is that it allows us to run several instances of the same tool simultaneously on our desktop. That is, we can have the same application open on the same computer several times.
However, it is important to also say that one of the workhorses of Win32 applications is their execution and operation on ARM processors, since they are designed to work on Intel and AMD processors.
Win32 apps vs UWP apps
At this point, we can already assess what are the main differences between one type of application and another, advantages that Win32 offer us with respect to those developed for UWP and what are some of the disadvantages of each of them.
We can start by saying that to find or get an application that allows us to do something in particular, we can only go to the Microsoft Store in the case of UWPs if we have Windows 8 or Windows 10, while Win32 applications are usually compatible with most versions of the Microsoft system and we can download them from the developer’s website and many other sites that we can find on the Internet. Therefore, with Win32 we do not depend on the Microsoft environment or the control that the company itself carries out over all the applications available in its Store.
Now, this also implies that UWP applications have been analyzed to check what type of permissions it requests and must be accepted for their correct operation, which is more difficult to control and know in Win32 applications.
This also influences the installation and uninstallation process . While UWP apps are basically one-click install and uninstall from Microsoft’s own Store, Win32 apps may require a more complex installation process and we will have to uninstall them from the system control panel.
When deleting an application from the Windows store, the process itself will take care of deleting any trace of it, something that we will have to do ourselves with the desktop applications, since they can leave a trace on the computer with the simple done uninstalling them.
The updates of desktop applications depend on the developer itself, while UWP applications are updated at the pace that mark from Redmond. Microsoft has its store applications monitored and controlled in all respects, something that it does not have on third-party developer applications external to its store and environment.
If what we are looking for in a tool that we can use or continue to use on different devices such as a computer, tablet, wearable, etc., then the solution is to use one of the applications for UWP, since they can work on any device, even with touch screens, game consoles …, since desktop applications are simply for desktop.
Now, another detail to take into account is that a Win32 application can allow us to open two instances at the same time on the same computer even though they are not integrated in the same way in the system as the applications for the universal platform do. Windows. And is that the latter are capable of displaying notifications on the desktop, integrated into the activity center, even integrating with Cortana to use voice commands, for example.
