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Microsoft Photos App Boosts Performance with Windows App SDK Migration: New Features and Faster File Operations Unveiled

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June 3, 2024

**** Microsoft Photos has transitioned from UWP to Windows App SDK, enhancing features like Slideshow and Background Removal while tackling the challenge of maintaining concurrent development on both platforms. The move introduces significant performance improvements, especially in file handling.-

“`html Microsoft Photos: A New Era with Windows App SDK

Microsoft Photos Embraces Windows App SDK

In a significant update, the Microsoft Photos team has transitioned from the Universal Windows Platform (UWP) to the Windows App SDK. This move marks a pivotal shift in how the app will develop and operate going forward.

What’s New?

The latest version of Microsoft Photos, now fully available to Windows Insiders and gradually rolling out to Retail customers, introduces a fresh platform alongside exciting features like Slideshow, Background Removal, and Generative Erase.

Concurrent Development & Replatforming

Despite the platform shift, the team ensured continuous feature development. By employing strategies such as parallel pull request builds and conditional compilation, they managed to keep the app’s evolution steady.

“Maintaining the ability to ship new features on UWP, whilst also progressing the platform switch to Windows App SDK was paramount.”

Major Updates

One of the most noteworthy changes is the app’s ability to save edited files in their original folders without extra user prompts, thanks to the higher privilege level of Windows App SDK applications.

What’s Important to Know

Transitioning to Windows App SDK has brought about significant performance improvements, especially in file system operations. This change is crucial for users with extensive photo collections, reducing wait times from minutes to seconds.

Technical Challenges

The migration wasn’t without its hurdles. Adapting to different API levels and ensuring compatibility across platforms required innovative solutions like namespace aliases and conditional compilation.

“Using Windows App SDK, we can now save an edited file in the same folder as the original file without requesting the user to choose the destination folder.”

This migration signifies not just a technical upgrade but a commitment to enhancing user experience and app performance. As Microsoft Photos continues to evolve, users can expect more robust features and faster, more reliable performance.

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The Microsoft Photos app has completed its migration from UWP to the Windows App SDK, promising users enhanced functionality and performance.

Windows Insiders have already received the new Photos app, with a broader rollout to Retail customers beginning with version 2024.11050.3002.0.

To facilitate a smooth transition, the development team employed strategies like parallel pull request builds and conditional compilation to support both UWP and Windows App SDK concurrently.

Transitioning to the Windows App SDK allows the Photos app to run processes at a medium integrity level, offering greater privileges and eliminating the need for user prompts when saving files.

Significant performance improvements have been noted, particularly in file system operations, where tasks that took minutes on UWP now take seconds on the Windows App SDK.

From the Windows Blog