If you want to build a Windows desktop app for free, you first have to decide which platform to use. There are four principal platforms for building Windows desktop apps. These platforms include Universal Windows Platform (UWP), C++/Win32, WPF, and Windows Forms. All of these platforms offer an application model that characterizes the development of the application. Moreover, they provide a complete system for the user interface (UI) and UI controls that allow you to build Windows desktop applications.
Besides, they offer you access to a complete set of controlled or native APIs. They help you to utilize several Windows features. However, if you’re new and don’t know much about these things or confused about which platform to choose. You can contact various companies offering windows hosting services and seek help from them as they will guide you better.
1. UWP:
It is an outstanding platform for Windows desktop apps and games. It is an extremely adaptable platform that utilizes XAML mark-up. It will separate the UI from code. It is highly appropriate for building Windows desktop apps that involve an elegant UI, designs customization, and heavy graphic setups.
2. WPF:
It is a built-up platform for controlled Windows apps having access to .NET Core or the complete .NET Framework. WPF also utilizes XAML mark-up just like UWP and separate UI from code. Moreover, the development skills of WPF are also comparable with UWP skills. Consequently, the migration of apps to and from these platforms is quite simpler than from others.
3. Windows Forms:
It is the main platform for Windows desktop apps having a lightweight UI model. This platform is incredible at empowering web developers to rapidly begin developing apps. Moreover, it is a great platform for developers who are new to it. It is a quick app building platform that is based on forms. Besides, it has a great variety of built-in visual and non-visual controls.
4. C++/Win32:
It is another platform you can use to build Windows desktop apps for free. It makes it easier to accomplish the maximum efficiency and performance by taking greater control of the target platform with unmanaged code.
Now here are a few app development software you can use to build Windows desktop app for free:
1. Swing2App:
Swing2App is a great software for building a Windows app for free. It permits you to build unique inventive applications and answers all the parts of push and membership administration. It is Korea's biggest application building software that empowers you to develop applications, test them, and fix bugs. Moreover, it enables you to download APK rapidly and effectively without prior programming or coding abilities.
2. Buildfire.js:
It is a completely free and entirely modifiable app builder to build desktop apps for free. Buildfire assists in intuitive UI and this software is supporting over 10,000 applications at present.
3. Flutter:
Flutter is commonly used for the development of web and Windows desktop apps for free using a single codebase. It is a freely and easily accessible and open source platform for building apps. It is written in C, C++, Skia Graphics Engine, and Dart. Moreover, it works for Windows, Linux, as well as MacOS.