At the 2026 Build conference, Microsoft announced that WinUI will be the go-to, long-term native UI development framework for Windows 11. The tech giant will phase out the 'WinUI 3' moniker, consolidating it under the singular WinUI brand, and has vowed not to introduce any new frameworks in the future. Microsoft is in the process of rewriting key components of the Windows 11 shell with native WinUI code, aiming to cut down on web technology dependencies. This move is expected to boost performance and slash memory consumption. Additionally, Microsoft rolled out a four-phase roadmap for open-sourcing WinUI. This includes ramping up code synchronization, permitting third-party local builds, inviting code contributions, and ultimately migrating fully to GitHub. These steps are designed to boost development transparency and draw in more developer involvement.