Web applications for Windows are reaching a new level and becoming more and more similar to desktop versions

By: Dmitro Koval | 30.09.2022, 18:49
Web applications for Windows are reaching a new level and becoming more and more similar to desktop versions

Microsoft has announced a new Windows Controls Overlay feature that will allow Windows web application developers to better customize their software.

Here's What We Know

The new feature will allow developers to customize the title bar of their programs. Previously, this feature was not available, as it could lead to all sorts of weirdness. Web programs now have access to the "entire surface" of the program window, except for the buttons in the upper right corner.

"Recently, thanks to new web capabilities in the Chromium browser engine and UX changes in Microsoft Edge and Windows, installed web programs really look and feel like full desktop solutions" - Patrick Brosset, Senior Program Manager. "While native programs could display useful content anywhere in the program window, including the title bar (for example, the tool menu could be placed there, deputy author), web application developers were forced to work only with the internal program window. We're excited to announce a new PWA feature that fills this gap and helps to further erase the line between apps and the website.


Source: The Verge