Microsoft plans native Windows apps to improve performance

What 100% native apps mean

Microsoft is forming a team to build fully native Windows apps and experiences, meaning software designed specifically for Windows instead of relying heavily on web wrappers. That shift matters because native apps can better match the platform’s design and performance goals.

Microsoft has also leaned on web-based approaches in some apps, including Clipchamp, which is part of why this change is getting attention. The company is now signaling a stronger push toward apps that feel more at home on Windows.

Why web apps eat your memory

Have you noticed your computer slowing down for no reason? That might be web-based apps gobbling up your RAM.

Web-based desktop apps can use more memory because WebView2 relies on Edge’s multi-process browser architecture to render web content inside an app. That added overhead can make lightweight tasks feel heavier than they should on some PCs.

Microsoft’s renewed focus on native Windows apps is meant to reduce reliance on web wrappers, which can offer a leaner experience. The exact memory savings will vary by app, device, and workload.

Microsoft’s new team for native apps

A top Microsoft engineer named Rudy Huyn is building a brand new team. Their only job is to create 100% Native” Windows apps. Huyn posted on X that he wants people who care about making great user experiences.

Microsoft’s new 100% Native Windows apps won’t rely on web wrappers. The team doesn’t even require prior Windows experience. They want smart builders who put customers first. That’s a refreshing change of pace.

The WhatsApp wake-up call

WhatsApp’s Windows app has moved away from its earlier native design toward a web-wrapper approach based on Edge WebView2. That shift has drawn criticism from some Windows users who preferred the older app’s more native feel.

The change has become part of a broader debate over performance, consistency, and resource use in Windows apps. Microsoft’s new native-app push arrives in that same environment, even though the company has not publicly tied the effort to WhatsApp specifically.

Little-known fact: The new WebView2 version of WhatsApp for Windows uses 30% more RAM than the native app. Under heavy use, memory consumption can spike to 3GB, while the old native app stayed under 300MB even at its busiest.

Clipchamp and Copilot are the problem

Clipchamp is a well-documented example of Microsoft’s web-first approach, and Microsoft has previously described it as using PWA foundations. Copilot is a more complicated case because Microsoft rolled out a native XAML Copilot app for Windows in 2025 and has continued updating it since then.

That means it is too simplistic to describe every current Copilot experience on Windows as just a hidden browser. A better takeaway is that Microsoft has used a mix of native and web technologies across its apps, which is part of why the new native-app initiative matters.

What task manager reveals

Task Manager can sometimes reveal when an app relies on embedded web technology, especially if you see WebView2-related processes tied to that app. Microsoft’s own documentation explains that WebView2 uses Edge’s multi-process browser architecture, which is why these helper processes appear.

Microsoft’s new approach means fewer mystery entries in Task Manager. Your computer will feel cleaner and more responsive overall.

Great news for older PCs

Not everyone buys a brand-new laptop every two years. Millions of Americans use computers that are three, five, or even seven years old. Those machines struggle with web-based apps because they have limited memory.

Native apps run much lighter. They don’t need a full browser engine. So if you have an older PC, this shift could breathe new life into it. You might not need to upgrade as soon as you thought.

Microsoft is finally listening

Microsoft has recently highlighted quality-of-life work in Windows 11, including File Explorer improvements and more taskbar customization. The company has also publicly committed to broader Windows quality work, which fits the timing of its new native-app initiative.

In fact, the company said in 2025 that it removed the bypassnro setup script to ensure users complete setup with internet connectivity and a Microsoft account. It feels like Microsoft is finally hearing what real people want.

Little-known fact: In 2020, former Windows boss Panos Panay said he wanted users to love Windows, not just need it.

Catching up to Apple’s Mac

Let’s be honest. Mac apps have felt smoother for a while now. Apple never jumped on the everything is a web app bandwagon. Their apps are mostly native, which is why they feel snappy and reliable.

Microsoft seems ready to catch up. By building 100% native Windows apps, they can offer that same polished feel. Windows users deserve apps that open instantly and don’t make their fans spin up for no reason.

What developers need to know

Rudy Huyn’s new Windows app team is actively hiring, and his public call said prior Windows-platform experience is not required. He said the team is looking for strong product thinking and a deep focus on the customer.

That opens the door for experienced app builders from other ecosystems who are interested in working on Windows. Microsoft has not publicly outlined a formal training plan, but the hiring message clearly shows the search goes beyond longtime Windows specialists.

Which apps will get rebuilt first?

Microsoft has not announced a public roadmap showing which apps will be rebuilt first under the new native-app effort. That means it is too early to say with confidence which individual apps are first in line.

Clipchamp is often mentioned in reporting because Microsoft has previously highlighted it as PWA-based, and users frequently point to apps like Copilot when discussing performance and consistency. Until Microsoft publishes a confirmed list, any ranking of likely candidates remains informed speculation rather than established fact.

What users are saying online

When Rudy Huyn described the new initiative publicly, many Windows enthusiasts responded positively. In one reply on X, when asked whether the effort would avoid PWAs, Huyn answered, “100% native.”

That response helped clarify the goal of the team and became one of the most widely quoted parts of the announcement. This announcement gave Windows fans real hope for the first time in years.

Want to see what else Microsoft is rolling out next? Take a look at its new $99 AI suite for smarter workflows.

How to spot a native app yourself

You can often spot web-heavy Windows apps by looking for WebView2 or Edge runtime processes associated with them in Task Manager. Those processes are a useful clue that the app is embedding web content rather than relying entirely on native Windows UI frameworks.

Still, process names alone do not provide a perfect yes-or-no answer about whether an app is fully native. A more accurate test is to treat WebView2 as a strong sign of embedded web technology, not an absolute rule for every app.

Curious what else Microsoft has in the works? Take a look at its plans for bringing back Xbox backward compatibility.

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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