The evergreen WebView2 version will be automatically and regularly (every six weeks) updated by Microsoft. WebView2 is distributed through two versions: the evergreen and the fixed versions. The bidirectional communication then provides conversational capabilities between host and web sides, allowing for instance the web content to fully use the host’s native APIs. Communication in the other direction is achieved by registering listeners on the web side with the method. Just like when communicating between browser threads, developers may use the postMessage API (concretely the method) for communication between web content and the Windows host.

Partially building an application with WebView may require a varying level of communication and coordination between host and web content.

Developers may for instance leverage web components from Microsoft’s new FAST framework library. By using web code (HTML/JavaScript/CSS), developers may reuse a large existing application, component - and talent base. Thanks to WebView2, developers may either build an entire Windows application with web technologies or embed custom web-based app elements or PWAs in their application. Hybrid application developers benefit from the ubiquity and strength of the web platform, and the power and full capabilities of the native platform. Hybrid applications allow developers to enjoy the best of both worlds. Native applications, however, utilize the capabilities of the entire native platform. Web applications allow for a broad reach. The decision hinges on the trade-off between reach and power. Microsoft explains the rationale behind embedding WebView2 controls in native Windows applications:ĭevelopers often have to decide between building a web application or a native application. WebView2 provides two distribution models ( evergreen and fixed) with a different update policy (automatic or manual). After publishing last year a preview release of WebView2, a Chromium-based control to host web content within native Windows applications, Microsoft recently announced the general availability of WebView2 for production Win32 C/C++.

Webview microsoft edge