Microsoft Windows 10

aid: microsoft-windows-10
name: Microsoft Windows 10
description: >-
  Collection of APIs and developer resources for building applications on the Windows 10 platform, including Universal
  Windows Platform (UWP), Win32, and Windows Runtime APIs for desktop, mobile, and IoT applications.
type: Index
image: https://kinlane-images.s3.amazonaws.com/shared/apis-json/apis-json-logo.jpg
created: '2024-01-01'
modified: '2026-05-19'
specificationVersion: '0.19'
url: https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/
tags:
  - Desktop
  - Operating System
  - UWP
  - Win32
  - Windows
apis:
  - name: Windows Runtime (WinRT) API
    description: >-
      Modern API surface for building Universal Windows Platform (UWP) applications that run across all Windows 10
      device families. WinRT provides a type system, APIs, and runtime environment for building apps using C#, C++,
      Visual Basic, and JavaScript.
    image: https://www.microsoft.com/favicon.ico
    humanURL: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uwp/
    baseURL: https://api.windows.com
    tags:
      - Universal Apps
      - UWP
      - Windows Runtime
      - WinRT
    properties:
      - type: Documentation
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/uwp/api/
      - type: GettingStarted
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uwp/get-started/
      - type: Samples
        url: https://github.com/Microsoft/Windows-universal-samples
      - type: Reference
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/uwp/api/
      - type: SDKs
        url: https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/downloads/windows-10-sdk/
      - type: OpenAPI
        url: openapi/microsoft-windows-10-winrt-openapi.yml
  - name: Win32 API
    description: >-
      Core Windows API for building traditional desktop applications using C and C++. Win32 provides direct access to
      system-level functionality including window management, graphics, networking, and hardware.
    image: https://www.microsoft.com/favicon.ico
    humanURL: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/
    baseURL: https://api.windows.com
    tags:
      - Desktop
      - Native
      - System Programming
      - Win32
    properties:
      - type: Documentation
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/apiindex/windows-api-list
      - type: Reference
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/api/
      - type: Samples
        url: https://github.com/microsoft/Windows-classic-samples
      - type: GettingStarted
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/desktop-programming
      - type: OpenAPI
        url: openapi/microsoft-windows-10-win32-openapi.yml
  - name: Windows Notifications API
    description: >-
      API for sending and managing toast notifications, tile notifications, and badge updates in Windows 10
      applications. Supports adaptive and interactive notifications with custom layouts, actions, and scheduling.
    image: https://www.microsoft.com/favicon.ico
    humanURL: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uwp/design/shell/tiles-and-notifications/
    baseURL: https://api.windows.com
    tags:
      - Notifications
      - Tiles
      - Toast
      - User Interface
    properties:
      - type: Documentation
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uwp/design/shell/tiles-and-notifications/adaptive-interactive-toasts
      - type: Samples
        url: https://github.com/WindowsNotifications/quickstart-sending-local-toast-win10
      - type: Reference
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/uwp/api/windows.ui.notifications
      - type: OpenAPI
        url: openapi/microsoft-windows-10-notifications-openapi.yml
  - name: Windows ML API
    description: >-
      API for integrating trained machine learning models into Windows applications using the ONNX format. Windows ML
      evaluates models locally on the device using hardware acceleration with DirectX 12.
    image: https://www.microsoft.com/favicon.ico
    humanURL: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ai/windows-ml/
    baseURL: https://api.windows.com
    tags:
      - Artificial Intelligence
      - Inference
      - Machine Learning
      - ONNX
    properties:
      - type: Documentation
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ai/windows-ml/api-reference
      - type: Tutorials
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ai/windows-ml/tutorials
      - type: Samples
        url: https://github.com/Microsoft/Windows-Machine-Learning
      - type: GettingStarted
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ai/windows-ml/get-started
      - type: OpenAPI
        url: openapi/microsoft-windows-10-ml-openapi.yml
  - name: Windows Storage API
    description: >-
      API for file system access, storage management, and data operations in Windows applications. Provides classes for
      reading, writing, and managing files and folders with appropriate access permissions.
    image: https://www.microsoft.com/favicon.ico
    humanURL: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uwp/files/
    baseURL: https://api.windows.com
    tags:
      - Data Management
      - File System
      - Files
      - Storage
    properties:
      - type: Documentation
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/uwp/api/windows.storage
      - type: Best Practices
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uwp/files/best-practices-for-writing-to-files
      - type: GettingStarted
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uwp/files/
      - type: OpenAPI
        url: openapi/microsoft-windows-10-storage-openapi.yml
  - name: Windows Cortana API
    description: >-
      API for integrating voice commands and Cortana digital assistant capabilities into Windows applications. Enables
      voice-activated interactions and custom voice command definitions.
    image: https://www.microsoft.com/favicon.ico
    humanURL: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cortana/
    baseURL: https://api.windows.com
    tags:
      - Cortana
      - Digital Assistant
      - Voice
      - Voice Commands
    properties:
      - type: Documentation
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cortana/voice-commands/vcd
      - type: Guidelines
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cortana/voice-commands/voicecommand-design-guidelines
      - type: OpenAPI
        url: openapi/microsoft-windows-10-cortana-openapi.yml
  - name: Windows Ink API
    description: >-
      API for pen and stylus input in Windows applications, providing inking surfaces, stroke recognition, and
      handwriting analysis. Supports pressure sensitivity, tilt, and barrel button interactions.
    image: https://www.microsoft.com/favicon.ico
    humanURL: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uwp/design/input/pen-and-stylus-interactions
    baseURL: https://api.windows.com
    tags:
      - Ink
      - Input
      - Pen
      - Stylus
    properties:
      - type: Documentation
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/uwp/api/windows.ui.input.inking
      - type: Samples
        url: https://github.com/Microsoft/Windows-universal-samples/tree/master/Samples/SimpleInk
      - type: GettingStarted
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uwp/design/input/pen-and-stylus-interactions
      - type: OpenAPI
        url: openapi/microsoft-windows-10-ink-openapi.yml
  - name: Windows Composition API
    description: >-
      The Windows.UI.Composition API provides access to the visual layer between the XAML framework and the DirectX
      graphics layer. It enables high-performance, retained-mode graphics, effects, and animations as the foundation for
      UI across Windows devices.
    image: https://www.microsoft.com/favicon.ico
    humanURL: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uwp/composition/visual-layer
    baseURL: https://api.windows.com
    tags:
      - Animations
      - Composition
      - Graphics
      - Visual Layer
    properties:
      - type: Documentation
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uwp/composition/visual-layer
      - type: Reference
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/uwp/api/windows.ui.composition
      - type: Samples
        url: https://github.com/microsoft/Windows.UI.Composition-Win32-Samples
      - type: GettingStarted
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uwp/composition/using-the-visual-layer-with-xaml
      - type: OpenAPI
        url: openapi/microsoft-windows-10-composition-openapi.yml
  - name: DirectX Graphics API
    description: >-
      Low-level graphics API for building high-performance 2D and 3D rendering in Windows applications. Includes
      Direct3D for 3D graphics, Direct2D for 2D graphics, and DirectWrite for text rendering.
    image: https://www.microsoft.com/favicon.ico
    humanURL: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/directx
    baseURL: https://api.windows.com
    tags:
      - DirectX
      - Gaming
      - Graphics
      - Rendering
    properties:
      - type: Documentation
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/directx
      - type: GettingStarted
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/getting-started-with-directx-graphics
      - type: Samples
        url: https://github.com/microsoft/DirectX-Graphics-Samples
      - type: Reference
        url: https://microsoft.github.io/DirectX-Specs/
      - type: OpenAPI
        url: openapi/microsoft-windows-10-directx-openapi.yml
  - name: Windows Media Capture API
    description: >-
      API for capturing photos, audio, and video from camera and microphone devices in Windows applications. Provides
      classes for previewing, recording, and processing media streams with configurable encoding settings.
    image: https://www.microsoft.com/favicon.ico
    humanURL: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/develop/audio-video-camera
    baseURL: https://api.windows.com
    tags:
      - Audio
      - Camera
      - Media
      - Video Capture
    properties:
      - type: Documentation
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/develop/audio-video-camera
      - type: Reference
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/uwp/api/windows.media.capture
      - type: GettingStarted
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/medfound/audio-video-capture-in-media-foundation
      - type: OpenAPI
        url: openapi/microsoft-windows-10-media-capture-openapi.yml
  - name: Windows Networking API
    description: >-
      API for network communication in Windows applications, providing support for sockets, WebSockets, HTTP clients,
      and background transfers. Enables TCP/UDP communication and real-time data streaming.
    image: https://www.microsoft.com/favicon.ico
    humanURL: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uwp/networking/
    baseURL: https://api.windows.com
    tags:
      - HTTP
      - Networking
      - Sockets
      - WebSockets
    properties:
      - type: Documentation
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uwp/networking/which-networking-technology
      - type: Reference
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/uwp/api/windows.networking.sockets
      - type: Samples
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/samples/microsoft/windows-universal-samples/websocket/
      - type: OpenAPI
        url: openapi/microsoft-windows-10-networking-openapi.yml
  - name: Windows Bluetooth API
    description: >-
      API for Bluetooth communication in Windows applications, supporting Bluetooth Classic (RFCOMM) and Bluetooth Low
      Energy (GATT) protocols for connecting to and exchanging data with Bluetooth devices.
    image: https://www.microsoft.com/favicon.ico
    humanURL: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uwp/devices-sensors/bluetooth
    baseURL: https://api.windows.com
    tags:
      - Bluetooth
      - Devices
      - IoT
      - Wireless
    properties:
      - type: Documentation
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uwp/devices-sensors/bluetooth-dev-faq
      - type: Reference
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/api/_bluetooth/
      - type: GettingStarted
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/bluetooth/bluetooth-programming-with-windows-sockets
      - type: OpenAPI
        url: openapi/microsoft-windows-10-bluetooth-openapi.yml
  - name: Windows Geolocation API
    description: >-
      API for obtaining geographic location data in Windows applications. Provides access to latitude, longitude,
      altitude, heading, and speed from GNSS, Wi-Fi, cellular networks, and IP address sources.
    image: https://www.microsoft.com/favicon.ico
    humanURL: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uwp/maps-and-location/
    baseURL: https://api.windows.com
    tags:
      - Geolocation
      - GPS
      - Location
      - Maps
    properties:
      - type: Documentation
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/uwp/api/windows.devices.geolocation
      - type: Reference
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/locationapi/windows-location-api-portal
      - type: Samples
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/samples/microsoft/windows-universal-samples/geolocation/
      - type: OpenAPI
        url: openapi/microsoft-windows-10-geolocation-openapi.yml
  - name: Windows Sensors API
    description: >-
      API for accessing device sensor data including accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, light sensor, and proximity
      sensor. Provides a unified interface for reading sensor values and responding to sensor events.
    image: https://www.microsoft.com/favicon.ico
    humanURL: >-
      https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/sensorsapi/introduction-to-the-sensor-and-location-platform-in-windows
    baseURL: https://api.windows.com
    tags:
      - Devices
      - Hardware
      - IoT
      - Sensors
    properties:
      - type: Documentation
        url: >-
          https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/sensorsapi/introduction-to-the-sensor-and-location-platform-in-windows
      - type: Reference
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/uwp/api/windows.devices.sensors
      - type: OpenAPI
        url: openapi/microsoft-windows-10-sensors-openapi.yml
  - name: Windows Hello Authentication API
    description: >-
      Biometric and PIN-based authentication API that replaces passwords with strong two-factor authentication. Supports
      facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, and PIN-based user verification for secure sign-in.
    image: https://www.microsoft.com/favicon.ico
    humanURL: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/develop/security/windows-hello
    baseURL: https://api.windows.com
    tags:
      - Authentication
      - Biometrics
      - Identity
      - Security
    properties:
      - type: Documentation
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/develop/security/windows-hello
      - type: GettingStarted
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/develop/security/windows-hello-auth-service
      - type: Reference
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/identity-protection/hello-for-business/webauthn-apis
      - type: OpenAPI
        url: openapi/microsoft-windows-10-hello-openapi.yml
  - name: WinUI API
    description: >-
      Modern native UI framework for building Windows desktop applications with the Fluent Design System. WinUI provides
      XAML-based controls, high-performance rendering, and supports both C# and C++ development.
    image: https://www.microsoft.com/favicon.ico
    humanURL: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/winui/winui2/
    baseURL: https://api.windows.com
    tags:
      - Controls
      - Fluent Design
      - User Interface
      - XAML
    properties:
      - type: Documentation
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/winui/winui2/
      - type: Reference
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/winui/api/microsoft.ui.xaml.controls
      - type: GettingStarted
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/winui/winui2/getting-started
      - type: Samples
        url: https://github.com/microsoft/microsoft-ui-xaml
      - type: OpenAPI
        url: openapi/microsoft-windows-10-winui-openapi.yml
  - name: Windows Background Tasks API
    description: >-
      API for running code in the background when an application is suspended or not running. Supports time-triggered,
      system-triggered, and maintenance-triggered background tasks for continuous processing.
    image: https://www.microsoft.com/favicon.ico
    humanURL: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/windows-app-sdk/applifecycle/background-tasks
    baseURL: https://api.windows.com
    tags:
      - App Lifecycle
      - Background Tasks
      - Scheduling
    properties:
      - type: Documentation
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/windows-app-sdk/applifecycle/background-tasks
      - type: Samples
        url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/samples/microsoft/windows-universal-samples/backgroundtask/
      - type: OpenAPI
        url: openapi/microsoft-windows-10-background-tasks-openapi.yml
common:
  - type: PostmanWorkspace
    url: https://www.postman.com/kinlaneapi/microsoft-windows-10/overview
  - type: ArazzoWorkflows
    url: arazzo/
    workflows:
      - url: arazzo/microsoft-windows-10-background-task-register-workflow.yml
        name: Microsoft Windows 10 Register Background Task with Access
        summary: >-
          Confirm background access, request it when unspecified, register a time-triggered background task, and read
          back its details.
      - url: arazzo/microsoft-windows-10-bluetooth-le-read-characteristic-workflow.yml
        name: Microsoft Windows 10 Bluetooth LE Read GATT Characteristic
        summary: >-
          Discover a paired BLE device, drill into its GATT services and characteristics, and read a characteristic
          value.
      - url: arazzo/microsoft-windows-10-geolocation-access-and-position-workflow.yml
        name: Microsoft Windows 10 Geolocation Access and Current Position
        summary: >-
          Check location permission, request it when unspecified, and then read the device's current geographic
          position.
      - url: arazzo/microsoft-windows-10-geolocation-create-geofence-workflow.yml
        name: Microsoft Windows 10 Create and Confirm Geofence
        summary: Ensure location access, create a circular geofence, and confirm it appears among the active geofences.
      - url: arazzo/microsoft-windows-10-media-capture-photo-workflow.yml
        name: Microsoft Windows 10 Media Capture Photo
        summary: Pick a camera, initialize a capture session, start the preview, and capture a photo to a file.
      - url: arazzo/microsoft-windows-10-ml-load-and-evaluate-workflow.yml
        name: Microsoft Windows 10 Windows ML Load and Evaluate Model
        summary: >-
          Load an ONNX model, create a hardware-accelerated evaluation session, and run an inference against bound
          inputs.
      - url: arazzo/microsoft-windows-10-notifications-schedule-toast-workflow.yml
        name: Microsoft Windows 10 Schedule Grouped Toast Notification
        summary: Create a toast notification collection, schedule a future toast, and confirm it appears in the pending list.
      - url: arazzo/microsoft-windows-10-storage-read-and-update-file-workflow.yml
        name: Microsoft Windows 10 Storage Read and Update File
        summary: List files in a known folder, inspect the first file, read its text content, and write updated content back.
      - url: arazzo/microsoft-windows-10-windows-hello-enroll-credential-workflow.yml
        name: Microsoft Windows 10 Windows Hello Enroll Key Credential
        summary: >-
          Confirm Windows Hello is available, create a passwordless key credential, and retrieve its TPM attestation for
          server registration.
      - url: arazzo/microsoft-windows-10-windows-hello-stepup-sign-workflow.yml
        name: Microsoft Windows 10 Windows Hello Step-Up Sign Challenge
        summary: >-
          Verify the user with biometrics or PIN, open their key credential, and sign a server challenge for step-up
          authentication.
  - type: Portal
    url: https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/
  - type: Documentation
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/
  - type: GettingStarted
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/get-started/
  - type: Authentication
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/develop/security/windows-hello
  - type: Blog
    url: https://blogs.windows.com/windowsdeveloper/
  - type: StatusPage
    url: https://status.cloud.microsoft/
  - type: Support
    url: https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/support
  - type: TermsOfService
    url: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/legal/terms-of-use
  - type: PrivacyPolicy
    url: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/privacy/privacystatement
  - type: GitHubOrganization
    url: https://github.com/microsoft
  - type: Community
    url: https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/community/
  - type: Website
    url: https://www.microsoft.com
  - type: Login
    url: https://login.microsoftonline.com/
  - type: SignUp
    url: https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/
  - type: SDKs
    url: https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/downloads/windows-10-sdk/
  - type: ChangeLog
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/whats-new/whats-new-for-developers
  - type: Reference
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/api-reference/
  - type: JSONLD
    url: json-ld/microsoft-windows-10-context.jsonld
  - type: JSONSchema
    url: json-schema/microsoft-windows-10-notification-schema.json
  - type: JSONSchema
    url: json-schema/microsoft-windows-10-storage-item-schema.json
  - type: JSONSchema
    url: json-schema/microsoft-windows-10-geolocation-schema.json
  - type: JSONSchema
    url: json-schema/microsoft-windows-10-sensor-reading-schema.json
  - type: JSONSchema
    url: json-schema/microsoft-windows-10-ml-model-schema.json
  - type: JSONSchema
    url: json-schema/microsoft-windows-10-bluetooth-device-schema.json
maintainers:
  - FN: Kin Lane
    email: kin@apievangelist.com