What is WebView2 in Microsoft Edge

Have you ever encountered a website or app that needed to access web content but wasn’t able to do so without complications? WebView2 is a solution that can change how developers interact with web-based content within their desktop applications. But what exactly is WebView2, and why does it matter?

This article will break down what WebView2 is, how it benefits developers, and why it’s become an essential tool for creating modern, dynamic desktop apps. We’ll also discuss how this control fits into the broader picture of application development, comparing it to traditional web browsers and exploring the various options it offers for integrating web and native features.

What is WebView2

WebView2 is a control component developed by Microsoft that allows developers to embed web content (HTML, CSS, and JavaScript) directly within their native applications built for Windows 10 and 11. It essentially acts as a lightweight web browser engine encapsulated within the native application. Here's a breakdown of its core functionality:

• Renders Web Content: WebView2 utilizes the rendering engine of Microsoft Edge to display web pages and interact with web APIs within the native application.
• Native Integration: Developers can easily integrate WebView2 controls within their application's user interface, allowing for a cohesive user experience.
• Bidirectional Communication: WebView2 facilitates communication between the native application and the embedded web content, enabling data exchange and interaction.
• Access to Native Features: Developers can leverage native application functionalities like file system access, geolocation, and user authentication within the web content.

Platforms Supported by WebView2

WebView2 supports the following programming environments:

• Win32 C/C++
• .NET Framework 4.6.2 or later
• .NET Core 3.1 or later
• .NET 5 or later
• WinUI 2.0
• WinUI 3.0

WebView2 can run on the following versions of Windows:

• Windows 11
• Windows 10
• Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC x32 2019
• Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC x64 2019
• Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 21h1 x64
• Windows Server 2022
• Windows Server 2019
• Windows Server 2016

WebView2 is also supported on these devices:

• Xbox
• HoloLens 2

Benefits of WebView2

• Web Ecosystem and Skills: You can take advantage of the full web platform, libraries, tools, and skilled developers already available in the web ecosystem.
• Faster Innovation: Web development allows for quicker deployment and updates, so you can improve your app faster.
• Support for Windows 10 and 11: WebView2 works consistently across both Windows 10 and Windows 11, providing a smooth user experience.
• Native Capabilities: You can access all Native APIs to integrate native features within your app.
• Code Sharing: By adding web code to your app, you can reuse it across multiple platforms, saving time and effort.
• Microsoft Support: Microsoft offers support and helps add new features on supported platforms.
• Evergreen Distribution: You can rely on the latest version of Chromium with regular updates and security patches.
• Fixed Version Distribution: You have the option to package a specific version of Chromium in your app if needed.
• Incremental Adoption: You can add web components to your app gradually, without needing a complete overhaul.

Key Considerations for Developers

While WebView2 offers significant benefits, there are certain aspects developers should consider:

• Learning Curve: While the core concepts are similar to web development, working with WebView2 requires familiarity with its specific APIs and functionalities.
• Security: Embedding web content introduces potential security vulnerabilities. Developers need to use strong security practices to reduce these risks.
• Performance: The performance of web content within WebView2 can be impacted by factors like complex web code and resource limitations. Optimization strategies might be necessary.
• Debugging: Debugging issues within WebView2 can require additional steps compared to traditional web development due to the integration with the native application.

Deployment and Distribution Options

WebView2 offers two deployment options for developers:

• WebView2 Runtime: This redistributable runtime is the recommended approach for production environments. It ensures users have the latest and most secure version of the WebView2 engine.
• Microsoft Edge Preview Channels: While not ideal for production, developers can leverage preview channels of the Microsoft Edge browser for testing and development purposes.

Traditional Web Browsers vs WebView2: Why Use WebView2

While traditional web browsers like Microsoft Edge and Chrome offer excellent functionality for web browsing, they aren't always the ideal solution for integrating web content within native applications. Here's how WebView2 addresses limitations of traditional browsers in this context:

• Designed for Integration: Unlike traditional browsers made for standalone browsing, WebView2 is created to be embedded within native apps, offering a smoother and more unified experience with better control over the web content displayed.
• Lightweight Design: WebView2 is more lightweight than a full browser, using fewer resources and potentially loading web content faster within your app.
• Native App Features: WebView2 lets developers use app-specific features, such as accessing files, geolocation, and user authentication, within the embedded web content. This level of integration is harder to achieve with traditional browsers.
• Offline Access: While regular browsers require an internet connection, WebView2 allows developers to create features for offline access to certain web content within the app, which is useful when users have limited or no internet access.
• Automatic Updates: Updates to the Microsoft Edge engine are automatically applied to WebView2, so developers don’t need to separately update the app and the web content.

Conclusion

To conclude, WebView2 is an invaluable tool for developers looking to embed web content within desktop applications. By leveraging the Chromium engine, it provides high performance and flexibility for integrating web and native features, all while keeping applications secure and up to date. Whether you’re developing with C++, .NET, or other frameworks, WebView2 allows you to deliver a consistent, effective experience for your users.

If you want to incorporate the latest web standards into your desktop apps without the hassle of managing separate browser versions, WebView2 is the way to go. As web and native technologies continue to evolve, WebView2 will play a key role in simplifying app development and making it more efficient for developers everywhere.