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Mahrukh Adeel
Mahrukh Adeel

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Exciting News: Windows Community Toolkit v8.1 is here

I am excited to inform you of the release of Windows Community Toolkit 8.1, a significant update that brings powerful new capabilities to WinUI and .NET developers. This version introduces key improvements and compatibility updates to streamline your development process.

Key Highlights of Version 8.1

Expanded Compatibility

  • Full support for WindowsAppSDK 1.5 and Uno Platform 5.2
  • Seamless integration with .NET 8
  • Optimized for Windows version 22621

Simplified Package Management

  • Updated NuGet package redirects ensure smooth transitions from older versions

Enhanced UI Components

  • Revamped ColorPicker and ColorPickerButton with improved UX
  • Redesigned TabbedCommandBar for better integration with WinUI controls

Performance and Functionality Upgrades

  • .NET 8 support
  • Enhanced Camera helpers
  • New spacing options for DockPanel
  • Initial Native AOT annotations

Stability Improvements

  • Numerous bug fixes (full changelog available on GitHub)

Windows Community Toolkit Labs: Innovation in Action

The Toolkit Labs continue to be a hub for cutting-edge development:

  • MarkdownTextBlock: Rebuilt with the Markdig parser for superior compatibility and performance
  • Ribbon Control: New WPF-style Ribbon pattern with collapsible sections and keyboard shortcuts

About Windows Community Toolkit

This comprehensive toolkit offers controls and helper libraries designed to simplify development for WinUI and Uno Platform. Version 8.x represents a major leap forward in usability and extensibility.

Uno Platform: Cross-Platform Development Made Easy

Discover the power of Uno Platform for building cross-platform applications with a single codebase. Supporting Windows, iOS, Android, macOS, Linux, and Web (via WebAssembly), Uno Platform is an open-source, free solution for modern app development.

Check out the official announcement here: Link

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