wpfui

WPF UI is a C# library that brings the modern Fluent visual style, the same look used in Windows 11 apps, to the older WPF desktop application framework. WPF stands for Windows Presentation Foundation, a Microsoft technology for building Windows desktop programs. Developers who already have WPF applications can add this library to make those apps look current without rewriting them from scratch.

The library works by replacing the standard building blocks of a WPF app with styled versions. Controls like buttons, lists, and toggle switches get the newer rounded, light, or dark appearance automatically. It also adds entirely new controls that WPF does not include by default, such as navigation sidebars, number input boxes, dialog pop-ups, and notification bars (called snackbars). There is also support for a custom title bar that enables the Windows 11 snap layout feature, the grid that appears when you hover over a window's maximize button.

Installing it is straightforward. The package is distributed through NuGet, the standard package manager for .NET projects. A plugin for Visual Studio 2022, the main tool developers use to write C# code, lets you start a new project already configured with WPF UI. A gallery app is available in the Microsoft Store so you can browse and test all the included controls before writing any code.

Once installed, you add a couple of lines to your application's resource file to load the themes, then your existing XAML layouts automatically pick up the new styles. From that point you can use the custom controls in your layouts the same way you would use any standard WPF control.

The project is created and maintained by Leszek Pomianowski and an open-source community. It is licensed under the MIT License, meaning you can use it in both personal and commercial projects as long as you include the license text. Paid support plans are available through the creator's website for teams that need dedicated assistance.