Hacker News Reader

Comment by negativegate | Hacker News Reader

I didn't see any mention of Windows 7 or that it won't be a UWP on Windows, are there more details somewhere?

The GitHub readme is more explicit:

> We will evolve the Microsoft Edge app architecture, enabling distribution to all supported versions of Windows including Windows 7 and Windows 8, as well as Windows 10. We will also bring Microsoft Edge to other desktop platforms, such as macOS.

Agreed. I see zero chance that Edge will suddenly be ported back to Windows 7. And it would be almost as big of a shock if the Chromium-based Edge is not UWP.

The blog post says it's coming to all supported versions of windows. Until 2020, that includes Windows 7 and 8

In this case, I think "supported" means what Microsoft calls "Mainstream Support" (1). Windows 7 and 8.1 are both in "Extended Support", which only gets security updates.

Mainstream support for Win7 ended in 2015, for Win8.1 in January 2018. The only mainstream supported versions of Windows are various Windows 10 editions.

(1) https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/14085/microsoft-bus...

I stand corrected--this is exactly what they're going to do. Take Win32 Chromium, rename it Edge, and build it for Win7, 8, and 10. What a huge blow to everyone at MS who believes in UWP.

https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/6/18128648/microsoft-edge-c...

> What a huge blow to everyone at MS who believes in UWP.

That may be so, but is there anyone outside of MS who believes in UWP? Not even stalwart MS exclusive devs seem to do so.

Adobe XD is a UWP app.

Maybe there will still be a UWP version on Windows 10?

Why should it be a blow?

The fact is that if they want to support Windows 7, 8.1 and macOS it naturally cannot be kept as UWP app, as their infrastructure requires Windows 10 features.

It's important to remind folks the Universal Windows Platform includes Win32 apps.

UWP includes Win32 apps, as well (if they play well with appx/ MSIX).

Reply on news.ycombinator.com