8 Best-Selling UWP Books Millions Love

Discover top UWP Books authored by recognized experts such as Pete Brown, Sergii Baidachnyi, and Alvin Ashcraft, all best-selling and reader-validated.

Updated on June 26, 2025
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When millions of developers and industry experts converge on a set of resources, it signals something more than fleeting trends — it signals proven value. The Universal Windows Platform (UWP) continues to be a key framework for building versatile Windows applications, and mastering it requires guidance rooted in real-world success.

The 8 books featured here are penned by accomplished authors intimately connected with Microsoft technologies, including Pete Brown and Sergii Baidachnyi. Their deep experience ranges from developer evangelism to hands-on application architecture, providing you with knowledge that’s both authoritative and actionable.

While these popular titles offer established frameworks and insights, if your UWP journey calls for content tailored to your background, skill level, and goals, consider creating a personalized UWP book that combines these validated approaches with your specific learning needs.

Best for C# developers new to UWP
Pete Brown is a Developer Evangelist at Microsoft and author of Silverlight 4 in Action and Silverlight 5 in Action. His extensive experience—from being a Microsoft Silverlight MVP to a RIA Architect—forms the backbone of this book. Brown wrote this guide to help C# developers transition smoothly into Windows Store app development, bringing clarity to the Windows 8 app model and XAML. His deep familiarity with Microsoft technologies shines through, offering readers a trustworthy path into UWP coding and deployment.
2013·624 pages·UWP, XAML, Desktop App Development, Windows, Software Development

Pete Brown draws on decades of programming experience and his role at Microsoft to guide C# developers through the nuances of creating Windows Store apps. You'll learn how to harness XAML effectively alongside new Windows 8 features like touch input, app-to-app communication, and the WinRT API. The book offers a practical walkthrough from designing interfaces to deploying and selling apps in the Windows Store, with sample projects illustrating topics such as layout panels, asynchronous programming, and sensor integration. If you're comfortable with C# and want to expand into UWP development, this book gives you a solid foundation and actionable insights without assuming prior Windows 8 knowledge.

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Best for mastering Windows 10 UWP apps
Sergii Baidachnyi, principal developer evangelist at Microsoft, brings his extensive experience in .NET projects and application architecture to this book. Having worked on financial, medical, and multimedia software, he offers a comprehensive guide tailored for developers aiming to master Windows 10 application development. His background ensures readers receive insights grounded in real industry challenges and the evolving Windows ecosystem, making this book a valuable resource for expanding your skills in UWP.
2016·520 pages·UWP, Application Development, C# Programming, XAML, Adaptive Interfaces

When Sergii Baidachnyi first embraced the Universal Windows Platform, he recognized the challenge of unifying application development across diverse Windows 10 devices. His book guides you through mastering UWP fundamentals like XAML and adaptive interfaces, then deepens into OS integration, monetization, and advanced topics including Azure and IoT scenarios. You’ll gain practical skills in handling input methods, creating animated graphics, using live tiles, and publishing to the Store. This book suits developers familiar with C# eager to expand into Windows 10 app development without prior XAML experience, offering a structured path from basics to advanced capabilities.

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Best for custom UWP solutions
This AI-created book on UWP development is tailored to your background, skill level, and specific goals. You share which UWP topics and challenges interest you most, and the book focuses on those areas to match your experience and learning objectives. Personalizing the content means you spend less time sifting through general materials and more time mastering exactly what you need to excel in building modern Windows apps.
2025·50-300 pages·UWP, Universal Windows Platform, App Development, Adaptive Interfaces, XAML Usage

This tailored book explores battle-tested Universal Windows Platform (UWP) methods customized to your unique development challenges and goals. It covers core concepts like adaptive interfaces, asynchronous programming, and Windows Runtime integration while delving into advanced topics such as Fluent Design and WinUI 3. By focusing on your interests and background, this personalized guide matches proven techniques with practical applications relevant to your projects. It reveals how to navigate UWP’s evolving ecosystem and optimize app performance with insights drawn from millions of developer experiences. This tailored approach invites you to deepen your mastery by concentrating on the elements that matter most to your success in UWP development.

Tailored Guide
UWP Optimization
3,000+ Books Generated
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Best for advanced Visual Studio UWP users
Kunal Chowdhury, a Microsoft MVP since 2010 and seasoned software engineer, brings deep expertise in Windows app development and cloud technologies to this book. His experience with OOPs, C#, XAML, .NET, WPF, UWP, Visual Studio, and Azure informs a practical guide designed for developers eager to expand their skills with Visual Studio 2017. His technical leadership and passion for sharing knowledge make this book a solid resource for mastering modern Windows development workflows.
2017·466 pages·Visual Studio, UWP, Software Development, Cloud Development, C# Programming

When Kunal Chowdhury wrote this book, his extensive experience as a Microsoft MVP and software engineer clearly shaped its focus. You’ll dive into the newest features of Visual Studio 2017, mastering tools for building Windows apps with WPF and UWP, and accelerating cloud development via Azure integration. The book goes beyond basics, covering C# 7.0, .NET Core, NuGet package management, debugging, and source control workflows. If you're a .NET developer aiming to harness Visual Studio 2017’s full potential and explore cloud-enhanced app development, this guide offers practical insights tailored to your projects.

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Best for practical desktop UWP programming
Roger Deutsch, with more than 23 years in IT spanning from hardware assembly to advanced programming, draws on his diverse background to craft this book. His hands-on style and experience with C++, C#, and JavaScript shape a learning method that prioritizes building real Universal Windows apps for the Windows 10 desktop. This approach reflects his focus on user experience and effective teaching, making the book a solid resource for those eager to jump into UWP development.
2017·191 pages·UWP, Desktop App Development, Windows 10, Software Development, App Programming

Roger Deutsch brings over two decades of IT experience to this guide, focusing on creating Universal Windows Apps specifically tailored for the Windows 10 desktop environment. Rather than overwhelming you with theory, he immerses you in the practical process of building real apps, illustrating each step with screenshots and source code from his GitHub repository. By adopting a hands-on approach, you learn by doing—starting with simple projects and gradually uncovering how and why your code behaves as it does. This book suits both beginners eager to get their feet wet and seasoned developers looking to understand the nuances of UWP desktop programming.

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Best for modern WinUI 3 developers
Alvin Ashcraft, a principal software engineer with over 25 years in Microsoft Windows development and an 11-time Microsoft MVP awardee, authored this book to share his deep knowledge of WinUI 3.0. His extensive experience in healthcare software and community leadership brings practical insights into building and modernizing Windows applications. This book reflects Alvin’s commitment to helping developers navigate the evolving Windows UI landscape with confidence and skill.
2021·440 pages·UWP, Software Development, WinUI, XAML, MVVM Pattern

Alvin Ashcraft brings his 25 years of software engineering expertise to this guide on WinUI 3.0, aimed at developers looking to modernize Windows apps with the latest UI framework. You'll learn how to build fresh Windows 10 applications, integrate the Model-View-ViewModel pattern, and leverage Fluent Design to create polished interfaces. The book also walks you through updating existing WPF and WinForms apps using XAML Islands, with hands-on chapters on setting up Visual Studio projects and using Windows Community Toolkit controls. Whether you're familiar with UWP or transitioning from older frameworks, this book offers a practical path to mastering WinUI for desktop and UWP app development.

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Best for personal launch plans
This AI-created book on UWP development is crafted based on your background, experience level, and the specific areas you want to master. You share your goals and preferred topics, and the book is tailored to focus exactly on what you need for rapid app creation. This personalized approach makes it easier to follow a clear path without wading through unrelated material, helping you build and launch your UWP app in just 30 days.
2025·50-300 pages·UWP, Universal Windows Platform, App Development, C# Programming, XAML Design

This tailored book explores the essentials of Universal Windows Platform (UWP) development through a focused, 30-day journey. It covers core concepts like app architecture, XAML UI design, and C# programming, guiding you through each phase of building functional apps. The content reveals how to navigate UWP tools and APIs effectively, addressing your specific goals and skill level. By concentrating on your interests, this personalized guide accelerates your learning curve with clear explanations and relevant examples. It also examines practical deployment considerations and user interface best practices, ensuring you gain hands-on experience that matches your background and ambition. This tailored approach helps you achieve rapid app development with confidence and clarity.

Tailored Guide
Rapid Development Focus
1,000+ Happy Readers
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Matteo Pagani, lead of the Windows App Consult team at Microsoft and former Windows Development MVP, brings unmatched expertise to this book. His passion for client development and global developer support shines through, guiding you to leverage the latest Windows App SDK and WinUI tools. Drawing from years of hands-on experience, Pagani equips you to modernize your Windows desktop applications with practical techniques and deep integration into the Windows 11 ecosystem.
2022·514 pages·UWP, Desktop App Development, Windows App SDK, WinUI 3, Fluent Design

What happens when deep Microsoft expertise meets practical Windows development? Matteo Pagani, leveraging his leadership of the Windows App Consult team, delivers a focused guide for developers aiming to modernize existing desktop applications without rebuilding from scratch. You’ll gain clear insights on integrating Windows App SDK and WinUI 3, revamping UIs with Fluent Design, and adding features like WinML and Windows Hello. The book walks you through enhancing apps with modern APIs and deploying via MSIX, making it ideal if you want to update Windows Forms, WPF, or UWP apps efficiently. If you’re comfortable with .NET and Visual Studio, this book offers a concrete path to evolve your Windows apps for today’s ecosystem.

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Gunther Pasetzky is a seasoned author and expert in game development, specializing in C# and MonoGame. With extensive experience in programming and game design, he has contributed significantly to the field, providing valuable insights and practical guidance for aspiring developers. This book stems from his deep knowledge and aims to guide you through the detailed stages of creating a 2D game for Windows using the MonoGame framework and Visual Studio 2022, making complex development accessible for new and intermediate programmers alike.
2023·40 pages·UWP, Desktop Development, Desktop App Development, Software Development, Game Development

Unlike most UWP development books that focus on broad theory, Gunther Pasetzky drills down into creating a 2D game specifically with C# and MonoGame. You gain a detailed walkthrough of building the Brick Shredder game, including architecture decisions, integration of graphics and sounds, and publishing both as UWP and desktop apps. The author’s hands-on approach demystifies using Visual Studio 2022 and the MonoGame framework, making it ideal if you want practical insights into game programming workflows. This book suits developers who want to see how a real game is constructed step-by-step rather than just learning isolated concepts.

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Best for WinUI 3 and cross-platform UWP
Alvin Ashcraft is a senior content developer at Microsoft with over 25 years of experience as a software architect and developer. His focus on the Windows App SDK, .NET MAUI, and desktop technologies gives him a unique perspective to guide you through WinUI 3. Having authored previous editions and worked on complex healthcare software, Alvin brings practical expertise that informs this thorough manual for building modern Windows applications with C# and XAML.
2023·386 pages·UWP, XAML, Desktop App Development, MVVM Pattern, Fluent Design

After analyzing decades of Windows development and UI frameworks, Alvin Ashcraft developed this updated guide to help you master WinUI 3 and the Windows App SDK. You’ll learn how to build modern Windows applications using C# and XAML, from setting up your development environment to applying the MVVM pattern, integrating Fluent Design, and deploying apps to the Microsoft Store. Chapters on cross-platform development with Uno Platform and leveraging the Windows Community Toolkit offer practical insights for expanding your app’s reach. If you’re familiar with C# and .NET but new to WinUI, this book walks you through modernizing existing desktop apps and creating fresh, maintainable interfaces.

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Conclusion

This collection reinforces several clear themes: practical, hands-on guidance; integration with evolving Windows technologies; and a focus on modern UI frameworks like WinUI and Fluent Design. If you prefer proven methods grounded in expert experience, begin with Pete Brown’s and Sergii Baidachnyi’s foundational works. For those interested in modernization and advanced tooling, Kunal Chowdhury and Matteo Pagani offer valuable perspectives.

Developers aiming for specialized applications, such as game development, will find Gunther Pasetzky’s detailed walkthrough invaluable. Meanwhile, Alvin Ashcraft’s volumes on WinUI 3 provide cutting-edge strategies for building and modernizing applications in today’s Windows ecosystem.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized UWP book to combine proven methods with your unique needs. These widely-adopted approaches have helped many developers succeed in navigating the complexities of UWP development.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with "Windows Store App Development" by Pete Brown for a solid C# foundation in UWP, then explore more specialized topics as you progress.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to UWP?

Not at all. Several titles, like Roger Deutsch’s and Pete Brown’s books, are designed to guide beginners through practical, hands-on learning.

What’s the best order to read these books?

Begin with foundational UWP concepts by Brown or Baidachnyi, then move to modernization topics by Pagani or Ashcraft, and finally explore specialized areas like game development.

Should I start with the newest book or a classic?

Balance is key. Newer books cover the latest tools like WinUI 3, while classics provide essential groundwork. Combining both offers a comprehensive view.

Do these books assume I already have experience in UWP?

Many start with basics suitable for developers familiar with C# but new to UWP, gradually building toward advanced topics to suit various skill levels.

Can personalized UWP books complement these expert titles?

Yes! These expert books offer proven methods, and personalized UWP books can tailor those approaches to your unique goals and background. Explore custom UWP books here.

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