react-native-windows
Microsoft's official extension of React Native that brings the framework to Windows, letting developers build native Windows apps (PCs, tablets, Xbox, mixed reality) with JavaScript and React. It implements Windows-native renderers — the legacy UWP XAML-based Paper renderer and the newer Composition/WinAppSDK-based Fabric renderer.
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[](https://opensources.dev/resource/react-native-windows)MITPermissive — free to use in commercial and proprietary software, with attribution.View license →
Production readiness
4/5- Actively maintainedCommits in the last 6 months
- No known vulnerabilitiesNot yet scanned
- Clear, usable licenseMIT (permissive)
- Proven adoptionWidely used
- Has documentationDocumentation indexed
Our analysis
A Microsoft-maintained platform implementation of React Native that targets the Windows 10/11 SDK, providing native Windows renderers so React/JS codebases can produce real Windows applications.
When to use react-native-windows
Use it when you already have or want a React Native codebase and need to ship a genuinely native Windows desktop app, sharing UI logic and components across iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows. Good for teams invested in the React ecosystem who want native Windows controls rather than a web-wrapped shell.
When not to
Skip it if you're Windows-only and have no JS/React stack — native frameworks like WinUI, .NET MAUI, or WPF are more direct. For purely web-based desktop apps Electron or Tauri are simpler, and Flutter is a stronger choice if you want a single rendering engine with no JS bridge.
Strengths
- Backed by Microsoft with active development and a clear Fabric/WinAppSDK roadmap
- Reuses existing React Native skills and component code across platforms
- Renders to true native Windows surfaces (XAML/Composition) rather than a webview
- Broad device reach: PCs, tablets, Xbox, mixed reality
Trade-offs
- Windows desktop is a smaller community than iOS/Android, so third-party module support and StackOverflow coverage lag
- Mid-migration between the old Paper renderer and new Fabric architecture adds confusion and breaking-change risk
- Native module/interop work requires C++/C# knowledge, eroding the 'JS-only' promise for advanced features
- Heavy toolchain dependencies (Visual Studio, Windows SDK) make setup non-trivial
Maturity
Mature and production-used (e.g., Microsoft's own apps), with 17k+ stars and ongoing releases, but the simultaneous transition to the Fabric/WinAppSDK architecture means parts of the platform are in flux and version-to-version stability should be verified.
See the official React Native website for an introduction to React Native.
React Native is a framework developed by Meta that enables you to build world-class application experiences on native platforms using a consistent developer experience based on JavaScript and React. The focus of React Native is on developer efficiency across all the platforms you care about - learn once, write anywhere.
This repository adds support for the Windows 10 SDK, which allows you to build apps for all devices supported by Windows 10 including PCs, tablets, 2-in-1s, Xbox, Mixed reality devices etc.
Visit the official React Native for Windows + macOS website to learn more.
🛣️ Roadmap
Check out our blog if you'd like to stay up to date on the status of React Native for Windows and check out current and past roadmaps.
New Architecture
Fabric is the new rendering system for React Native, designed to share more rendering logic cross-platform. RNW's existing Paper renderer is built on UWP XAML, dropping down into native Composition as need be; the new RNW Fabric renderer targets Composition from the start but has the ability to host islands of XAML for advanced native controls. Apps on the new architecture will be WinAppSDK Win32 by default. For more details on our roadmap to Fabric, check out this pinned issue.
🖼️ React Native Gallery
Make sure to also check out the React Native Gallery, our interactive sample experience showing everything you can do with React Native for Windows.
📋 Getting Started
See the Getting Started Guide on our React Native for Windows + macOS website to build your first React Native for Windows app.
Requirements
You can run React Native Windows apps only on devices supported by the Windows 10 SDK.
For a full and detailed list of the system requirements and how to set up your development platform, see our System Requirements documentation on our website.
Logging Issues
Search the existing issues and try to make sure your problem doesn’t already exist before opening a new issue. If your issue doesn't exist yet, provide as much information as possible so we can better help you. Include the information requested by the appropriate issue template.
Documentation
React Native has great documentation. React Native for Windows adds its own separate Windows and macOS documentation for desktop platform information like API docs and blog updates.
Examples
Using the CLI in the Getting Started guide will set you up with a sample React Native for Windows app that you can begin editing right away.
Check the samples repo for more standalone samples.
The React Native Gallery app demonstrates various components in an interactive way.
Check out the React Native Developer Blog to see examples from past conference talks, blog posts, and more.
For more sample code browse the RNTester folder in the GitHub web UI.
📢 Contributing
See Contributing guidelines for how to setup your fork of the repo and start a PR to contribute to React Native for Windows.
Not sure where to start? The good first issue and help wanted labels are the best starting points.
Code of Conduct
This project has adopted the Microsoft Open Source Code of Conduct. For more information see the Code of Conduct FAQ or contact opencode@microsoft.com with any additional questions or comments.