In a exciting development for Windows developers, Microsoft has rolled out an intriguing feature update for Dev Home, marking the release of Dev Home 0.19. This app, designed specifically for developers on Windows 10 and 11, has been enhanced to empower users with new features and bolster productivity. Let's break down what’s new, what’s gone, and how these changes might impact your development experience.
Dev Home 0.19 is compatible with all versions of Windows 11 and Windows 10 build 19045 and above.
Overall, the release of Dev Home 0.19 signifies Microsoft's commitment to enhancing the developer experience on Windows while trimming away the excess that may hinder productivity. Whether you are a seasoned developer or just starting out, this update offers valuable tools that may streamline your workflow and integration efforts.
Will these changes elevate your development game? Or do you miss the features that have been retired? Share your thoughts and join the conversation on our forum!
Source: Neowin Microsoft releases Dev Home 0.19 with File Explorer source control integration and more
What's New in Dev Home 0.19?
1. File Explorer Source Control Integration
Arguably the headline feature of this update is the File Explorer source control integration. Now developers can seamlessly manage their source code repositories located in Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) directly through File Explorer. This integration simplifies workflow by allowing users to track changes and manage their version control assets without the need to switch between multiple applications.2. Updated WinAppSDK
The update also includes an upgrade to the Windows App SDK (WinAppSDK), now at version 1.5. The Windows App SDK helps developers build modern Windows apps with better performance, access to new APIs, and improved capabilities for user interface (UI) design. This upgrade means more features and potentially smoother experiences when creating apps on Windows.3. Unassign Version Control
Previously, if a repository was linked to File Explorer, there was no easy way to unlink it. With the new functionality, users can now unassign version control from selected repositories directly within the File Explorer integration page, giving developers more control over their workspaces.4. Accessibility Improvements
Microsoft has made strides in ensuring that Dev Home is accessible to all users. Enhancements include:- The Narrator tool now announces every component in the File Explorer source integration.
- Improved text visibility on the app install page, with links no longer getting cut off.
- Stability enhancements for keyboard focus when interacting with File Explorer windows.
Removed Features: What You Won't See Anymore
With every update comes a few departures, and Dev Home 0.19 is no exception. A few experimental features have been removed, including:- Introductory Page: The welcome screen that greeted new users has been taken away, possibly in favor of a more streamlined experience.
- Dev Diagnostics and Quickstart Playground: These experimental tools meant to assist developers have also been removed, which may upset those who relied on these for troubleshooting and quick testing.
- Quiet Background Processes: This feature aimed at reducing background noise during development is now off the table.
Bug Fixes and Improvements
The update also addresses various bugs that have been annoying users:- No more timeout errors when installing WSL distros through Dev Home.
- Better handling of package caches during environment setup, ensuring that developers can set up their environments with less friction.
- Improvements in multi-account handling, allowing smoother transitions between different user profiles.
How to Get Dev Home 0.19
Curious to try out the new features? You can easily grab the latest version from the official GitHub repository or use the command line with Windows Package Manager (winget) by simply entering:
Bash:
winget install --id Microsoft.DevHome -eOverall, the release of Dev Home 0.19 signifies Microsoft's commitment to enhancing the developer experience on Windows while trimming away the excess that may hinder productivity. Whether you are a seasoned developer or just starting out, this update offers valuable tools that may streamline your workflow and integration efforts.
Will these changes elevate your development game? Or do you miss the features that have been retired? Share your thoughts and join the conversation on our forum!
Source: Neowin Microsoft releases Dev Home 0.19 with File Explorer source control integration and more