Setting Up WPF Projects in Visual Studio 2025

Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) is a robust framework for building Windows desktop applications with rich user interfaces. Recent updates in WPF, particularly with the release of .NET 10 Preview 1 in February 2025, have introduced minor patches and bug fixes, enhancing stability and performance.

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Important Note About Our Course Materials

Our video lectures in Section 13 provide comprehensive instructions on WPF, including installing the WPF workload and creating projects. However, due to updates in WPF and Visual Studio, there might be slight differences between the video content and the current version of the software. We recommend using this article as a reference to navigate any discrepancies you may encounter.

Prerequisites

• Visual Studio 2025: If you are following this with the latest VS installation. If not, then the version shown in the video lectures would be the correct one.

• .NET Desktop Development Workload: This is essential for WPF development.

Installing the WPF Workload

1. Launch Visual Studio Installer:

   • Open the Visual Studio Installer from the Start menu.

   • If Visual Studio is already open, go to Help > About Microsoft Visual Studio > Modify.

2. Modify Installation:

   • In the installer, locate your Visual Studio 2025 installation and click Modify.

3. Select Workloads:

   • In the Workloads tab, check the box for .NET Desktop Development.

   • This workload includes WPF development tools.

4. Install:

   • Click Modify to install the selected workload.

   • Wait for the installation to complete.

Creating a New WPF Project

1. Open Visual Studio 2025:

   • Launch Visual Studio.

2. Create a New Project:

   • In the Start Window, click on Create a new project.

3. Select WPF App Template:

   • In the Create a new project window, type "WPF" into the search box.

   • Select WPF App (.NET Framework) from the list.

   • Click Next.

4. Configure Project:

   • Name your project (e.g., "MyFirstWPFApp").

   • Choose a location to save your project.

   • Select the desired .NET Framework version.

   • Click Create.

5. Explore the Project Structure:

   • Once created, the project will open in Solution Explorer.

   • Key components include:

     • MainWindow.xaml: Defines the UI layout.

     • MainWindow.xaml.cs: Code-behind file containing the logic.

Designing the User Interface

1. Open MainWindow.xaml:

   • Double-click MainWindow.xaml in Solution Explorer.

2. Use the Designer and XAML View:

   • Visual Studio provides a split view:

     • Design View: Visual representation of your UI.

     • XAML View: The underlying XAML code.

   • You can adjust the split or focus on one view as needed.

3. Add Controls:

   • Open the Toolbox (View > Toolbox or Ctrl+Alt+X).

   • Drag and drop controls (e.g., Button, TextBox) onto the design surface.

   • Adjust properties using the Properties window (View > Properties Window or F4).

Building and Running the Application

1. Build the Project:

   • Save your changes (Ctrl+S).

   • Build the project by clicking Build > Build Solution or pressing Ctrl+Shift+B.

2. Run the Application:

   • Start the application by clicking the Start button (F5).

   • A window displaying your designed UI should appear.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Designer Not Displaying:

  • Ensure all necessary workloads are installed.

  • Try closing and reopening the XAML file or restarting Visual Studio.

• Controls Not Appearing as Expected:

  • Check the XAML code for errors.

  • Ensure controls are within the correct layout containers.

• Referencing External Resources:

  • Ensure resource paths are correct and files are included in the project.

  
  

Remember, while our video lectures provide a foundational understanding, this guide reflects the latest updates in Visual Studio 2025. Use it as a reference to navigate any differences and enhance your learning experience.

Happy coding! 🚀