Evergreen Webview2 | Link

When a user installs the Microsoft Edge browser (stable channel), the Evergreen WebView2 runtime is automatically installed and shared across all apps on the machine. It lives in a well-known system folder (typically C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\EdgeWebView\Application ).

Furthermore, Microsoft has announced that the legacy WebBrowser control will be permanently disabled in future Windows releases. For line-of-business applications still using VB6 or WinForms with IE, migration to Evergreen WebView2 is not optional—it’s a necessity.

| Feature | Evergreen Distribution (Recommended) | Fixed Version Distribution | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Runtime is not included in your app package. | Runtime is downloaded and packaged with your app. | | Updates | Automatic and silent, managed by Microsoft. | Manual . Developer must repackage and ship updates. | | Disk Footprint | Efficient . The runtime is shared across all WebView2 apps on the same machine. | Inefficient . Each app has its own private, separate copy, leading to duplication. | | Version Control | Low . Your app cannot enforce a specific runtime version. | High . You have complete control over exactly which runtime version is used. | | Best For... | Most applications , especially those distributed publicly where security and latest features are a priority. | Apps with strict compatibility requirements , offline scenarios, or those that must ensure no external updates disrupt the environment. | evergreen webview2

Set CoreWebView2EnvironmentOptions.TargetCompatibleBrowserVersion if you require a specific baseline.

Despite the many advantages of the Evergreen model, Fixed Version distribution remains important for specific scenarios. Microsoft recommends it only for applications with strict compatibility requirements. When a user installs the Microsoft Edge browser

: Apps can use the latest WebView2 APIs from the current WebView2 SDK without repackaging the app. Maintenance & Troubleshooting

To wrap up: is Microsoft’s strategic solution for hosting web content in native apps. It combines the best of both worlds: the rich capabilities of Chromium with the deployment simplicity of automatic updates. | | Updates | Automatic and silent, managed by Microsoft

By adopting the Evergreen model, developers benefit from reduced application size, lower maintenance overhead, and a future-proofed architecture that automatically receives security patches and performance improvements. The runtime's preinstallation on Windows 11 means that for a growing number of users, your application simply works without any additional setup.

However, the true power of WebView2 lies not just in its performance, but in its distribution model: . This article explores what Evergreen WebView2 is, why it's the recommended approach for developers, and how it transforms application maintenance and security. What is Evergreen WebView2?