Microsoft's Next Windows API Change Will Break Some Apps

Microsoft has deprecated the UWP Map power API successful Windows. Windows applications utilizing that diagnostic to embed Bing maps volition halt receiving updated maps, and they volition yet halt moving entirely. Microsoft’s ain Maps app mightiness besides unopen down.

Microsoft introduced the MapControl API successful Windows 10, which allowed apps to show maps utilizing information from Bing. It was a adjuvant diagnostic for upwind applications, instrumentality tracking tools, and anyplace other an app mightiness request to amusement a satellite representation oregon section area. However, it was a constituent successful the Universal Windows Platform (UWP) architecture, which was ne'er a fashionable mode to physique Windows applications. Microsoft merged UWP backmost into Win32 with Project Reunion, and astir UWP functionality is present disposable to accepted Windows apps.

The MapControl API was powered by Bing Maps for Enterprise, which has already been retired successful favour of Microsoft’s newer Azure Maps service. Microsoft announced contiguous that the Windows UWP Map power is present officially deprecated—it volition proceed moving successful existing applications for a while, but the maps volition nary longer beryllium updated.

In a blog station for bundle developers, Microsoft said, “In May 2024 we announced the unification of Bing Maps for Enterprise with Azure Maps into the compliant Azure offering powered by the aforesaid Bing Maps data. If your solution leverages the Windows UWP control, we would similar to petition that you look to determination to an Azure Maps based replacement earlier April 2026 alternatively than the extremity day for the full Bing Maps for Enterprise platform.”

The Impact

The bully quality is that this alteration doesn’t substance for astir people. The astir notable app utilizing these APIs seems to beryllium Windows Maps, which utilized to beryllium installed by default connected caller PCs. Microsoft said the Bing API shutdown “aligns with the aforesaid announcement for the Maps Application.”

That sounds similar the Windows Maps app volition besides halt receiving caller maps data, but Maps is already utilizing TomTom for astatine slightest immoderate of its features, truthful the nonstop interaction isn’t clear. We’ve reached retired to Microsoft for comment, and we’ll update this nonfiction erstwhile we perceive back. The Windows Maps app presently shows a banner astir offline maps being removed “by the extremity of 2023.”

A GitHub search reveals immoderate smaller projects utilizing the maps API, including an openHAB lawsuit for Windows, and an unofficial Pokémon GO port for Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile. There mightiness beryllium immoderate niche apps inactive successful usage that necessitate the API to function, but it’s astir apt not being utilized successful immoderate fashionable tools astatine this point. Windows applications utilizing representation information from Google, OpenStreetMap, and different providers are not affected.

Microsoft said the “UWP Maps level enactment wrong Windows volition nary longer beryllium available” successful “approximately 1 twelvemonth from this announcement,” which sounds similar immoderate apps inactive relying connected the Map power API volition halt moving astir April 2026. That’s not wholly clear, though, since the underlying Bing Maps for Enterprise level is expected to proceed moving until June 30, 2028.

If you are a bundle developer with a task utilizing the UWP Map control, Microsoft recommends that you migrate your codification to Azure Maps.

Source: Microsoft Bing Blogs