Evergreen Webview2 !new! File

Before running the installer, your setup logic should check if the runtime is already present (since it might be installed by another app or Windows Update).

When Microsoft introduced WebView2, they solved a major pain point for Windows developers: hosting web content inside a native application without the heavy baggage and security risks of the old WebBrowser control (which relied on Internet Explorer).

Evergreen WebView2 is the modern, secure, and efficient way to integrate web content into Windows applications in 2026. By offloading the burden of web platform maintenance to Microsoft, developers can focus on building core application features, while benefiting from the security and performance of the latest Chromium engine. evergreen webview2

The runtime stays on the latest version of Chromium.

Why was WebView2 re-installed after I uninstalled it? - Microsoft Q&A Before running the installer, your setup logic should

Would you like to know more about Evergreen WebView2 or is there a specific aspect you'd like me to expand on?

Never assume the runtime is present. Before initializing your web view, wrap your setup in a try-catch block or use native check APIs to verify its presence. If missing, redirect the user to Microsoft's official download page or trigger a silent background download using the Evergreen Bootstrapper. By offloading the burden of web platform maintenance

| Feature | Evergreen Runtime | Fixed Version Runtime | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Not packaged with the app; system-wide component. | Packaged directly inside the app bundle. | | Runtime Updates | Automatically updated by Microsoft in the background. | Updates only occur when the developer releases a new app version. | | Disk Space | Shared across all apps using the runtime, minimizing disk footprint. | Each app contains its own copy of the runtime; space usage is multiplied per app. | | Network Dependency | An internet connection is typically required for the initial installation (unless using the offline installer) and for automatic updates. | Can be installed entirely offline; no network dependency after app is deployed. | | Version Control | The app cannot specify or enforce a particular version of the runtime to be used. | The app uses exactly the version it ships with, providing perfect predictability. | | Recommendation | Microsoft's recommended default for most WebView2 apps. | Recommended only for applications with strict compatibility requirements or for deployment on air-gapped systems. |