Microsoft releases experimental WinUI 3 Registry Editor sample
- Microsoft published a new Registry Editor sample in its open-source Reactor repository.
- The tool uses the WinUI 3 framework and features a modern Mica backdrop.
- It is an experimental project and not intended to replace the standard Windows 11 regedit.
- The app interacts with the actual registry but lacks features like permission management.
- Testing on Windows 11 Build 26340.9882 shows performance comparable to the existing editor.
Abhijith M B of Windows Latest compiled the sample and confirmed it interacts with the actual Windows Registry.
This software is not an official replacement for the standard regedit.exe tool. The Reactor repository also hosts other sample applications, including WordPuzzle, minesweeper, chat, and netpulse.
A comment within the source code notes that permission management is out of scope for this initial implementation.
Modern interface features and design elements
The WinUI version of the Registry Editor retains the traditional two-pane layout while incorporating modern visual elements. It features a WinUI address box, a status bar showing the current path, and roomier menus.
The application uses the Windows 11 Mica backdrop, which is optimized to sample the desktop wallpaper only once to maintain performance. It also includes fluid WinUI animations for menus and supports smooth window resizing.
The tool utilizes a separate RegistryService class to interact with the registry via.NET’s Microsoft.Win32 APIs. This service includes logic to catch permission errors on protected keys.
Reactor framework powers the new sample application
Microsoft describes Reactor as an experimental C# framework for building WinUI 3 desktop applications. It is not a new UI platform but uses native WinUI controls without relying on HTML, Electron, or WebView2.
The interface is written in C# using React-style hooks like UseState and UseEffect to manage state. This approach avoids XAML pages, code-behind, or ViewModels.
The framework supports interoperability with XAML, MVVM, and existing controls while using hooks such as UseReducer. Microsoft clarified that XAML remains supported and that Reactor is an alternative development approach rather than a requirement for rewriting existing applications.
Functionality and limitations of the Registry Editor sample
The software performs edits on the actual Windows Registry.
Searching is supported via the Ctrl+F command. The application is experimental and lacks certain features, such as persistent favorites.
It also misses features found in the standard registry editor, specifically the ability to manage permissions and import.reg files. It is currently unclear how the sample handles registry redirection between 32-bit and 64-bit logical views.
Testing and performance on Windows 11 Build 26340.9882
Windows Latest compiled and tested the sample on Windows 11 Build 26340.9882. The application was responsive during testing, with performance speeds comparable to the standard Windows registry editor.
When expanding HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, the app displays a loading placeholder before populating keys such as.386,.3gp, and.7z.
The version tested by Windows Latest was a portable build, not an official end-user distribution from Microsoft.
In the Help and About dialog, the software identifies itself as Registry Editor Reactor WinUI 3 Edition. Because the sample modifies real registry data, Windows Latest recommends testing it in a disposable virtual machine.
Incorrect registry edits can prevent Windows from booting.
Microsoft's broader modernization of legacy Windows tools
Microsoft is currently working to update several legacy Windows tools to the modern WinUI 3 framework. These efforts include the File Explorer’s Properties dialog, Print Management, and the defrag tool, while the Run dialog has already received an update.
In an October developer blog post, Microsoft promised a tour of its new sample applications for the following month, though that tour has not occurred yet.
Principal Software Developer Engineer Alexandre Zollinger Chohfi mentioned that this specific registry editor sample will be the subject of a future dedicated write-up.
Experimental status and lack of official replacement plans
Microsoft has no plans to replace the existing Windows 11 Registry Editor with this new sample application. The company describes the tool as an experimental project rather than a replacement for current software.
In a blog post dated October 21, 2026, Principal Software Developer Engineer Alexandre Zollinger Chohfi defined the underlying Reactor framework as "experimental: no support policy, no API guarantees". The post also noted that all repository content is MIT licensed.
Reactor is a component-based C# framework designed for WinUI 3. Regarding the broader goals of the project, Alexandre Zollinger Chohfi said the objective of Reactor is "to find out how far MVU can go on WinUI".
Frequently Asked Questions
- Microsoft built a native WinUI Registry Editor that makes Windows 11's regedit look like Windows 95, and I tried it (windowslatest.com)
- Microsoft Publishes a WinUI Registry Editor Sample on ... (digitbin.com)
- Microsoft's WinUI 3 Registry Editor Sample (windowsforum.com)
- Microsoft (tavily.com)
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