Windows Template Studio 1.2 is now available, here’s what’s new

Microsoft has just released Windows Template Studio 1.2, a new version of its UWP app creation tool that will soon replace Windows App Studio. This new version brings several new features and improvements, including the ability to add content into an existing application via a simple right-click.

Here are the main additions for the extension to Visual Studio (the full list of improvements is available on the dedicated Github);

Improvements to the Wizard:

• Add new content to existing WTS generated projects in your solution window via right-click
  • We will be working toward seeing how we can enable this for non-WTS generated projects
• Adjusted ordering of templates based on popularity and logical groupings
• Under the hood, we’ve done a lot of work toward localization and started some accessibility improvements
• Simplified descriptions
• Logo adjustment to help at smaller icon sizes

Feature updates:

• First-time load prompt
• What’s New prompt

Template improvements:

• Upgraded references to UWP Community Toolkit 1.5
• Styling adjustments
• Template generation post-action improvements

Process improvements:

• Added in pull request template
• Added in Issue template

If you already installed Windows Template Studio, the extension should automatically update to the latest version. As for developers who have yet to try the new developer tool, it’s available to download on this page. If you’re wondering, Microsoft also announced today some of the new features coming in future builds, including Visual Basic support, Fluent Design in the templates, Project Rome features and more.

Last but not least, Windows Template Studio has just been accepted into the .NET Foundation, joining other projects such as .NET Core, Roslyn and UWP Community Toolkit. “We are thrilled to be accepted in,” the company said in the blog post.