Evergreen Webview2 Guide

The runtime stays on the latest version of Chromium.

When a new version of Microsoft Edge stable releases (typically every four weeks), the Evergreen WebView2 Runtime updates alongside it. Minimizing Breaking Changes

When an app creates a WebView2 environment with the Evergreen mode, the runtime locates the installed system runtime and loads it.

If you are building a Windows app with WebView2, understanding the "Evergreen" model is critical to deciding how your app will be distributed, updated, and maintained. evergreen webview2

Write defensive code. If the WebView2 runtime is missing or corrupted, display a user-friendly error message or a download link instead of crashing.

: The runtime updates itself automatically on client machines, ensuring your app always runs on the most secure and modern web engine. Reduced Disk Footprint

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. The runtime stays on the latest version of Chromium

Keep your native desktop code (C#, C++, Electron, etc.) strictly separated from your frontend web code. Use secure communication bridges like PostWebMessageAsJson and window.chrome.webview.addEventListener to pass data safely.

For mission-critical industrial or regulated environments, the Fixed Version model may be preferable. For most desktop SaaS clients, enterprise LOB apps, and hybrid applications, Evergreen is superior.

Minimal risk of breaking changes if web standards evolve rapidly (though Microsoft actively mitigates this). Why Choose the Evergreen Model? If you are building a Windows app with

: It is pre-installed on Windows 11 and pushed to eligible Windows 10 devices through Microsoft 365 Apps .

The Evergreen model's automatic update capability is its defining characteristic. After the initial installation, the WebView2 Runtime is automatically updated on client machines, ensuring that all WebView2 applications benefit from the latest security patches and performance improvements without any additional effort from developers.

Evergreen WebView2 Runtime is a distribution mode for the Microsoft Edge WebView2