Because the Evergreen Runtime updates automatically, your application is protected against newly discovered vulnerabilities in the Chromium engine. You no longer need to worry about users running outdated, vulnerable embedded browsers. 2. Enhanced Performance and Footprint
: The runtime updates itself automatically on client machines, ensuring your app always runs on the most secure and modern web engine. Reduced Disk Footprint
: On supported systems, the Evergreen WebView2 binaries are hard-linked with Microsoft Edge binaries, leading to better memory and performance efficiency. Forward Compatibility
. Unlike the "Fixed Version" mode, Evergreen ensures your app always has the latest security patches, web features, and performance improvements without requiring you to manually push updates. Microsoft Learn 🚀 Why Use Evergreen? Zero Maintenance:
When implementing WebView2, the most critical architectural decision you will make is choosing your distribution model. While a distribution binds your app to a specific, immutable browser binary, the Evergreen model relies on a shared, system-wide runtime that updates automatically.
: Reduces disk footprint by sharing one copy of the runtime across multiple apps on a single system.
To address this, Microsoft recommends implementing the NewBrowserVersionAvailable event handler in your WebView2 applications. This event is triggered when a new version of the Evergreen runtime has been installed on the system but is not yet being used by the running application. The correct flow for this scenario is:
The Evergreen model is designed for the majority of application scenarios in 2026. Here are the primary benefits: 1. Superior Security
You can subscribe to the NewBrowserVersionAvailable event to know when the underlying Evergreen runtime has updated. This allows you to refresh your WebView2 or notify the user.
Evergreen is the recommended distribution mode for most developers. Microsoft encourages this approach across development scenarios because it allows applications to benefit from the latest security and platform fixes without per-app runtime management.
Support for older operating systems like Windows 7 or Server 2012 R2 has ended, and newer evergreen versions may fail to install on these platforms.
The WebView2 runtime is powered by the open-source project—the same engine behind Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and Brave.
Whether you're building a new desktop application from scratch or modernizing an existing WinForms, WPF, or C++ project, Microsoft Edge WebView2—in its Evergreen incarnation—provides the foundation for delivering rich, web-powered experiences that are secure, performant, and ready for the future.
The benefits of using Evergreen WebView2 are numerous, and they can be summarized as follows:
When an app creates a WebView2 environment with the Evergreen mode, the runtime locates the installed system runtime and loads it.
Write defensive code. If the WebView2 runtime is missing or corrupted, display a user-friendly error message or a download link instead of crashing.