WindowsCC

WindowsCC is a cross-platform runtime and application framework designed to run Windows software in diverse environments, including non-Windows host operating systems, cloud containers, and mixed-device deployments. It provides a unified API surface and a translation layer that allows Windows binaries and managed code to execute with predictable behavior across platforms.

Developed as an open-source initiative in the late 2010s, WindowsCC began as a compatibility project for Win32 and .NET applications and expanded to support a broader range of Windows APIs. It is maintained by an international community and a governance board, with commercial components offered for enterprise use.

At its core, WindowsCC comprises a compatibility layer that intercepts Windows API calls, a runtime kernel for process, memory, and I/O management, and a packaging system for distributing Windows applications as self-contained units. The framework supports Win32, .NET Framework, and select UWP workloads, and can run on Linux, macOS, or Windows through containerization or virtualization.

Distribution and editions: The project ships a free Community edition and paid Pro and Enterprise editions that add advanced deployment tools, monitoring, and enterprise security features. Applications are packaged in .wccpkg format and can be deployed to WindowsCC Containers or standard host environments, with optional integration into cloud orchestration platforms.

Reception and status: WindowsCC has been used in pilot modernization programs to preserve legacy software while migrating functionality. Criticisms focus on performance overhead, incomplete API coverage for newer Windows features, and dependency on underlying host support. Ongoing development aims to broaden API support, improve efficiency, and enhance compatibility testing.