Shipping a Fixed Version of Chromium adds over 100MB to your installer package. Evergreen relies on a runtime that is built directly into modern Windows operating systems (Windows 11) or deployed once via a lightweight bootstrapper on older systems. 3. Continuous Performance and Feature Gains
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MicrosoftEdgeWebView2RuntimeInstallerX64/X86/ARM64.exe /silent /install
Your app gains access to modern web capabilities, performance tweaks, and web standards. Evergreen vs. Fixed Version: The Core Differences evergreen webview2
These samples are available on Microsoft's official GitHub repository and serve as excellent starting points for integrating WebView2 runtime deployment into any installer technology [12†L10-L11].
The bootstrapper requires an active internet connection during installation [13†L43-L46]. Its small size makes it ideal for inclusion in online installers, where the primary application download is small, and the runtime is fetched only when needed. It also ensures the installation of the most recent version of the runtime.
represents a significant shift in how developers embed web content into native applications. It moves away from the traditional "ship your own engine" model to a managed, auto-updating runtime model. Shipping a Fixed Version of Chromium adds over
Multiple applications on a user's machine use the same shared runtime, saving disk space and memory.
Here is a deep dive into what the Evergreen distribution mode is, how it works, and why it matters for developers.
A common pain point for developers is handling the scenario where a user does not have the WebView2 Runtime installed. Continuous Performance and Feature Gains I can provide
One of the most compelling aspects of the Evergreen distribution model is its deep integration with the Windows operating system. The Evergreen Runtime is preinstalled on as part of the operating system itself. Microsoft has also distributed the WebView2 Runtime to all eligible Windows 10 devices through Windows Update, meaning that a vast majority of Windows users already have the required runtime installed before your application ever reaches their machine.
: Since the runtime is shared across all WebView2-powered apps on a system, it consumes significantly less space than the "Fixed Version" model. Optimal Performance
The WebView2 Evergreen distribution model delivers the optimal balance between application agility and desktop stability. By shifting the burden of security compliance, performance tuning, and web standard updates to Microsoft, engineering teams can focus entirely on building stellar user experiences.
If the runtime isn't found, you can trigger a "Bootstrapper" during your app's installation. This is a tiny file that downloads and installs the correct runtime for the user’s architecture (x64, ARM, etc.) automatically. Evergreen vs. Fixed Version: Which is right for you?
To ensure a smooth user experience, run the installer with silent arguments so the user isn't bombarded with extra installation wizards.