Table of Contents
Is Meta’s Move to a Chromium-Based WhatsApp App for Windows 11 a Regressive Step?
Meta is replacing WhatsApp’s native Windows 11 app, built with UWP/WinUI, with a Chromium web wrapper. This decision stands out because native apps typically run faster, use less memory, and feel more “at home” on a PC compared to web-based apps. Here’s a clear and simple breakdown of what’s happening and why it matters.
What Has Changed?
The old WhatsApp app for Windows 11 was a UWP/WinUI app. It only ran one process, was light on system resources, and looked and acted like a real Windows app.
The new app uses Microsoft’s WebView2 (the same underlying system as Microsoft Edge, based on Chromium). It launches several background processes and works just like WhatsApp’s website, but inside a container that looks like an app.
This switch makes WhatsApp for Windows 11 almost exactly the same as using web.whatsapp.com in a browser.
How Can You Tell It’s Now a Web Wrapper?
Open Task Manager or Process Hacker while running WhatsApp. You’ll see subprocesses called WebView2. These manage things like graphics, storage, and networking—very similar to Microsoft Edge. Previously, the native app showed only its own process.
What’s Worse About the Change?
The new WhatsApp app uses about 30% more RAM than the older native version. It now feels slower, sometimes taking longer to open, load chats, and process images. The experience is less responsive, especially on older hardware.
Why Did Meta Do This?
- Maintaining one codebase: Web apps let developers create and update WhatsApp for many platforms (Windows, Mac, Linux) at once.
- Less work, faster updates: Features only need to be developed once for the web, not separately for each type of device.
- Lower development costs: WebView2 lets Meta focus on web code, rather than supporting a special Windows-only version.
Why Does This Feel Disappointing?
Native apps offer better performance, real notifications, smoother interactions, and can make better use of a device’s features. Meta’s own help documents even say that native apps are preferred for performance and reliability. For a tech giant with lots of resources, skipping dedicated Windows development seems like a step back, not forward.
What This Means for Everyday Users
- More RAM usage: If you keep many tabs or apps open, WhatsApp will eat more memory, possibly slowing your computer.
- Slower response: Opening WhatsApp, searching, or making calls might not feel as quick.
- No fresh Windows features: The app won’t make use of the latest Windows 11 options. It looks and acts just like the website, with minimal desktop integration.
How to Tell If You’re Using the New Version
If WhatsApp for Windows 11 shows multiple “WebView2” processes in Task Manager and feels like using the web version, you’re on the new Chromium wrapper.
This change frustrates many power users and those who value efficiency. For the best WhatsApp experience on Windows, previous native versions were more reliable and less resource-hungry. Now, the sacrifice is clear: fewer unique Windows features, more memory consumed, and a slower, less polished experience.