Microsoft Open-Sources Windows Calculator on GitHub

Microsoft has open-sourced the Windows Calculator, one of the most iconic elements of Windows. Microsoft has released the Windows Calculator source code and roadmap on GitHub. And it’s encouraging developers to participate in the development of Calculator.

The Calculator has been a part of Windows since the beginning. And while the version that graces Windows 10 is more capable than the version which graced Windows 1.0, it’s basically the same core program most of us will have used at some point in our lives.

Windows Calculator Is Now Available on GitHub

Now, as revealed on the Windows Developer Blog, Microsoft has released the source code and more on GitHub. Microsoft has released Windows Calculator under the MIT license for “clone-and-go” development projects that follow the standard GitHub flow.

Microsoft is inviting developers to use the Windows Calculator code in their own apps. It’s also inviting developers to contribute to the future direction of Windows Calculator itself by participating in discussions, as well as suggesting and prototyping new features.

Announcing the Open Sourcing of Windows Calculator https://t.co/e0vKPjhxkQ

— Windows Blogs (@windowsblog) March 6, 2019

As well as adapting the code and contributing ideas, Microsoft sees this as “a great way to learn about the latest Microsoft technologies like the Universal Windows Platform, XAML, and Azure Pipelines. You can find the project here, and the documentation here.

Microsoft says it’s goal here is “to build an even better user experience in partnership with the community.” And with that in mind, the company is “encouraging your fresh perspectives and increased participation to help define the future of Calculator”.

Microsoft Embraces the Open-Source Community

This isn’t the first tool Microsoft has handed to the open-source community, and it’s unlikely to be the last. The company was, for many years, known for its outright opposition to open-sourcing anything, but in recent years it has embraced the community.

Microsoft’s embrace of the open-source community led to Microsoft joining the Open Invention Network (OIN) in 2018. And in doing so, Microsoft contributed 60,000 patents to the cause. Which should help protect Linux from patent lawsuits.

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