The following is a list of the reference content for the Windows
application programming interface (API) for desktop and server
applications.
Using the Windows API, you can develop applications that run
successfully on all versions of Windows while taking advantage of
the features and capabilities unique to each version. (Note that
this was formerly called the Win32 API. The name Windows API more
accurately reflects its roots in 16-bit Windows and its support on
64-bit Windows.)
User Interface
The Windows UI API create and use windows to display output,
prompt for user input, and carry out the other tasks that support
interaction with the user. Most applications create at least one
window.
Windows Environment (Shell)
User Input and Messaging
Data access and storage
Diagnostics
The
Diagnostics API enable you to troubleshoot application or system
problems and monitor performance.
Graphics and Multimedia
The
Graphics, multimedia, audio,
and video APIs enable applications to incorporate formatted
text, graphics, audio, and video.
Devices
System Services
The
System Services APIs give applications access to the resources
of the computer and the features of the underlying operating system,
such as memory, file systems, devices, processes, and threads.
Security and Identity
The
Security and Identity APIs enable password authentication at
logon, discretionary protection for all sharable system objects,
privileged access control, rights management, and security auditing.
Application
Installation and Servicing
System Admin and Management
The
System administration interfaces enable you to install,
configure, and service applications or systems.
Networking and Internet
The
Networking APIs enable communication between applications over a
network. You can also create and manage access to shared resources,
such as directories and network printers.
Deprecated or legacy APIs
The following are technologies and APIs that are outdated or have
been replaced or deprecated from the Windows client and server
operating systems.
