WinAppDriver

WinAppDriver is short for Windows Application Driver. It's a handy desktop app for anyone who needs to work on automation projects, whether they're big or small, right on their Windows computer.

What Makes WinAppDriver Unique?

You might not hear about WinAppDriver as much as other automation tools. That's because it’s usually used for specific types of tasks that don't get as much attention, like desktop testing compared to online or mobile testing. But don't let that fool you! It has its own set of strengths.

A Bit of Background

So, here’s the deal: WinAppDriver is built on Appium, which is mainly known for mobile and web applications. Think of it as a tool similar to Selenium but made especially for Windows apps. The folks who created this wanted to combine two powerful ideas: CodedUI's tech and the flexibility of Selenium.

The Challenge of Desktop Testing

Testing apps on your desktop can be tricky compared to web or mobile tests. You need more flexibility when figuring out how to interact with common user interfaces. That’s why WinAppDriver offers a variety of tools to help make this easier!

Supported Platforms

This framework can test different types of applications: Universal Windows Platform (UWP), Windows Forms (WinForms), Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), and Classic Windows (Win32) apps.

System Requirements

The catch? WinAppDriver only works on Windows 10. When you install it, it creates a folder at C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Application Driver. Before you use it, make sure your PC has Developer Mode turned on in the Windows Settings.

Getting Started with Testing

Once you've set everything up, you're ready to start testing! You can either dive right into using the tool or try out some sample tests available on the GitHub page. There you'll find both sample data and tests that can help kick things off!