If you’re someone who uses WhatsApp on a Windows laptop or desktop, there’s a significant change you should know about. Meta has officially discontinued the native WhatsApp app for Windows and is replacing it with a web-based alternative built on Microsoft’s WebView2 technology.
What’s changing?
The traditional WhatsApp Windows app is being phased out. Instead, the new version redirects users to a web interface – effectively running WhatsApp Web inside a desktop wrapper powered by Microsoft Edge. While essential features like Channels, Communities, and Status will remain accessible, users must keep Microsoft Edge updated for the app to function properly.
Why the shift?
According to Meta, this move will help maintain feature parity across all platforms, enabling quicker and more uniform updates. However, a report by Windows Latest highlights a downside: the new version consumes around 30% more RAM than the native app, which could lead to performance issues—especially on older PCs or low-RAM systems.
What should users do?
- If your system has sufficient RAM, you can continue using the new beta version without major slowdowns.
- For users with limited memory, using WhatsApp Web directly through a browser remains the best option.
- Ensure Microsoft Edge is always updated if you use the new version.
This change could potentially affect up to 1.4 billion Windows users worldwide. Stay tuned to PassionateGeekz.com for more updates on major tech transitions like this one.