Windows Ribbon Framework

The Windows Ribbon (Ribbon) framework is a rich command presentation system that provides a modern alternative to the layered menus, toolbars, and task panes of traditional Windows applications. Similar in functionality and appearance to the Microsoft Office 2007 Fluent user interface, the Ribbon framework is composed of a ribbon command bar that exposes the major features of an application through a series of tabs at the top of an application window, and a context menu system.

The Windows Ribbon framework is designed for use by C/C++ developers and user interface (UI) designers.

Recommended proficiencies:

COM programming
Windows API programming
XML/XAML programming

Recommended foundational knowledge:

UI programming concepts
General UI concepts

Minimum Requirements

Minimum supported client	Windows 7 Windows Vista with Service Pack 2 (SP2) and Platform Update for Windows Vista
Minimum supported server	Windows Server 2008 R2 Windows Server 2008 with SP2 and Platform Update for Windows Server 2008
Windows Software Development Kit (SDK)	7.0
Header and IDL files	uiribbon.h, uiribbon.idl

Note The Platform Update for Windows Vista and Platform Update for Windows Server 2008 are sets of run-time libraries that enable developers to target Windows Ribbon applications to both Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. The platform updates will be available to all Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 customers through Windows Update. Third-party applications that require Platform Update for Windows Vista or Platform Update for Windows Server 2008 can have Windows Update detect whether the required updated is installed; if it is not, Windows Update will download and install it in the background.

See Also

Component Object Model (COM)

Windows API

XAML