Microsoft® Windows® HTTP Services (WinHTTP) provides developers with a server-supported, high-level interface to the HTTP/1.1 Internet protocol. WinHTTP is designed to be used primarily in server-based scenarios by server applications that communicate with HTTP servers. WinHTTP is also designed for use in system services and HTTP-based client applications. WinHTTP is more secure and robust than WinInet. However, single-user applications that need FTP or gopher functionality, cookie persistence, caching, automatic credential dialog handling, Internet Explorer compatibility, or downlevel platform support should still consider using WinInet.
This interface is accessible from C/C++ by using either the WinHTTP application programming interface (API), or by using the IWinHttpRequest and IWinHttpRequestEvents interfaces. WinHTTP is also accessible from script and Microsoft Visual Basic through the WinHTTP object. For descriptions of the individual functions, see the WinHTTP functions reference for the specific language.