TypeLoadException: "Types from custom Windows Runtime components are not supported in desktop applications"

Question

When trying to use a custom Windows Runtime component in a desktop application, a TypeLoadException is thrown.
Why aren't custom Windows Runtime components supported in desktop applications? Is this something that will change in the future?
Thanks,
Tom
luck favours the prepared

Answer 1

If you are targeting the .NET Framework 4.5 you could try to add a <PropertyGroup> element to your project file and a reference to the WinMD file as described here:
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/12136585/using-custom-windows-runtime-components-in-non-metro-applications
Thefull list of the WinRT classes that are available to desktop apps is available here:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/hh920511%28v=vs.85%29.aspx#windows_runtime_classes
Please refer to the following links for more information:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/jj651570.aspx
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/12745703/how-can-i-use-the-windows-ui-namespace-from-a-regular-non-store-win32-net-app
https://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/using-winrt-apis-from-desktop-applications
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