MFC review
A Windows-only C++ framework with Win32 and COM wrappers and established desktop features.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
MFC gives C++ developers a framework for building native Windows desktop applications. Its object-oriented classes wrap much of the Win32 and COM APIs and cover windows, menus, dialog boxes, and controls. The framework also supports document/view application architecture, serialization to and from persistent storage, printing, and print preview. It is a fit for teams maintaining or creating Windows-focused applications that want these framework facilities within a Visual Studio development workflow, rather than a cross-platform desktop toolkit.
The framework’s scope is deliberately Windows-specific: its listed target is Windows, and its deployment focus is desktop. Visual Studio’s MFC Application Wizard can generate starter projects, while MFC itself is an optional component of the C++ desktop development workload. This makes Visual Studio the relevant ecosystem for teams considering it. The listed capabilities are centered on native application structure and common interface elements; teams looking for mobile targets or a broader cross-platform UI stack should consider an alternative.
MFC is free, and Microsoft says the library remains supported. That support comes with an important lifecycle qualification: Microsoft is no longer adding features or updating the documentation. Teams choosing MFC should therefore weigh its established Windows-focused wrappers and document/view, serialization, and printing support against the absence of new feature development and documentation updates. It makes the most sense for Windows C++ teams whose requirements align with its existing capabilities, especially when working in Visual Studio; it is a weaker choice for projects that need active feature expansion, current documentation updates, or targets beyond Windows desktop.
MFC pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Wraps Win32 and COM APIs with object-oriented classes
- Includes document/view architecture, serialization, and printing
- Visual Studio wizard generates starter projects
- Where it doesn't
- Targets Windows desktop applications only
- Microsoft says it is no longer adding features
- Documentation is no longer being updated
MFC fact sheet, pricing and score →
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