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Distributing WebView2 Runtime

The underlying engine of the WebBrowesr control is Microsoft Edge WebView2. When the WebBrowser control is used in your PowerBuilder application, you need to distribute the WebView2 Runtime with your application. WebView2 Runtime supports two distribution modes: Evergreen Runtime and Fixed Version.

Which distribution mode to use

For the detailed information about the pros and cons of the WebView2 Evergreen Runtime and Fixed Version distribution modes, refer to Microsoft documentation Distribute your app and the WebView2 Runtime. This section highlights the main factors that shall be considered.

  • Evergreen Runtime

    1. The Evergreen Runtime distribution mode ensures that WebView2 Runtime is taking advantage of the latest features and security updates.

    2. The Evergreen Runtime requires persistent Internet connection for automatic installation and updates.

    3. In Windows 11 or later, the Evergreen Runtime is included as part of the Windows operating system; and it is updated automatically (when Internet connection is available). In Windows 10 or earlier, the Evergreen Runtime should be first installed using an online bootstrapper or an offline installer and then it will get updated automatically when Internet connection is available.

  • Fixed Version Runtime

    1. The Fixed Version Runtime will not be automatically updated. It requires you to manage the update: either keep using the existing version or periodically update the version that is packaged and installed with the PowerBuilder application

    2. To distribute a fixed version of the runtime, because the Fixed Version runtime cannot be installed by using an installer, you will need to download and install the latest available version of the Fixed Version to the specified location so that it can be automatically packaged with the PowerBuilder application

How to configure the distribution mode

To configure how to distribute the WebView2 Runtime with the application, use one of the following ways:

  • Method #1: Configure the distribution mode in the application script.

  • Method #2: Configure the distribution mode in the PowerBuilder IDE.

The runtime mode specified in the application script has precedence over the runtime mode selected in the PowerBuilder IDE

Method #1: Configure the WebView2 Runtime distribution mode in the application script

In the application Open event, call the WebBrowserSet function to set the distribution mode: 

long ll_Ret
ll_Ret = WebBrowserSet ("RuntimeMode", 0) //0: Evergreen Runtime, 1: Fixed Version, 2: Fixed Version only if Evergreen runtime is not available

Method #2: Configure the WebView2 Runtime distribution mode in the PowerBuilder IDE

In the Application painter, click Additional Properties on the General tab page in the Properties view; and then in the Application properties dialog box that displays, select the WebBrowser tab.


  • Always use the Evergreen Runtime at the client

    This option is selected by default. When this option is selected, the Evergreen Runtime that is installed and updated on Windows will be used. If the client has no Evergreen Runtime installed, the client will be prompted to install the Evergreen Runtime from the URL which is specified in the "WebView2 Runtime Download URL" field.

  • Always use the Fixed Version at the client

    When this option is selected, the Fixed Version must be packaged with your PowerBuilder application and then installed to the client.

    You will need to download and install a version of the WebView2 Runtime (from https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/webview2/) to the location specified in the "WebView2 Runtime Fixed Version" group, so that it will be automatically packaged and installed with the PowerBuilder application.

  • Use the Evergreen Runtime by default; if it does not exist, use the Fixed Version

    The Evergreen WebView2 Runtime will be used by default, but if it does not exist, the Fixed Version Runtime will be used.

Packaging and distributing WebView2 Runtime

For how to package and distribute WebView2 Runtime in PowerBuilder WebBrowser control, refer to the section called Packaging WebBrowser.

Where to get the WebView2 Runtime Fixed Version at the client

Applications that use the WebView2 Runtime Fixed Version will search for the WebView2 runtime files in the following precedence order.

  • The precedence order in the development environment

    1. The path specified in FixedVersionRuntimePath of the WebBrowserSet function.

    2. The directory where the application executable file is located.

    3. The PowerBuilder Runtime directory under the build number selected in the PowerBuilder IDE > Tools menu > System Options dialog.

  • The precedence order in the production environment

    1. The path specified in FixedVersionRuntimePath of the WebBrowserSet function.

    2. The directory where the application executable file is located.

    3. The PowerBuilder Runtime directory specified in the configuration file (executable-name.xml).

    4. The PowerBuilder Runtime directory stored in the system registry.

    5. The PowerBuilder Runtime directory specified in the PATH environment variable (if any)

How to write PowerScripts to check if Evergreen Runtime is installed

You can add the following scripts to the Application Open event to check if the WebView2 Evergreen Runtime has been installed on the client.

If Evergreen Runtime is not installed, the end user will be prompted and the Web browser will be open to display the download page. 

Integer ll_Return
string ls_location, ls_path_64bit, ls_path_user, ls_path_32bit, ls_Url

ls_path_64bit = "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate\Clients\{F3017226-FE2A-4295-8BDF-00C3A9A7E4C5}"
ls_path_user = "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate\Clients\{F3017226-FE2A-4295-8BDF-00C3A9A7E4C5}"
ls_path_32bit = "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate\Clients\{F3017226-FE2A-4295-8BDF-00C3A9A7E4C5}"
ls_Url = "https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/webview2/"

//64 OS
ll_Return = RegistryGet( ls_path_64bit, "location", RegString!, ls_location)
//user(64 & 32)
If ll_Return <> 1 Then
              ll_Return = RegistryGet( ls_path_user, "location", RegString!, ls_location)
End If
//32 OS
If ll_Return <> 1 Then
              ll_Return = RegistryGet( ls_path_32bit, "location", RegString!, ls_location)
End If

//ls_location = C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\EdgeWebView\Application
If Pos(ls_location, "EdgeWebView" ) <= 0 Then
              If MessageBox("WebView2 Runtime not installed", &
                             "Install the WebView2 Runtime from the following URL：~r~n" + ls_Url + "~r~nInstall now?", Question!, YesNo!, 2) = 1 Then
                             
                             //Open the URL in the defautlt browser
                             OpenUrl(ls_Url)
                             
              End If
              Return
End If
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