Microsoft has officially designated Rust as a Tier-1 programming language, placing it alongside C++, C#, and TypeScript within the company. This internal classification means that Microsoft development teams no longer need to build their own Rust environments, as the company now provides a standardized pipeline for coding, testing, and maintenance.
The company has introduced the rustc_codegen_utc project to improve interoperability between Rust and C++. This tool allows the Rust compiler to connect directly to the MSVC backend used by Windows. It enables shared infrastructure for projects using both languages, supporting features like debugging, performance analysis, and crash dump diagnostics.
The rustc_codegen_utc project is already production-ready as of early 2026 and supports self-compilation starting from Rust version 1.90. Currently, over 100 Microsoft project codebases utilize this backend. Microsoft plans to integrate Rust across the entire software lifecycle, including firmware, kernel development, and cloud services.
While Rust is gaining prominence, Microsoft confirmed that it will continue to use C++ alongside Rust for the foreseeable future, particularly in large-scale projects like Windows. The company has also established secure software supply chain processes for Rust, integrating it into existing compliance and quality systems.
