Desktop software development begins by selecting an appropriate platform strategy: native (Windows/macOS/Linux), cross-platform frameworks, and the distribution method. A clearly defined MVP and an early prototype help confirm workflows, performance requirements, and the overall UX on real devices.

As the product evolves, reliability, updates, and packaging take center stage. Thoughtful management of file systems, permissions, offline capabilities, and integrations (device APIs, peripherals, enterprise authentication) ensures the application performs reliably in everyday use, while an update system and crash analytics ease long-term maintenance.