Rust Takes Center Stage: Microsoft's Decade-Long C++ Switch Strategy

Microsoft is charting an ambitious course to overhaul its software architecture over the next seven years. By 2030, the tech giant plans to phase out all C and C++ code from its major systems, replacing the legacy languages with Rust—a memory-safe alternative designed to prevent entire categories of security vulnerabilities.

The Mastermind Behind the Shift

Galen Hunt, a distinguished engineer at Microsoft, revealed that the company isn’t simply hoping to gradually migrate away from C and C++. Instead, Microsoft is building sophisticated infrastructure to execute this transformation at scale. The strategy hinges on AI-powered agents and algorithm-driven tooling capable of automatically refactoring millions of lines of code simultaneously, making the C++ switch feasible across sprawling codebases.

From Windows Kernel to Enterprise Systems

The momentum for this transition gained traction when Azure CTO Mark Russinovich made a decisive call in 2023: all new projects would adopt Rust, while existing C and C++ work would face scrutiny. Following this mandate, Microsoft began rewriting critical portions of the Windows kernel in Rust. By earlier this year, Russinovich confirmed the company’s unwavering commitment, noting that Rust usage had expanded throughout core infrastructure.

Large Language Models Accelerate the Migration

Rather than relying solely on manual code translation, Microsoft is leveraging large language models to automate the conversion process. This approach drastically reduces the time and resources required to execute the sweeping C++ switch across thousands of files. The company is actively recruiting a principal software engineer with deep expertise in systems-level Rust development—preferably someone with experience in compilers, databases, or operating systems.

Broader Implications for the Industry

This initiative lives within Microsoft’s Future of Scalable Software Engineering group under CoreAI. The team’s broader mission extends beyond internal modernization: they aim to develop reusable tools and methodologies that help both Microsoft and external customers eliminate technical debt at enterprise scale, potentially reshaping industry practices around code maintenance and language adoption.

The strategic pivot underscores a growing industry consensus that memory-safe languages like Rust offer compelling advantages for systems programming, particularly in reducing security incidents tied to memory management errors—a shift that could redefine how major technology companies approach their software portfolios over the next decade.