What's the current way of programming Windows?

I'm a seasoned programmer on Mac/Linux/iOS, and want to get into Windows application programming. Problem is, every time I try, Microsoft comes in a week later and discontinues the current framework in favor of something else. Because I need to use a C++ library, I started with C++/CX, just to be told C++/WinRT was the way to go etc.

I've lost track of what the current one is now and what has been discontinued, and can't for the life of me find recent information on the web.

Anyone here know where I can find info on what's the current one? It seems C# is still the main language, but what UI framework does one use? It used to be UWP, but now it seems WPF is back ... ?

My constraints are: I'm making Windows desktop applications, I need to be able to call into C++, and I want it to look like a modern application. I also need to create my UI from code (based on files provided by the user), not from XAML files.