.NET Releases
Track .NET releases including LTS and STS versions. EOL dates, upgrade paths, and migration guidance from .NET Framework to modern .NET.
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Total Versions
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Supported
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Latest
Version Timeline
All tracked releases with lifecycle status and EOL dates.
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Lifecycle Timeline
Visual overview of active support and maintenance windows.
Upgrade Paths
Migration guidance between major versions — breaking changes, effort estimates, and tips.
Breaking Changes
- JsonSerializerOptions defaults changed
- Some obsolete APIs removed
- Cryptographic algorithm updates
Migration Notes
Straightforward upgrade. .NET 9 is STS (extended to 24 months). Update target framework in csproj. Run tests focusing on serialization if you use System.Text.Json.
Breaking Changes
- Target framework change
- Some API deprecations from 9
- New default behaviors
Migration Notes
Recommended LTS-to-LTS path. Skip .NET 9 and go directly to 10 for longest support window (3 years). Use .NET Upgrade Assistant for automated migration.
Version Risk Assessment
Evaluate risk factors before choosing a version for production.
| Version | EOL Risk | CVE Risk | Ecosystem | Cloud Support | Overall | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| .NET 6 | Critical | High | EOL | Dropped | Critical | EOL Nov 2024. Migrate to 8 or 10. |
| .NET 7 | Critical | High | EOL | Dropped | Critical | EOL May 2024. Migrate to 8 or 10. |
| .NET 8 | Medium | Low | Active | Full | Medium | LTS until Nov 2026. Start planning 10 upgrade. |
| .NET 9 | Low | Low | Active | Full | Low | Extended STS until Nov 2026. Upgrade to 10 when ready. |
| .NET 10 | None | Low | Active | Full | Low | Latest LTS. Recommended for all projects. |
Microsoft has a clear support lifecycle: LTS = 3 years, STS = 18-24 months. Running unsupported .NET versions means no security patches. Azure and other cloud platforms may force-upgrade unsupported runtimes.
.NET Version Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature differences across major versions.
| Feature | 8 LTS | 9 STS | 10 LTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Support type | LTS (3yr) | STS (24mo) | LTS (3yr) |
| Native AOT | Expanded | Improved | Full |
| Blazor | Full stack | Enhanced | Enhanced |
| LINQ improvements | Minor | New methods | Extended |
| JSON serialization | STJ improvements | New defaults | Stable |
| Container support | Good | Better | Best |
| Minimal APIs | Stable | Enhanced | Mature |
| Hot reload | Good | Better | Best |
| Performance vs 8 | Baseline | +5-15% | +10-20% |
Embed Badges
Add live .NET status badges to your README, docs, or dashboard.
Health Status
Overall support health
EOL Countdown
Next end-of-life date
Latest Version
Current stable release
CVE Status
Known vulnerabilities
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about .NET releases and lifecycle.