.NET FAQ
Common questions about .NET version support, upgrades, end-of-life dates, and migration paths.
The latest stable version of .NET is 10.0.3. There are currently 3 actively supported versions and 10 versions that have reached end of life. Visit the .NET Version Tracker on ReleaseRun for a complete breakdown of all versions, including release dates, support timelines, and end-of-life dates.
LTS (Long Term Support) versions receive 3 years of support. STS (Standard Term Support, formerly 'Current') versions receive 18 months. Even-numbered releases (.NET 6, 8, 10) are LTS. Odd-numbered releases (.NET 7, 9) are STS. For production workloads with slow upgrade cycles, use LTS.
.NET Framework 4.8.1 is the final version and receives security-only updates as part of Windows. No new features will be added. Microsoft recommends migrating to .NET (formerly .NET Core) for new development. The .NET Upgrade Assistant tool helps automate the migration from .NET Framework to modern .NET.
Use the .NET Upgrade Assistant (dotnet tool install -g upgrade-assistant). Start by porting libraries, then move to applications. Port to .NET Standard 2.0 first as an intermediate step if needed. The biggest challenges are usually Windows-only APIs (WCF, Windows Forms) and third-party library compatibility. Plan for incremental migration rather than big-bang rewrites.
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