Microsoft.NET Lifecycle: End Of Life And Support Status

February 15, 2024

.NET is a free, open-source, and cross-platform programming platform created by Microsoft. It is not to be confused with .NET Framework, which is a subsidiary of .NET.

The .NET platform can be used to create applications for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. It hosts a number of editors, programming languages, and libraries for developers to maximize their productivity using a single platform.

Like all software, .NET must also reach its End of Life after a certain time. However, Microsoft initially did not predefine the duration for when the .NET version will be supported. But after .NET 3.1, Microsoft releases a new .NET version each year in November and will be supported for the next 3 years.

That said, there is no Extended or Security support for .NET- only the 3-year-long Active support.

You can find more information on .NET End of Life on the official .NET support page.

Support status guide

End of life (EOL) is the end of a product’s useful life. When a product reaches the end of its life cycle, the manufacturer no longer supports it. The following table explains the different phases of a product’s lifecycle. Testing status is when the product is initially released and EOL is when product support is no longer offered. The time between these two points is the support timeframe.

Testing

The software is not yet publicly available. It is in testing phase i.e., alpha, beta, release preview etc.

Active

The software is actively supported by the vendor.

Phasing Out

The software will soon reach its end of life. You need to look for upgrade or migration options. The software will automatically go into phasing out status 2 months before end of life.

End Of Life

The software is no longer supported by the vendor. You need to make sure your system and environment are safe.

.NET

Version

Released

Active Support

Microsoft .NET 9
In 8 months
(7 November 2024)
Ends in 2 years and 2 months
(13 May 2026)
Microsoft .NET 8
3 months and 3 weeks ago
(14 November 2023)
Supported
Microsoft .NET 7
1 year and 3 months ago
(8 November 2022)
Ends in 2 months and 1 week
(14 May 2024)
Microsoft .NET 6
2 years and 3 months ago
(8 November 2021)
Ends in 8 months and 5 days
(12 November 2024)
Microsoft .NET 5
3 years and 3 months ago
(10 November 2020)
Ended 1 year and 9 months ago
(8 May 2022)
Microsoft .NET Core 3.1
4 years and 3 months ago
(3 December 2019)
Ended 1 year and 2 months ago
(13 December 2022)

Version

Released

Active Support

.NET Framework 4.8.1
1 year and 6 months ago
(20 August 2022)
Supported
.NET Framework 4.8
4 years and 10 months ago
(18 April 2019)
Supported
.NET Framework 4.7.2
5 years and 10 months ago
(30 April 2018)
Supported
.NET Framework 4.7
6 years and 11 months ago
(5 April 2017)
Supported
.NET Framework 4.6.2
7 years and 7 months ago
(2 August 2016)
Ends in 2 years and 10 months
(12 January 2027)
.NET Framework 4.6.1
8 years and 3 months ago
(30 November 2015)
Ended 1 year and 10 months ago
(26 April 2022)
.NET Framework 4.6
8 years and 7 months ago
(20 July 2015)
Ended 1 year and 10 months ago
(26 April 2022)
.NET Framework 4.5
11 years and 6 months ago
(15 August 2012)
Ended 8 years and 1 month ago
(12 January 2016)
.NET Framework 4
13 years and 10 months ago
(12 April 2010)
Ended 8 years and 1 month ago
(12 January 2016)
.NET Framework 3.5
16 years and 3 months ago
(19 November 2007)
Ends in 4 years and 10 months
(9 January 2029)
.NET Framework 3
17 years and 4 months ago
(6 November 2006)
Ended 12 years and 7 months ago
(12 July 2011)
.NET Framework 2
18 years and 4 months ago
(27 October 2005)
Ended 12 years and 7 months ago
(11 July 2011)
.NET Framework 1
22 years and 1 month ago
(15 January 2002)
Ended 16 years and 7 months ago
(10 July 2007)