.NET Framework End of Life: Supported Versions and Dates
.NET Framework 4.6.2, 4.7, 4.7.1, 4.7.2, 4.8 and 4.8.1 are supported today, along with 3.5 SP1. .NET Framework 4.6.2 ends on 12 January 2027, and 3.5 SP1 ends on 9 January 2029. Versions 4.7 to 4.8.1 have no fixed end date.
No date yet
.NET Framework 4.8.1 has no announced end-of-support date yet, and Microsoft hasn't published one.
That is because .NET Framework 4.5.2 and later is a component of Windows. It gets the same support as the Windows version it is installed on. As long as that Windows version is supported, these .NET Framework versions are supported too. Microsoft says 4.8.1 is the latest version and will keep shipping with future Windows releases.
Versions 4.5.2, 4.6 and 4.6.1 ended early, on 26 April 2022, because they were signed with SHA-1 certificates. Versions 4.5.1 and older ended on 12 January 2016 or earlier.
.NET Framework 3.5 SP1 is a standalone product on Windows 10 version 1809, Windows Server 2019 and later, supported until 9 January 2029. On older Windows versions it follows that OS's lifecycle.
Microsoft .NET Framework support dates
| Version | Released | Mainstream support | Support ends | Time left | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| .NET Framework 4.8.1 | – | – | – | No end date announced | |
| .NET Framework 4.8 | – | – | – | No end date announced | |
| .NET Framework 4.7.2 | – | – | – | No end date announced | |
| .NET Framework 4.7.1 | – | – | – | No end date announced | |
| .NET Framework 4.7 | – | – | – | No end date announced | |
| .NET Framework 4.6.2 | – | Official[1] | 2 mo left | Ending within a year | |
| .NET Framework 4.6.1 | – | Official[1] | Ended | Unsupported | |
| .NET Framework 4.6 | – | Official[1] | Ended | Unsupported | |
| .NET Framework 4.5.2 | – | Official[1] | Ended | Unsupported | |
| .NET Framework 4.5.1 | – | Official[2] | Ended | Unsupported | |
| .NET Framework 4.5 | – | Official[1] | Ended | Unsupported | |
| .NET Framework 4 | – | Official[1] | Ended | Unsupported | |
| .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 | – | Official[1] | 2 yr 1 mo left | Supported | |
| .NET Framework 3 | – | Ended | Unsupported | ||
| .NET Framework 2 | Ended | Unsupported | |||
| .NET Framework 1 | Ended | Unsupported |
Official published by the vendor · Confirmed observed (for example, patches stopped) · Estimated our forecast, with the rule stated · How we date things
Timeline
Mainstream supportSupport endsExtended supportEstimatedEnded
What happens when support ends
Will it still run?
Apps built for that version keep running. Newer 4.x versions replace older 4.x versions in place, and most apps built for 4.x run on 4.8.1.
Will it get security fixes?
Microsoft stops releasing security and reliability updates for that version. Security fixes for .NET Framework 4.x come through Windows Update for the supported versions only.
What stops working?
Microsoft won't give technical support for that version. For 4.5.2, 4.6 and 4.6.1, Microsoft said security fixes, updates and technical support would no longer be provided after 26 April 2022.
What are my options?
- Install .NET Framework 4.8 or 4.8.1, which are in-place updates for any 4.x app.
- Keep Windows itself on a supported version, because 4.x support depends on it.
- For new development, consider modern .NET (for example .NET 8 or .NET 10), which has its own lifecycle.
What to do
To check which 4.x version you have, open Registry Editor and read the Release value under HKLMSOFTWAREMicrosoftNET Framework SetupNDPv4Full. A value of 533320 or higher means 4.8.1, and 528040 or higher means 4.8. To upgrade, install .NET Framework 4.8.1 (or 4.8 on Windows versions that do not support 4.8.1) from Microsoft.
Microsoft .NET Framework versions: end of support, one by one
.NET Framework 4.8.1 end of life No end date announced
.NET Framework 4.8.1 has no announced end-of-support date yet, and Microsoft hasn't published one. Latest .NET Framework version. No fixed end date. Since 4.5.2, .NET Framework is a Windows component, so this version is supported for as long as it is installed on a supported version of Windows. Microsoft says 4.8.1 will keep shipping with future Windows releases.
.NET Framework 4.8 end of life No end date announced
.NET Framework 4.8 has no announced end-of-support date yet, and Microsoft hasn't published one. No fixed end date. Since 4.5.2, .NET Framework is a Windows component, so this version is supported for as long as it is installed on a supported version of Windows.
.NET Framework 4.7.2 end of life No end date announced
.NET Framework 4.7.2 has no announced end-of-support date yet, and Microsoft hasn't published one. No fixed end date. Since 4.5.2, .NET Framework is a Windows component, so this version is supported for as long as it is installed on a supported version of Windows.
.NET Framework 4.7.1 end of life No end date announced
.NET Framework 4.7.1 has no announced end-of-support date yet, and Microsoft hasn't published one. No fixed end date. Since 4.5.2, .NET Framework is a Windows component, so this version is supported for as long as it is installed on a supported version of Windows.
.NET Framework 4.7 end of life No end date announced
.NET Framework 4.7 has no announced end-of-support date yet, and Microsoft hasn't published one. No fixed end date. Since 4.5.2, .NET Framework is a Windows component, so this version is supported for as long as it is installed on a supported version of Windows.
.NET Framework 4.6.2 end of life Ending within a year
.NET Framework 4.6.2 gets security updates until 12 Jan 2027 (2 mo left). That is less than a year away. The only 4.6.x version still supported. Microsoft gives a fixed end date of 12 January 2027, the same day Windows Server 2016 extended support ends. Move to 4.8 or 4.8.1.
.NET Framework 4.6.1 end of life Unsupported
.NET Framework 4.6.1 stopped getting security updates on 26 Apr 2022 and is no longer supported. Retired early on 26 April 2022, together with 4.5.2 and 4.6/4.6.1, because these releases were signed with SHA-1 certificates.
.NET Framework 4.6 end of life Unsupported
.NET Framework 4.6 stopped getting security updates on 26 Apr 2022 and is no longer supported. Retired early on 26 April 2022, together with 4.5.2 and 4.6/4.6.1, because these releases were signed with SHA-1 certificates.
.NET Framework 4.5.2 end of life Unsupported
.NET Framework 4.5.2 stopped getting security updates on 26 Apr 2022 and is no longer supported. Retired early on 26 April 2022, together with 4.6 and 4.6.1, because these releases were signed with SHA-1 certificates.
.NET Framework 4.5.1 end of life Unsupported
.NET Framework 4.5.1 stopped getting security updates on 12 Jan 2016 and is no longer supported.
.NET Framework 4.5 end of life Unsupported
.NET Framework 4.5 stopped getting security updates on 12 Jan 2016 and is no longer supported.
.NET Framework 4 end of life Unsupported
.NET Framework 4 stopped getting security updates on 12 Jan 2016 and is no longer supported.
.NET Framework 3.5 SP1 end of life Supported
.NET Framework 3.5 SP1 gets security updates until 9 Jan 2029 (2 yr 1 mo left). A standalone product under the Fixed Lifecycle Policy on Windows 10 version 1809, Windows Server 2019 and later, supported until 9 January 2029. On older Windows versions it is a component of the OS and follows that OS's lifecycle.
.NET Framework 3 end of life Unsupported
.NET Framework 3 stopped getting security updates on 12 Jul 2011 and is no longer supported.
.NET Framework 2 end of life Unsupported
.NET Framework 2 stopped getting security updates on 12 Apr 2016 and is no longer supported.
.NET Framework 1 end of life Unsupported
.NET Framework 1 stopped getting security updates on 14 Jul 2009 and is no longer supported.
For businesses and auditors
Paste this into a risk register, an audit response or an insurance questionnaire. It updates with the version picked above.
As of 12 Nov 2026: .NET Framework 4.8.1 has no announced end-of-support date yet, and Microsoft hasn't published one. Source: https://www.itechtics.com/eol/dotnetfx/, verified 11 Nov 2026.Get Microsoft .NET Framework end-of-life alerts
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Microsoft support policy
.NET Framework follows Microsoft's Component Lifecycle Policy. From 4.5.2 onward, each version is supported for as long as it is installed on a supported Windows version. .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 has its own fixed end date of 9 January 2029 on Windows 10 version 1809, Windows Server 2019 and later.
What changed
- .NET Framework 4.5.1 · Name: (empty) → .NET Framework 4.5.1
- .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 · Name: .NET Framework 3.5 → .NET Framework 3.5 SP1
- .NET Framework 4.5.2 · Name: (empty) → .NET Framework 4.5.2
Frequently asked questions
Which Microsoft .NET Framework versions are still supported?
As of 12 Nov 2026, these Microsoft .NET Framework versions get security updates: .NET Framework 4.6.2, .NET Framework 3.5 SP1.
When does .NET Framework 4.8.1 support end?
.NET Framework 4.8.1 has no announced end-of-support date yet, and Microsoft hasn't published one.
What happens when Microsoft .NET Framework reaches end of life?
Apps built for that version keep running. Newer 4.x versions replace older 4.x versions in place, and most apps built for 4.x run on 4.8.1. Microsoft stops releasing security and reliability updates for that version. Security fixes for .NET Framework 4.x come through Windows Update for the supported versions only.
Is .NET Framework 4.8 still supported?
Yes. It has no fixed end date. It is supported for as long as it runs on a supported version of Windows.
When does .NET Framework 4.6.2 reach end of support?
On 12 January 2027. Move to 4.8 or 4.8.1 before then.
When did .NET Framework 4.5.2, 4.6 and 4.6.1 end?
On 26 April 2022. Microsoft retired them early because they were signed with SHA-1 certificates.
How long is .NET Framework 3.5 supported?
Until 9 January 2029 on Windows 10 version 1809, Windows Server 2019 and later. On older Windows it follows the OS lifecycle.
Is .NET Framework being discontinued?
Microsoft has not announced an end date for 4.8.1. It says 4.8.1 will keep being distributed with future Windows releases.
Sources and method
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/microsoft-net-framework
- dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/platform/support/policy/dotnet-framework
- .NET Framework lifecycle
- .NET Framework support policy
- Lifecycle FAQ - .NET Framework
- 4.5.2, 4.6 and 4.6.1 retirement
Dates come from the vendor's own lifecycle pages wherever they exist and are checked against them on a schedule. A date is Official when the vendor publishes it, Confirmed when we have seen the updates stop, and Estimated when the vendor publishes nothing and we forecast it from their past behaviour. The rule is shown next to every estimate. Status and time left are worked out from today's date.
Spotted a wrong date? Tell us and include the source.