.NET Framework 2.0 Support Ending

Extended support for the .NET Framework 2.0 ends on Apr. 12, 2016. This support policy applies to the stand-alone distributable of version 2.0 (the set of files installed alongside application code to enable .NET services). Organizations will need to assess what versions of the .NET Framework are used in their applications and move to supported versions as necessary. Applications that target the .NET Framework 2.0 should be tested with newer releases of the Framework to ensure they can run on a supported platform after support ends for version 2.0.

.NET Support Tied to Underlying OS

While the .NET Framework 2.0 has its own support life cycle, other versions that are still supported (.NET Framework 3.5 SP1 and later) inherit the support life cycle of the Windows OS on which they are installed. For example, the .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 running on Windows Server 2012 R2 is supported according to that OS’s life cycle, which ends on Jan. 10, 2023. However, the same .NET Framework distributable running on Windows Server 2003 or Windows XP is now ineligible for support, because the life cycles of those OSs have ended.