Support for the .NET Framework

As managing vice president, Rob Helm covers Microsoft collaboration services and client software. His 25-plus years of experience analyzing Microsoft’s... more

Support for the .NET Framework 4, 4.5, and 4.5.1 ended on Jan. 12, 2016. The .NET Framework 4.5.2 and later are supported for the same time frame as the support life cycle of the Windows OS on which they are running. The .NET Framework 4.5.2 and 4.6 are supported on Windows Vista and later and Windows Server 2008 and later. The .NET Framework 4.6.1 and 4.6.2 are supported on Windows 7 and later and Windows Server 2008 R2 and later.

The move to the .NET Framework 4.5.2 and later for applications designed for the .NET Framework 4, 4.5, or 4.5.1 should not be difficult. In most cases, an application will not require code changes or recompilation unless it needs to take advantage of new features provided by a later version of the .NET Framework. Organizations should test applications to ensure that no underlying changes in the framework cause regressions. Microsoft provides guidance for ensuring application compatibility with later versions of the .NET Framework.

The .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 is supported for the same time frame as the support life cycle of the Windows OS on which it is running. The .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 is supported on Windows Vista and later and Windows Server 2008 and later.

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