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.NET / .NET Core Support Lifecycle (2026)

DodaTech Updated 2026-06-20 4 min read

In this tutorial, you'll learn about .net / .net core support lifecycle (2026). We cover key concepts, practical examples, and best practices to help you understand and apply this topic effectively.

.NET (formerly .NET Core) follows an even-numbered LTS, odd-numbered STS release cadence managed by Microsoft. LTS (Long-Term Support) releases ship every 2 years and receive 3 years of support, while STS (Standard-Term Support) releases ship in the intervening years and receive 18 months of support. Starting with .NET 5 (which unified .NET Core and .NET Framework), the platform has adopted a predictable November release schedule. Choosing between LTS and STS depends on your risk tolerance — LTS is recommended for production applications that cannot tolerate frequent upgrades.

.NET / .NET Core Version Support Table

Version Release Date Support Type Support End Date
.NET 5 Nov 2020 STS May 2022
.NET 6 Nov 2021 LTS Nov 2024
.NET 7 Nov 2022 STS May 2024
.NET 8 Nov 2023 LTS Nov 2026
.NET 9 Nov 2024 STS May 2026
.NET 10 Nov 2025 LTS Nov 2028

.NET Support Policy

Microsoft's .NET support model distinguishes between two release types:

  • LTS releases (even-numbered): Ship every 2 years (6, 8, 10, 12...). Receive 3 years of support from the release date. These are recommended for production applications. LTS releases receive security fixes, critical bug fixes, and selected quality improvements.
  • STS releases (odd-numbered): Ship in the years between LTS releases (5, 7, 9, 11...). Receive 18 months of support. These are intended for early adopters and applications that can upgrade frequently.
  • End of Life: After the support end date, no further updates — including security patches — are provided. You must upgrade to a supported version to receive updates.

All .NET releases ship in November each year. Microsoft also provides enterprise support agreements for organizations that need extended timelines beyond the standard support end dates.

How to Check Your .NET Version

dotnet --version
# 8.0.403

To list all installed .NET runtimes:

dotnet --list-runtimes
# Microsoft.NETCore.App 8.0.10 [/usr/share/dotnet/shared/Microsoft.NETCore.App/8.0.10]
# Microsoft.NETCore.App 9.0.0  [/usr/share/dotnet/shared/Microsoft.NETCore.App/9.0.0]

Upgrade Path

Current Version Recommended Target Reason
.NET 5 (EOL May 2022) .NET 8 LTS or .NET 10 LTS 5 is fully unsupported; upgrade to an active LTS
.NET 6 LTS (EOL Nov 2024) .NET 8 LTS or .NET 10 LTS 6 is fully unsupported
.NET 7 STS (EOL May 2024) .NET 8 LTS or .NET 10 LTS 7 is fully unsupported
.NET 8 LTS .NET 10 LTS 8 is supported until Nov 2026; 10 LTS extends your window to Nov 2028
.NET 9 STS (EOL May 2026) .NET 10 LTS 9 reaches EOL May 2026; 10 LTS is the next LTS release
.NET 10 LTS — Current LTS release; plan upgrade to .NET 12 LTS in 2027

FAQ

What is the difference between LTS and STS in .NET?

LTS (Long-Term Support) releases receive 3 years of support and are recommended for production. STS (Standard-Term Support) releases receive 18 months of support and are for early adopters. LTS ships every 2 years (even numbers); STS ships in between (odd numbers).

Does .NET Framework have the same support lifecycle?

No. .NET Framework 4.x is a Windows component and follows the Windows OS lifecycle. .NET Framework 4.8 is supported on supported Windows versions. .NET 5+ (.NET Core) is a separate cross-platform product with its own lifecycle as described above.

Which .NET version should I use for a new project?

.NET 10 LTS (released November 2025) is recommended for all new production projects. It offers 3 years of support through November 2028. If you need the latest features and can upgrade frequently, .NET 9 (STS) or .NET 11 (STS, expected Nov 2026) are options.

Can I still use .NET 5 or 6 after their EOL?

Technically yes, but Microsoft will not release security patches. Your application will be vulnerable to newly discovered CVEs. Extended support is available through Microsoft Enterprise agreements but at additional cost.

How do I upgrade my .NET project?

Update the TargetFramework in your .csproj file (e.g., net8.0 to net10.0). Update your global.json if present. Review the breaking changes documentation for the target version. Run dotnet --version to verify the SDK. Microsoft provides upgrade assistants and Migration guides for each release

What about ASP.NET Core and EF Core support?

ASP.NET Core and Entity Framework Core follow the same support lifecycle as the .NET runtime they target. For example, ASP.NET Core 8.0 is supported as long as .NET 8 LTS is supported (through Nov 2026).

  • Python Version EOL Schedule
  • Node.js Release Schedule
  • Java / JDK LTS Schedule
  • Go Version Support Policy
← Previous Go Version Support Policy (2026) Next → Rust Edition & Version Schedule (2026)

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