.NET Framework versions estimated lifecycle and support
Below is an estimated support lifecycle for .NET Framework and above. It is compiled based on lifecycle and support documents coming from Microsoft, and is not meant to be an official support document.
You can use this document to roughly gauge what versions are supported at this moment, and when support will end.
Please note that, in order to encourage upgrade, the current table will only show IX projects support that is current. You are intentionally left on your own to figure out if previous IX projects versions support older, out-of-support frameworks or not. The exception is that I have pointed out those framework versions which still work with .NET Standard 2.0, due to the wide reach of this kind of target in other active libraries.
Support for .NET Framework below .NET 4.7.2 will slowly be dropped, and, at the first initiative from Microsoft, the .NET Framework 4.6.2 target will be either updated or dropped entirely. Once support for anything below 4.7.2 is dropped, then the framework target will also be dropped, and the .NET Standard 2.0 will take over.
I fully expect that, by the end of 2025, there will no longer be any reason to support anything below that year's LTS .NET release.
For every version of the below framework versions that become unsupported, the next release of any IX library will remove support for it.
Starting January 2024, this document will link to the version of itself immediately prior to it.
.NET Version lifecycle
Symbols legend
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ❌ | Not supported |
| ✖️ | Not officially supported, but may run1 |
| ❗ | Still supported, but use is not advised |
| ⚠️ | Still supported, but only for a short while |
| ✔️ | Supported |
| ❔ | Currently unreleased, everything is estimated |
.NET Framework
Click to see versions no longer in support
| Version | IX Support | MS Support | Last IX.StandardExtesions support |
|---|---|---|---|
| ⇐ 1.1 SP1 | ❌ | ❌ (14th July, 2015) | (never supported) |
| 2.0 SP2 | ❌ | ❌ (12th July, 2011)2 | |
| 3.0 SP2 | ❌ | ❌ (12th July, 2011)2 | |
| 3.5 SP1 | ❌ | ❗ (9th January, 2029)2 | |
| 4.0 | ❌ | ❌ (12th January, 2016) | |
| 4.5 | ❌ | ❌ (12th January, 2016) |  |
| 4.5.1 | ❌ | ❌ (12th January, 2016) | |
| 4.5.2 | ❌ | ❌ (26th April, 2022) |  |
| 4.6 | ❌ | ❌ (26th April, 2022) |  |
| 4.6.1 | ❌ | ❌ (26th April, 2022) | 3 |
| Version | IX Support | MS Support | Last IX.StandardExtesions support |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6.2 | ✔️ | ✔️ (12th January, 2027) | |
| 4.7 | ✔️ | ✔️ (12th January, 2027)4 | |
| 4.7.1 | ✔️ | ✔️ (12th January, 2027)4 | |
| 4.7.2 | ✔️ | ✔️ (9th January, 2029)4 | |
| 4.8 | ✔️ | ✔️ (14th October, 2031)[est] | |
| 4.8.1 | ✔️ | ✔️ (14th October, 2031)4 |
Silverlight
Silverlight has never been supported by IX projects.
Windows Phone
Windows Phone has never been supported by IX projects. It is probably possible to use some versions of libraries, but Windows Phone is no longer supported by Microsoft.
.NET Standard
The .NET Standard, as a stepping stone for truly unifying the .NET platform, was intended as a way to standardize the common features guaranteed to be available on supported platforms. As such, the concept of "support" is not really applicable, but can be a good indicator to whether or not the standard in question may or may not have already lost traction, and should be abandoned.
Click to see versions no longer in support
| Version | IX Support | MS Support | Last IX.StandardExtesions support |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | ❌ | ❌ (12th January, 2016) |  |
| 1.1 | ❌ | ❌ (12th January, 2016) |  |
| 1.2 | ❌ | ❌ (12th January, 2016) | |
| 1.3 | ❌ | ❌ (26th April, 2022) |  |
| 1.4 | ❌ | ❌ (26th April, 2022) | |
| 1.5 | ❌ | ❌ (26th April, 2022) | |
| 1.6 | ❌ | ❌ (26th April, 2022) | |
| 2.1 | ❌ | ❌ (13th December, 2022) |  3 |
| Version | IX Support | MS Support | Last IX.StandardExtesions support |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 | ✔️ | ✔️ (14th October, 2031)4 5 |
.NET
Click to see versions no longer in support
| Version | IX Support | MS Support | Last IX.StandardExtesions support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core 1.0 | ❌ | ❌ (27th June, 2019) | |
| Core 1.1 | ❌ | ❌ (27th June, 2019) | |
| Core 2.0 | ✖️ | ❌ (1st October, 2018) | 3 |
| Core 2.1 | ✖️ | ❌ (21st August, 2021) |  3 |
| Core 2.2 | ✖️ | ❌ (23rd December, 2019) |  3 |
| Core 3.0 | ✖️ | ❌ (3rd March, 2020) | 3 |
| Core 3.1 | ✖️ | ❌ (13th December, 2022) | 3 |
| 5 | ✖️ | ❌ (10th May, 2022) | 3 |
| Version | IX Support | MS Support | Last IX.StandardExtesions support |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | ✔️ | ✔️ (8th November, 2024) | |
| 7 | ⚠️ | ⚠️ (8th May 2024) | |
| 8 | ✔️ | ✔️ (10th November 2026) |
Source Microsoft Windows OS lifecycle tables
This table shows estimated Microsoft Windows estimated support dates, onto which .NET versions are based.
Like the previous tables, this is compiled as support for IX projects users and is not meant to be an official Microsoft support document.
As per official recommendations, it is advisable that, once mainstream support has ended, that the Windows OS be migrated to a newer version, although extended support will still keep the OS operation safe. After extended support has finished, and until ESU is done, it is recommended that the OS only be used on mission-critical systems that cannot otherwise be updated. After that time has passed, it is no longer advisable to use that operating system. IX projects will only be supported on supported operating systems, and only as long as they are able to run any supported .NET runtime.
If an OS version appears here, then it either is currently supported, or has been supported at some time in the past. If an OS shows as not supported, and you absolutely must use it, then please refer to the tables above and find out which IX library is the last that was supported on the runtime which you are able to install. It is entirely possible that you might be able to install even the latest version, however, any issue encountered as a result of the OS version, especially those caused by bugs which were fixed in later runtimes and/or later OS versions, will not be dealt with unless a commercial contract is signed.
OS Versions that do not appear here have never been supported by any IX library.
Client Windows OS
Click to see versions no longer in support
No Windows versions that have launched before Windows 7 SP1 are officially supported.
| Version | Mainstream Support | Extended Support | ESU | IX Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 7 SP1 | ❌ 2015.01.13 | ❌ 2020.01.14 | ❌ 2023.01.10 | ✖️ |
| Windows 8 | ❌ 2016.01.12 | ❌ 2016.01.12 | - | ✖️ |
| Windows 8.1 | ❌ 2018.01.09 | ❌ 2023.01.10 | - | ✖️ |
| Windows 10 1507 | ❌ 2017.05.09 | - | - | ✖️ |
| Windows 10 1151 | ❌ 2017.10.10 | - | - | ✖️ |
| Windows 10 1607 | ❌ 2019.04.09 | - | - | ✖️ |
| Windows 10 1703 | ❌ 2019.10.08 | - | - | ✖️ |
| Windows 10 1709 | ❌ 2020.10.13 | - | - | ✖️ |
| Windows 10 1803 | ❌ 2021.05.11 | - | - | ✖️ |
| Windows 10 1809 | ❌ 2021.05.11 | - | - | ✖️ |
| Windows 10 1903 | ❌ 2020.12.08 | - | - | ✖️ |
| Windows 10 1909 | ❌ 2022.05.10 | - | - | ✖️ |
| Windows 10 2004 | ❌ 2021.12.04 | - | - | ✖️ |
| Windows 10 20H2 | ❌ 2023.05.09 | - | - | ✖️ |
| Windows 10 21H1 | ❌ 2022.12.13 | - | - | ✖️ |
| Windows 10 21H2 | ❌ 2023.06.13 | - | - | ✖️ |
| Windows 11 21H2 | ❌ 2023.10.10 | - | - | ✖️ |
| Version | Mainstream Support | Extended Support | ESU | IX Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 10 22H2 | ✔️ 2025.10.14 | - | - | ✔️ |
| Windows 11 22H2 | ✔️ 2024.10.08 | - | - | ✔️ |
| Windows 11 23H2 | ✔️ 2025.11.11 | - | - | ✔️ |
Enterprise and special edition Windows OS
The following table shows Enterprise and special edition Windows OSes on the modern lifecycle. Anything below this will be using the regular client table (and is out of support anyway).
| Version | Mainstream Support | Extended Support | ESU | IX Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 10 21H2 | ⚠️ 2024.06.11 | - | - | ✔️ |
| Windows 10 2015 LTSB | - | ✔️ 2025.10.14 | - | ✔️ |
| Windows 10 2016 LTSB | - | ✔️ 2026.10.13 | - | ✔️ |
| Windows 10 2019 LTSC | - | ✔️ 2029.01.09 | - | ✔️ |
| Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 | - | ✔️ 2027.01.12 | - | ✔️ |
| Windows 11 21H2 | ✔️ 2024.10.08 | - | - | ✔️ |
| Windows 10 22H2 | ✔️ 2025.10.14 | - | - | ✔️ |
| Windows 11 22H2 | ✔️ 2025.10.14 | - | - | ✔️ |
| Windows 11 23H2 | ✔️ 2026.11.10 | - | - | ✔️ |
Server Windows OS
Click to see versions no longer in support
No Windows Server versions that have launched before 2008 R2 are officially supported.
| Version | Mainstream Support | Extended Support | ESU | IX Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Server 2008 R2 | ❌ 2015.01.13 | ❌ 2020.01.14 | ❗ 2024.01.09 | ❗6 |
| Windows Server 2012 | ❌ 2018.10.09 | ❌ 2023.10.10 | ❗ 2026.10.13 | ❗6 |
| Windows Server 2012 R2 | ❌ 2018.10.09 | ❌ 2023.10.10 | ❗ 2026.10.13 | ❗6 |
| Windows Server Version 1709 | - | ❌ 2019.04.09 | - | ✖️ |
| Windows Server Version 1803 | - | ❌ 2019.11.12 | - | ✖️ |
| Windows Server Version 1809 | - | ❌ 2020.11.10 | - | ✖️ |
| Windows Server Version 1903 | - | ❌ 2020.12.08 | - | ✖️ |
| Windows Server Version 1909 | - | ❌ 2021.05.11 | - | ✖️ |
| Windows Server Version 2004 | - | ❌ 2021.12.14 | - | ✖️ |
| Windows Server Version 20H2 | - | ❌ 2022.08.09 | - | ✖️ |
| Version | Mainstream Support | Extended Support | ESU | IX Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Server 2016 | ❌ 2022.01.11 | ✔️ 2027.01.12 | - | ✔️ |
| Windows Server 2019 | ❌ 2024.01.09 | ✔️ 2029.01.09 | - | ✔️ |
| Windows Server 2022 | ✔️ 2026.10.13 | ✔️ 2031.10.14 | - | ✔️ |
Source Apple OS lifecycle tables
In the interest of providing the best support information available, the Apple OS tables have been explicitly added and will be continuously updated with new information.
If an OS version appears here, then it either is currently supported, or has been supported at some time in the past. If an OS shows as not supported, and you absolutely must use it, then please refer to the tables above and find out which IX library is the last that was supported on the runtime which you are able to install. It is entirely possible that you might be able to install even the latest version, however, any issue encountered as a result of the OS version, especially those caused by bugs which were fixed in later runtimes and/or later OS versions, will not be dealt with unless a commercial contract is signed.
OS Versions that do not appear here have never been supported by any IX library.
macOS
Click to see versions no longer in support
No macOS versions that have launched before macOS 10.15 "Catalina" are officially supported.
| Version | Mainstream Support | IX Support |
|---|---|---|
| macOS 10.15 "Catalina" | ❌ (2022.09.12) | ✖️ |
| macOS 11 "Big Sur" | ❌ (2023.09.26) | ✖️ |
| Version | Mainstream Support | IX Support |
|---|---|---|
| macOS 12 "Monterey" | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| macOS 13 "Ventura" | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| macOS 14 "Sonoma" | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Source Linux OS lifecycle tables
In the interest of providing the best support information available, the Linux OS tables have been explicitly added and will be continuously updated with new information.
If an OS version appears here, then it either is currently supported, or has been supported at some time in the past. If an OS shows as not supported, and you absolutely must use it, then please refer to the tables above and find out which IX library is the last that was supported on the runtime which you are able to install. It is entirely possible that you might be able to install even the latest version, however, any issue encountered as a result of the OS version, especially those caused by bugs which were fixed in later runtimes and/or later OS versions, will not be dealt with unless a commercial contract is signed.
OS Versions that do not appear here have never been supported by any IX library.
Ubuntu
Click to see versions no longer in support
No Ubuntu versions that have launched before 16.04 are officially supported.
| Version | Mainstream Support | Extended Support | IX Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16.04 "Xenial Xerus" | ❌ (2021.04.02) | ✔️ (2026.04.01) | ❗6 |
| 18.04 "Bionic Beaver" | ❌ (2023.04.02) | ✔️ (2028.04.01) | ❗6 |
| 19.04 "Disco Dingo" | ❌ (2020.01.06) | - | ✖️ |
| 19.10 "Eoan Ermine" | ❌ (2020.07.06) | - | ✖️ |
| 20.10 "Groovy Gorilla" | ❌ (2021.07.22) | - | ✖️ |
| 21.04 "Hirsute Hippo" | ❌ (2022.01.20) | - | ✖️ |
| 21.10 "Impish Indri" | ❌ (2022.07.31) | - | ✖️ |
| 22.10 "Kinetic Kudu" | ❌ (2023.07.20) | - | ✖️ |
| 23.04 "Lunar Lobster" | ❌ (2024.01.20) | - | ✖️ |
| Version | Mainstream Support | Extended Support | IX Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20.04 "Focal Fossa" | ✔️ (2025.04.02) | ✔️ (2030.04.01) | ✔️ |
| 22.04 "Jammy Jellyfish" | ✔️ (2027.04.02) | ✔️ (2032.04.01) | ✔️ |
| 23.10 "Mantic Minotaur" | ✔️ (2024.07.01) | - | ✔️ |
Alpine
Click to see versions no longer in support
No Alpine Linux versions that have launched before 3.8 are officially supported.
| Version | Mainstream Support | IX Support |
|---|---|---|
| 3.8 | ❌ (2020.05.01) | ✖️ |
| 3.9 | ❌ (2021.01.01) | ✖️ |
| 3.10 | ❌ (2021.05.01) | ✖️ |
| 3.11 | ❌ (2021.11.01) | ✖️ |
| 3.12 | ❌ (2022.05.01) | ✖️ |
| 3.13 | ❌ (2022.11.01) | ✖️ |
| 3.14 | ❌ (2023.05.01) | ✖️ |
| 3.15 | ❌ (2023.11.01) | ✖️ |
| Version | Mainstream Support | IX Support |
|---|---|---|
| 3.16 | ⚠️ (2024.05.23) | ✔️ |
| 3.17 | ✔️ (2024.11.22) | ✔️ |
| 3.18 | ✔️ (2025.05.09) | ✔️ |
| 3.19 | ✔️ (2025.11.01) | ✔️ |
CentOS
No CentOS versions that have launched before 8 are officially supported.
| Version | Mainstream Support | IX Support |
|---|---|---|
| Linux 8 | ❌ (2021.12.31) | ✖️ |
| Stream 8 | ⚠️ (2024.05.31) | ✔️ |
| Stream 9 | ✔️ (2027.12.31) | ✔️ |
Red Hat Enterprise Linux
No RHEL versions that have launched before 8 are officially supported.
| Version | Mainstream Support | Extended Support | IX Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | ⚠️ (2024.05.31) | ✔️ (2029.05.31) | ✔️ |
| 9 | ✔️ (2027.05.31) | ✔️ (2032.05.31) | ✔️ |
Debian
No Debian versions that have launched before 8 are officially supported.
| Version | Mainstream Support | IX Support |
|---|---|---|
| 8 "Jessie" | ❌ (2020.06.30) | ✖️ |
| 9 "Stretch" | ❌ (2022.06.30) | ✖️ |
| 10 "Buster" | ⚠️ (2024.06.01) | ✔️ |
| 11 "Bullseye" | ✔️ (2026.08.15) | ✔️ |
| 12 "Bookworm" | ✔️ (2028.06.10) | ✔️ |
Raspbian
Raspbian is supported under the same lifecycle as the Debian that it's based on.
Fedora
Click to see versions no longer in support
No Fedora Linux versions that have launched before 29 are officially supported.
| Version | Mainstream Support | IX Support |
|---|---|---|
| 29 | ❌ (2019.11.26) | ✖️ |
| 30 | ❌ (2020.05.26) | ✖️ |
| 31 | ❌ (2020.11.30) | ✖️ |
| 32 | ❌ (2021.05.25) | ✖️ |
| 33 | ❌ (2021.11.30) | ✖️ |
| 34 | ❌ (2022.06.07) | ✖️ |
| 35 | ❌ (2022.12.13) | ✖️ |
| 36 | ❌ (2023.05.16) | ✖️ |
| 37 | ❌ (2023.11.15) | ✖️ |
| Version | Mainstream Support | IX Support |
|---|---|---|
| 38 | ⚠️ (2024.05.18) | ✔️ |
| 39 | ✔️ (2024.12.07) | ✔️ |
openSUSE
Click to see versions no longer in support
No openSUSE versions that have launched before 15 are officially supported.
| Version | Mainstream Support | IX Support |
|---|---|---|
| 15.0 | ❌ (2019.12.03) | ✖️ |
| 15.1 | ❌ (2021.02.02) | ✖️ |
| 15.2 | ❌ (2021.12.01) | ✖️ |
| 15.3 | ❌ (2022.12.01) | ✖️ |
| 15.4 | ❌ (2023.12.01) | ✖️ |
| Version | Mainstream Support | IX Support |
|---|---|---|
| 15.5 | ✔️ (2024.12.01) | ✔️ |
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
No SLES versions that have launched before 12.5 are officially supported.
| Version | Mainstream Support | Extended Support | IX Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12.5 | ✔️ (2024.10.31) | ✔️ (2027.10.31) | ✔️ |
| 15 | ❌ (2019.12.31) | ❌ (2022.12.31) | ✖️ |
| 15.1 | ❌ (2021.01.31) | ❌ (2024.01.31) | ✖️ |
| 15.2 | ❌ (2021.12.31) | ✔️ (2024.12.31) | ✔️ |
| 15.3 | ❌ (2022.12.31) | ✔️ (2025.12.31) | ✔️ |
| 15.4 | ❌ (2023.12.31) | ✔️ (2026.12.31) | ✔️ |
| 15.5 | ✔️ (2028.07.31) | ✔️ (2031.07.31) | ✔️ |
References
Lifecycle and information for .NET
- Lifecycle FAQ - .NET Framework
- Microsoft .NET Framework - Lifecycle
- .NET Framework System Requirements
- .NET Standard
- .NET and .NET Core Support Policy
- Cross-platform targeting
- Introducing .NET 5
- Announcing .NET 6 - The Fastest .NET Yet
- .NET 7 is Available Today
- Announcing .NET 8
Lifecycle for operating systems
- Windows 11 Enterprise and Education
- Windows 11 Home and Pro
- Windows 10 Enterprise and Education
- Windows 10 Home and Pro
- Windows 10 2015 LTSB
- Windows 10 2016 LTSB
- Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019
- Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021
- Windows Server 2022
- Windows Server 2019
- Windows Server 2016
- Windows Server
- Windows Server 2012 R2
- Windows Server 2012
- Windows Server 2008 R2
- Windows 8.1
- Windows 8
- Windows 7
- Install .NET on macOS
- Install the .NET SDK or the .NET Runtime on Ubuntu
- Install the .NET SDK or the .NET Runtime on Alpine
- Install the .NET SDK or the .NET Runtime on CentOS
- Install the .NET SDK or the .NET Runtime on CentOS Stream
- Install the .NET SDK or the .NET Runtime on Debian
- Install the .NET SDK or the .NET Runtime on Fedora
- Install the .NET SDK or the .NET Runtime on openSUSE
- Install the .NET SDK or the .NET Runtime on SLES
- Deploy .NET apps to Raspberry Pi
Document metadata
Last update: 10th February, 2024 - Read previous version of this document
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Not supported because of underlying OS support or underlying framework support having been dropped by the parent company. However, there is no technical reason why the latest versions of IX libraries wouldn't work on those OSes, OS versions or frameworks↩
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.NET Framework versions 2.0 and 3.0 are noted to be an integral part of .NET 3.5, and are supported under a single lifecycle policy, and Microsoft stated that their components will continue to be supported for as long as .NET 3. SP1 remains in support, while running under .NET 3.5 SP1; full statement can be found on this page.↩↩↩
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Estimated date based on available information at the time of last references update.↩↩↩↩↩
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Although the .NET Standard 2.0 is basically compatible with .NET Framework 4.6.1 and above, it has been IX projects practice to target the framework itself rather than .NET Standard due to framework resolution conflicts if Framework targets are specified↩
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The OS or OS version is supported, however its use is only recommended for mission-critical systems, and should be updated or upgraded as soon as possible↩↩↩↩↩