Runtime Versions

This document details the various runtime versions available for Microsoft development platforms, their compatibility, and key features.

Last Updated: October 26, 2023

Article ID: RTVER-DOC-4589

Introduction

Understanding runtime versions is crucial for ensuring application compatibility, performance, and access to the latest features. Microsoft continuously updates its runtimes to provide enhanced security, stability, and new programming capabilities. This page serves as a comprehensive guide to navigating these versions.

Key Runtime Environments

The following are the primary runtime environments relevant to modern Microsoft development:

.NET Runtime: Includes the Common Language Runtime (CLR) and the .NET Framework / .NET Core / .NET 5+ libraries. This is fundamental for C#, VB.NET, and F# applications.
Windows Runtime (WinRT): The foundational API layer for Windows 8 and later, enabling modern app development.
DirectX Runtime: Essential for graphics-intensive applications, including games and multimedia software.
Visual C++ Redistributable Packages: Libraries required by applications developed using C++ on Windows.

.NET Runtime Version History and Compatibility

The .NET ecosystem has evolved significantly. Here's a look at major versions and their general compatibility:

Version	Release Date (Approx.)	Key Features / Notes	Supported Until (General)
.NET Framework 4.8	April 18, 2019	Latest major version of .NET Framework. Extensive API coverage. Receives security and reliability updates.	Indefinite (Receives updates)
.NET Core 3.1	December 3, 2019	Cross-platform, high-performance, open-source. Extended Support ended September 13, 2023.	(EOL)
.NET 5	November 10, 2020	First release in the new unified .NET platform. Cross-platform.	May 10, 2022
.NET 6	November 8, 2021	Long-Term Support (LTS) release. Cross-platform, improved performance, C# 10 features.	November 12, 2024
.NET 7	November 8, 2022	Standard Term Support (STS) release. Performance improvements, C# 11 features.	May 14, 2024
.NET 8	November 14, 2023	LTS release. Further performance enhancements, C# 12 features, Native AOT improvements.	November 10, 2026

Determining Installed Runtimes

You can check the installed runtime versions on your system using various methods:

Windows: Control Panel -> Programs and Features, or use PowerShell commands like Get-ChildItem 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\NDP' -Recurse | Get-ItemProperty -Name Version -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Where-Object { $_.PSChildName -like 'v*' } | Select-Object PSChildName, Version for .NET Framework. For .NET Core/.NET 5+, check installed applications or use dotnet --list-runtimes in the command line.
macOS/Linux: Use the command line: dotnet --list-runtimes.

Best Practices for Runtime Management

Target Specific Runtimes: When developing, explicitly target the minimum required runtime version to ensure broad compatibility.
Utilize LTS Versions: For production applications, prefer Long-Term Support (LTS) versions of .NET for extended support and stability.
Keep Systems Updated: Ensure your development and deployment environments have the latest security and performance updates for the runtimes.
Understand Deprecations: Be aware of features and APIs that are deprecated in newer runtime versions.