.NET Framework Approaching End of Support Soon

Microsoft now remembers that several .NET Framework versions will soon be discontinued. The first “End of Life” date is April 26, 2022, for .NET Framework 4.5.2, 4.6, and 4.6.1. All .NET Framework versions for which Microsoft is ending support soon are still signed with the Secure Hash Algorithm 1 (SHA-1), which is now considered insecure. Since the .NET Framework is a free software development framework for creating .NET applications, websites, and services, it now uses more secure coding and developers are now trying to move away from the old versions. The end of the older versions was announced in April 2021.

There is one exception

This also means that technical support for the older versions is no longer available. Microsoft will no longer provide updates. Microsoft recommends .NET developers migrate their applications to at least .NET Framework 4.6.2 or later before April 26, 2022, to continue receiving technical support and security updates. However, there is one exception: the version of .NET Framework 4.6 that ships with Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2015 will be supported until October 2025, even if the operating system reaches the end of its life before that time. Microsoft is now reporting on this in the Windows Notification Center

End of support

• .NET Framework 4.5.2, 4.6, 4.6.1 will reach the end of support in 2022
• On April 26, 2022, support for .NET Framework 4.5.2, 4.6, and 4.6.1 will end. After this date, Microsoft will no longer provide updates, including security fixes and technical support for these versions. There are no changes to the support schedules for all other .NET Framework versions. If you are using .NET Framework 4.5.2, 4.6, or 4.6.1, you must upgrade to a newer version to remain supported.
• Microsoft is making this change because the .NET Framework has historically been signed with certificates using Secure Hash Algorithm 1 (SHA-1), and we are prioritizing support for newer digital certificates. For more information see Blog post “.NET Framework 4.5.2, 4.6 and 4.6.1 will no longer be supported on April 26, 2022”

By the way, when .NET Framework 4.5.2, 4.6, and 4.6.1 reach the end of support, applications running on these versions will continue to run without restrictions.