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.NET 5 did not merge .NET Framework and .NET Core into one runtime, and it did not replace .NET Framework. It continued the .NET Core line under the shorter “.NET” name, marking Microsoft’s forward direction for modern .NET. Existing .NET Framework applications did not automatically become .NET 5 applications.
Did .NET 5 merge .NET Framework and .NET Core?
Not literally. .NET 5 followed .NET Core 3.1 and continued that modern, cross-platform product line. Microsoft dropped “Core” from the name to present .NET as its main implementation going forward. .NET Framework remained a separate implementation with its own support policy; Microsoft explicitly states that .NET 5 and later do not replace it. See Microsoft’s .NET 5 overview and .NET lifecycle FAQ.
So “merger” is useful only as shorthand for a consolidation of naming and direction for modern .NET. It should not be taken to mean that Microsoft combined the Framework and Core runtimes, retired Framework, or made all Framework applications compatible without changes.
Why did the version jump from .NET Core 3.1 to .NET 5?
.NET 5 was the next major release after .NET Core 3.1. Microsoft skipped version 4 to avoid confusion with .NET Framework 4.x, then removed “Core” from the main product name to signal that this was the primary .NET implementation going forward. The separate product names ASP.NET Core 5.0 and Entity Framework Core 5.0 retained “Core” for clarity: ASP.NET Core distinguished it from ASP.NET MVC 5, while Entity Framework Core distinguished it from Entity Framework 5 and 6. These naming details are documented in Microsoft’s .NET 5 overview.
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What changed for developers targeting .NET 5?
For applications and libraries targeting .NET 5, the target framework moniker (TFM) was net5.0. Microsoft described it as the target for .NET 5 project types, including class libraries; for those workloads it brought together the earlier netcoreapp and netstandard TFMs.
That did not mean .NET Standard was irrelevant in every case. A library intended to share code across .NET Framework, .NET Core, and .NET 5 workloads could still target netstandard2.0. The appropriate target depended on which implementations needed to consume the library, rather than on the idea that every project had been merged into one platform.
How are .NET Framework and modern .NET different?
Microsoft describes .NET and .NET Framework as related implementations with a generally subset-superset relationship, not as interchangeable versions with identical APIs and technologies. Their release lifecycles also differ: Framework has a high compatibility and stability bar because of its large installed base, while modern .NET follows a separate release policy. Microsoft explains this relationship in its .NET lifecycle FAQ.
| Question | .NET Framework | Modern .NET, including .NET 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Product relationship | A distinct implementation; not replaced by .NET 5. | The line that continued from .NET Core under the shorter .NET name. |
| Platform and application technologies | Availability depends on the Framework version and application technology. | Microsoft positioned .NET 5 as supporting more application types and platforms than either .NET Core or .NET Framework; individual technologies and APIs still vary. |
| Project target | Framework-specific target monikers are used for Framework projects. | net5.0 targeted .NET 5 applications and libraries; netstandard2.0 could serve libraries shared with Framework. |
| Lifecycle | Separate lifecycle; support details can depend on version and, in some cases, the Windows version. | Separate release lifecycle. .NET 5 is out of support. |
Does an existing .NET Framework app need to move to .NET 5?
No. The change in branding did not require Framework applications to move. Whether to migrate depends on the application’s needs, support and security requirements, and the technologies it uses. Microsoft’s current upgrade overview recommends assessing an application, piloting lower-risk projects, and using what is learned to plan broader work.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11A Framework-to-modern-.NET move can involve changes to the app model, project format, APIs, or technologies. Some technologies available in Framework may need alternatives, and compatibility effects can be binary or source-level. For an actual port, review the applicable .NET 5 breaking changes rather than assuming that a renamed platform guarantees compatibility.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is .NET 5 still supported?
No. Microsoft lists .NET 5.0’s support period as November 10, 2020 through May 11, 2022. It no longer receives Microsoft security or quality updates. The release dates and rebranding note are in Microsoft’s .NET and .NET Core lifecycle table; Microsoft’s upgrade overview explains the implications of using an out-of-support release.
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.NET Framework has its own lifecycle table, and dates are version-specific. For example, Microsoft lists January 13, 2027 as the end date for .NET Framework 4.6.2; that date does not establish the support status of every Framework installation. Check the entry for the exact Framework version and applicable Windows version on Microsoft’s .NET Framework lifecycle page.
For production work, choose a currently supported .NET release rather than .NET 5. Support windows can change as releases age, so consult Microsoft’s live lifecycle information when making that decision.
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