.NET Framework 3.5 is moving to its End of Support

Windows 10 comes with .NET framework 4.5 pre-installed, but many apps developed in Vista and Windows 7 era require the .NET framework v3.5 installed along with 4.5. These apps will not run unless you will install the required version. Starting with Windows 10 version 1809 and Windows Server 2019, Microsoft considers the .NET Framework as a standalone product even though it ships with the operating system. It is on a different release and support schedule. The company has announced the End of Support date for version 3.5 of the product.

The .NET framework is a development platform that makes it easier for application developers to create various Desktop and Web applications and services for Windows. The .NET framework makes creating programs faster by providing a wide range of ready-to-use libraries, classes, and functions.

The updated support page for the .NET Framework defines the following lifecycle policy for version 3.5:

.NET Framework 3.5 SP1: .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 is supported on Windows Vista SP2, Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 SP2, Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, Windows 8.1 Update, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 10, and Windows Server 2016 according to the end of support date for each operating system.

Starting with Windows 10 version 1809 and Windows Server 2019, .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 is defined as a standalone product and no longer as a component of the operating system (OS). As a product, .NET 3.5 SP1 will receive 5 years of mainstream support followed by 5 years of extended support starting with the General Availability of Windows 10 version 1809 and Windows Server 2019 on October 2, 2018. Go here to see end dates for this product.

This means that NET Framework 3.5 will be supported until October 2028. After that, it will stop receiving any kind of updates.
It is worth mentioning that Windows 10 is able to detect if an app requires a non-installed version of the .NET Framework. In such a case, it offers the user to download and install the missing version automatically. See the following articles:

• Find Which .NET Framework Versions Are Installed
• Offline install of .NET Framework 3.5 in Windows 10 using DISM

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