What is the difference between .NET and .NET Framework project types?

Question

When I try to create a new project there is a different type of choises.

Windows Forms App (.NET) and Windows Forms App (.NET Framework)

Is ".NET" like .NET Core?

Shortly: .net framework projects are big and ugly, .net are small and cute. You can create both and see difference opening both with notepad. You should always prefer .net projects — JL0PD
– JL0PD, Commented Mar 23, 2021 at 7:31
Seems like .NET Framework is the standard framework (up to version 4.*) and .NET is the version 5 which united standard and core — ibram
– ibram, Commented Mar 23, 2021 at 7:32
Just select it, type a project name and you will see in the final step the version number or in the project properties after the creation — ibram
– ibram, Commented Mar 23, 2021 at 7:43
See devblogs.microsoft.com/dotnet/introducing-net-5 for info on the rebranding of .NET Core. — Joe Sewell
– Joe Sewell, Commented Mar 23, 2021 at 19:33

Dark Daskin · Accepted Answer · 2021-03-23 19:24:10Z

2

.NET Framework templates use legacy project file format which lists every file and cannot be edited without unloading. As the name says, they are only compatible with .NET Framework. Visual Studio will allow you to choose .NET Framework version.

.NET templates use modern project file format which is much shorter and can be edited without unloading. Visual Studio will allow you to choose .NET/.NET Core version (they just removed Core suffix starting from version 5). Also this project format is compatible with .NET Framework, but you need to specify it in project file manually (you can also specify multiple .NET versions).

The modern project file format is preferred unless you need features of the old format. As far as I know, the only thing you lose when you use this format is ability to reference assemblies from GAC or its extensions.

answered Mar 23, 2021 at 19:24

Dark Daskin

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niek tuytel · Accepted Answer · 2022-03-25 21:09:55Z

1

Please keep in mind that .NET framework has not been supported anymore by Microsoft!

edited Mar 25, 2022 at 21:09

answered Mar 24, 2022 at 10:50

niek tuytel

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