How to Upgrade to .NET 6? 🛠️

A few weeks ago, I learned that a new version of the .NET platform was officially released in November 2021. We knew we had to update soon to get the new improvements. We also didn't want to fall too far behind, even though we were using .NET 5 and that version is supported until May 2022.

But, since it had been a long time since I had programmed in C#, I didn't know how we could update our projects. Will it be difficult to upgrade? Are there any other implications? 🙈

So what did I do? I searched the Web and found it's easier than you think! At least with the right tools! 😉

I'll document it here for a quick reference if I need to.

Microsoft Visual Studio

If you're using Microsoft's official IDE, Visual Studio, the procedure is quite simple. It only has five steps:

• Open your project solution with Visual Studio 2022.
• In the top menu of the IDE, click on Project then on Property of YOUR_PROJECT.

• Under Application → General → Target Framework, select .NET 6.0.

• Save with Ctrl + S.
• Launch your app and make sure it's still working properly.

It's simple when you know it, isn't it? 😅

JetBrains Rider

If you are more a JetBrains fan and use their official IDE for .NET applications, Rider, the procedure is also quite simple:

• Open your project solution with JetBrains Rider.
• Right-click on your project and select Properties.... You can also use the Alt + Enter shortcut.

• Under Properties → Application, click on the ... button next to the Target framework property.

• In the new modal window named Edit Target framework, click on the net5.0 checkbox to deselect it and click on the net6.0 checkbox to select it.
• Click on the OK button to close the modal window and to return to the Project Properties window.

• While you're at it, you may have noticed the Language Version property which is currently set to C# 9.0. You can change it to C# 10.0 to make sure you're using the latest version available.
• Click on the OK button to save your changes and to close the Projet Properties window.
• Finally, make sure your application still builds and runs as before.

There you go, your application now runs under the .NET 6 framework! 🥳

Manual file editing

If you take a look at the only modified file, the YOUR_PROJECT.csproj file, you may notice that we could also just modify it. 😮

It's a lot faster, don't you think? 😂

Conclusion

The next step will also be to update your dependencies. But that will be in another article! 😅

Ressources

Announcing .NET 6 -- The Fastest .NET Yet

.NET 6 is now available. It is easier to use, runs faster, and has many new features.

.NET BlogRichard Lander

Migrate from ASP.NET Core 5.0 to 6.0

Learn how to migrate an ASP.NET Core 5.0 project to ASP.NET Core 6.0.

Microsoft DocsRick-Anderson