Upcoming availability of .NET Framework 4.8.1 on Windows Update and Catalog

We are excited to announce that in the coming weeks the .NET Framework 4.8.1 product will become available broadly on Windows Update (WU) and Microsoft Update Catalog for supported versions of Windows. The .NET Framework 4.8.1 product will first roll out to customers participating in the Windows Insider program through the Release Preview channel, then gradually to customers seeking the latest content on WU, and finally as Recommended to customers through Windows Update.

.NET Framework 4.8.1 will be available for the following versions of Windows and distribution channels:

• Windows Update: Windows 11 21H2, Windows 10 21H2 (LTSC), and Windows 10 22H2
• Microsoft Update Catalog: Windows 11 21H2, Windows 10 21H2 (LTSC), Windows 10 22H2 and Windows Server 2022 (Desktop, Azure Editions), Azure Stack 21H2 and Azure Stack 22H2.

Note: Customers using Windows Server Updates Services (WSUS) or any other update management tools will be able to import the .NET Framework 4.8.1 product from the Microsoft Update Catalog. Also note that .NET Framework 4.8.1 is already included by default in newer versions of Windows, starting with Windows 11 22H2.

What is new in .NET Framework 4.8.1?

For more information about what is new in the .NET Framework 4.8.1 product, you can read our previous announcement here: Announcing .NET Framework 4.8.1 – .NET Blog (microsoft.com). The NET Framework 4.8.1 product installers will also be updated to include all the latest security and quality fixes since the .NET Framework 4.8.1 initial release.

How can I get .NET Framework 4.8.1?

The .NET Framework 4.8.1 is available for download from: Download .NET Framework | Free official downloads (microsoft.com) for supported versions of Windows and is also included with Visual Studio 17.3 and Windows 11 22H2, and their corresponding newer versions.

Very soon, .NET Framework 4.8.1 will also be available on Windows Update and Microsoft Update Catalog as follows:

• Windows Insider program participants that have registered their device into the Release Preview channel will be the first to receive the latest .NET Framework 4.8.1 product release as Recommended.
• Shortly after, Windows Update Seekers will be able to install the .NET Framework 4.8.1 by checking for the latest updates (Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for Updates). We will gradually throttle availability to devices connected to Windows Update.
• Finally, supported versions of Windows client will receive the .NET Framework 4.8.1 as a Recommended update on Windows Update.
• IT administrators will also be able to download the .NET Framework 4.8.1 directly or import into WSUS from the Microsoft Update Catalog.

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.NET Framework 4.8.1 is available on Windows Update and Catalog - .NET Blog

Note: This post was updated on 6/27/2023 to account for this day’s release on Windows Update and Microsoft Update Catalog. Today, the .NET Framework 4.8.1 is available on Windows Update and Microsoft Update Catalog for supported versions of Windows. With today’s release,

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