The .NET Desktop Runtime 8.0.0 is a runtime environment that enables you to run existing Windows desktop applications. It includes the .NET runtime and Windows desktop libraries, allowing you to run console, Windows Forms, and Windows Presentation Framework (WPF) applications.
This release is part of the .NET 8.0 family, which brings thousands of performance, stability, and security improvements, as well as platform and tooling enhancements to increase developer productivity and speed of innovation.
What is Included
The .NET Desktop Runtime 8.0.0 includes the .NET runtime and Windows desktop libraries, which enable running console, Windows Forms, and Windows Presentation Framework (WPF) applications. It also includes the ASP.NET Core Runtime, allowing you to run web applications.
- .NET Runtime⁚ contains just the components needed to run a console app.
- Windows desktop libraries⁚ enables running Windows Forms and WPF applications.
- ASP.NET Core Runtime⁚ enables running web applications.
This runtime environment provides a comprehensive set of libraries and tools to develop and run Windows desktop and web applications.
Key Features and Improvements
The .NET Desktop Runtime 8.0.0 includes several key features and improvements, such as a new globalization mode for mobile apps, new source generators for COM interop and configuration binding, and enhancements to performance, garbage collection, and core and extension libraries.
New Globalization Mode and Source Generators
The .NET 8 runtime includes improvements to globalization mode, which enables better support for mobile apps. Additionally, new source generators for COM interop and configuration binding are introduced, allowing for more efficient and streamlined development.
These features enable developers to create more robust and adaptable applications, taking advantage of the latest .NET 8 capabilities; By leveraging the new globalization mode and source generators, developers can build high-quality, scalable applications that meet the demands of modern users.
Security and Vulnerabilities
Microsoft is releasing a security advisory to provide information about a vulnerability in .NET 8.0, specifically in the .NET runtime TlsStream, which may result in a Remote Code Execution vulnerability (CVE-2023-36038).
A Denial of Service vulnerability also exists in .NET 7.0 and .NET 8.0, caused by a stack buffer overrun in the .NET Double Parse routine (CVE-2024-30046).
Vulnerability in .NET Runtime TlsStream
A vulnerability exists in .NET runtime TlsStream, which may result in a security issue. Microsoft has released a security advisory to provide information about this vulnerability and guidance on what developers can do to update their applications to remove this vulnerability.
This vulnerability affects .NET 8.0 and may lead to a Remote Code Execution vulnerability. Developers are advised to take immediate action to address this vulnerability and ensure the security of their applications.
Installation and Updates
To obtain and install the update, you can use Microsoft Update for Windows client operating systems or WSUS and MU Catalog for Windows Server operating systems.
When installing a new version, such as .NET 8.0.10, the previous version, .NET 8.0.9, will be removed from the computer if present.
How to Obtain and Install the Update
This update is available on Microsoft Update for Windows client operating systems and available on WSUS and MU Catalog for Windows Server operating systems. To obtain and install the update, follow these steps⁚
- Go to the Microsoft Update website.
- Search for the .NET Desktop Runtime 8.0.0 update.
- Download and install the update.
Note⁚ If you have an older version of .NET installed, it will be removed when you install the new version. For example, if you install .NET 8.0.10, .NET 8.0.9 will be removed if present.
Development and Productivity
With .NET 8.0.0, Native AOT publishing has been improved, allowing you to create fully self-contained versions of your app that don’t require a runtime, with everything included in a single file. This release also adds support for x64 and Arm64 architectures on macOS.
Native AOT Publishing Improvements
Publishing an app with Native AOT creates a fully self-contained version of your app that doesn’t need a runtime—everything is included in a single file. .NET 8 brings significant improvements to Native AOT publishing, including support for the x64 and Arm64 architectures on macOS.
This means you can now deploy your .NET apps as a single file to macOS, making them easier to distribute and manage. Native AOT publishing also provides better performance and security, as the entire app is compiled to machine code ahead of time.