Embracing the Future: Product Update for Enhanced Performance and Security

As part of our commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions at the highest security and performance standards, we are announcing an important update to the Telerik UI product roadmap.

Starting with our upcoming releases, our .NET-based products will exclusively support .NET Framework versions 4.6.2 and above and .NET versions 6.0 and above. The last release supporting older framework versions is the one scheduled for the end of January. After that, we will provide one full year of our outstanding support service for this release.

We believe it’s crucial to guide our clients toward building and distributing software that prioritizes security in the context of globally escalating security incidents.

Why the Change?

This decision is rooted in our dedication to aligning with Microsoft’s recommended framework versions so that our products leverage the latest advancements in technology, security and performance. By targeting .NET Framework 4.6.2 and .NET 6.0, we are aligning ourselves with Microsoft’s lowest-supported framework versions for .NET Framework and .NET, respectively. This enables compatibility with Microsoft’s ongoing updates and support, allowing us to deliver a more robust and secure experience to you.

Benefits of Modernization

A shift to modern framework versions brings a host of benefits to our products and, consequently, to you, our valued users. The advantages include:

1. Enhanced Security: Modern frameworks come equipped with the latest security features, protecting your applications and data against evolving threats.

2. Security Certification Compliance Using actively supported frameworks and certified tools is a prerequisite to certifying for the generally recognized security compliance certificates, e.g., SAMM Level 2 and above.

3. Improved Performance: Embracing the latest technologies allows our products to leverage performance enhancements, ensuring a faster and more responsive user experience.

4. Future-Proofing: Staying up to date with the latest framework versions allows your applications to remain compatible with future updates, preserving their longevity and reducing the need for frequent migrations.

Affected Products

Here are all the products that comply with this change:

• Telerik UI for Blazor*
• Telerik UI for ASP.NET Core
• Telerik UI for ASP.NET MVC
• Telerik UI for ASP.NET AJAX
• Telerik UI for .NET MAUI*
• Telerik UI for WinUI
• Telerik UI for WinForms
• Telerik UI for WPF
• Telerik UI for Xamarin
• Telerik Reporting
• Telerik Report Server*
• Telerik JustMock

* Notes:

• Telerik UI for Blazor already exclusively supports .NET 6 and above with the current November release.
• Telerik UI for .NET MAUI already exclusively supports .NET 7 and above with the current November release because of the alignment with the release cadence of MS.
• Telerik Report Server is on the list as its Report Server API Client will conform to the change.

Timeline for Transition

If you are building your apps to a framework version that is not supported by Microsoft, we strongly encourage you to plan and initiate their migration to a higher, supported framework version accordingly. This will allow you to utilize our future improvements and features that we are committed to delivering.

By finalizing the framework transition by mid-May, you will be able to upgrade your Telerik tools at any point later. Why? The January release will be the last one supporting the outdated framework versions, making the mid-May release the first major release not supporting those.

Progress will support the January release for one year—until January 2025. That said, even if you need the time to migrate your apps, Progress has all active license holders covered with customer support service through established channels. We will do our best to keep our mutual trust intact for our common journey ahead.

What if I Do Not Migrate Now?

If, for some reason, you cannot upgrade your apps in the recommended timeframe, they will of course continue to function, and you will maintain and evolve them as needed depending on the end-of-January Telerik release as the latest possible one. Still, for all the reasons stated above, we warmly recommend upgrading to a supported framework version.

How Can You Prepare?

Please consider upgrading to the latest feasible framework version for your target infrastructure and audience. The versions above are only the minimal ones you may target.

To facilitate a smooth transition, Microsoft offers comprehensive resources to guide you through this process:

1. Migrate to newer .NET Framework: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/framework/migration-guide/

2. Migrate from .NET 5.0 to 6.0: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/aspnet/core/migration/50-to-60?view=aspnetcore-7.0&tabs=visual-studio

3. Migrate from .NET 3.1 to 6.0: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/aspnet/core/migration/31-to-60?view=aspnetcore-7.0&tabs=visual-studio

These resources provide step-by-step guidance, ensuring a seamless transition while taking advantage of the latest features and improvements.

Policy Update: Strict Adherence to Framework Support Lifecycle

Looking ahead, our commitment to your security and satisfaction includes adhering strictly to the framework support lifecycle. With the first official Telerik release following Microsoft’s framework version updates, we will sunset the support for any framework versions that have reached the end of their lifecycle. This proactive approach provides continued security and alignment with industry standards.

Looking Ahead: A Secure and Modern Future

We understand that change can be challenging for some of you, but this shift is a positive step toward a more secure, efficient and future-proof product experience.

We strive to stay up to date and provide the best toolset on the market by providing day-zero support for the newly released .NET v8.0 and now announcing the sunset of the versions that are no longer supported is part of the same journey.

We appreciate your continued support and look forward to delivering enhanced solutions that empower your success.

Your Feedback is Welcome

We count on your feedback on every step of our common journey. Please comment here or use our support center to tell us what you think of the upcoming change. Let’s shape the future together.