.NET 10 and Visual Studio 2026: The New Era of Microsoft Development
Microsoft launches .NET 10, the most productive and secure version to date, along with Visual Studio 2026. Discover the key new features.
Microsoft has launched .NET 10 along with Visual Studio 2026, marking a new chapter in enterprise software development. This version is described as “the most productive, modern, secure, intelligent, and highest-performing version of .NET to date.”
.NET 10: Focus on AI and Performance
Microsoft Agent Framework
One of the most important new features is the new Microsoft Agent Framework, which combines two existing tools:
- Semantic Kernel
- AutoGen
This unified framework allows developers to build AI systems where multiple agents work together or execute tasks in sequence. Ideal for enterprise applications that need AI orchestration.
Improved Performance
.NET 10 offers significant performance improvements in:
- Application startup time
- Memory usage
- Throughput in high concurrency scenarios
Visual Studio 2026: Decoupled IDE
Decoupling of IDE and Build Tools
An important architectural change: .NET and C++ compilers are no longer tied to the Visual Studio version. This means:
- Update the IDE without affecting your toolchains
- Greater flexibility in the update cycle
- Fewer version conflicts
Guaranteed Compatibility
- Visual Studio 2022 projects work directly
- Over 4,000 extensions compatible from day one
- Frictionless migration
December Security Updates
The December 2025 Patch Tuesday included:
- 56 new security patches
- Fixes for Windows, Office, Exchange Server
- Updates for Azure, PowerShell, and Windows Defender
Important Note
Microsoft announced there will be no optional preview update in December due to the holiday season.
EF Core Considerations
If you use Entity Framework Core 9 with .NET 10, there’s a known issue that requires updating to EF Core 9.0.12. The fix has already been implemented on GitHub.
What Does This Mean for Your Company?
Immediate Benefits
- Simplified AI development thanks to the Agent Framework
- Better performance without code changes
- More flexible updates with the decoupled IDE
- Reinforced security with the latest patches
Migration Considerations
- Verify EF Core compatibility
- Review Visual Studio extensions
- Plan toolchain update
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