Unraveling the Mysteries of Changing the .NET Framework Version in Visual Studio 2019…

Are you feeling perplexed and bewildered in the world of software development? Fear not, as the .NET framework is here to provide the tools and libraries necessary for you to create magnificent applications. And what better way to develop these applications than with Visual Studio 2019, the reigning champion of Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) for .NET developers. Read on to discover how to change the .NET framework version in your Visual Studio 2019 project.

Step 1: The Mysterious Visual Studio Project

To begin your journey into the unknown, you must first open the Visual Studio project you wish to update with a shiny new .NET framework version. Once you have summoned this project from the depths, right-click on the project and select the “Properties” option from the mysterious context menu that emerges.

Step 2: Selecting the Enigmatic Target Framework

From the byzantine project properties window that appears before you, select the “Application” tab. Here you shall witness a dropdown list that contains a variety of different .NET framework versions that your project may support. Curiously, the default version will typically be the latest version that you have installed on your machine.

Step 3: Choosing a New .NET Framework Version

Now the real fun begins, as you choose a new .NET framework version to pair with your project in Visual Studio 2019. A plethora of versions await your perusal, including .NET Framework 4.8, 4.7.2, 4.7.1, and many more. However, if the version you seek is not in the list, you will need to install it first.

Step 4: Checking for Compatibility Issues

But beware, brave adventurer, for the path you tread is fraught with danger. Before making any changes to your project, you must first ensure there are no compatibility issues with the new .NET framework version. Fear not, for Visual Studio provides a tool of great power known as the “.NET Portability Analyzer” which you may use to check compatibility. To do this, open the “NuGet Package Manager Console” and conjure forth the following command:

Install-Package NETStandard.Library

This will install the .NET Portability Analyzer package. Now, from the main menu, select “Project” and then “Analyze” to summon the analyzer, which shall bring forth a report on how compatible your project is with the new .NET framework version.

Step 5: Updating the Mysterious NuGet Packages

It is quite possible that you shall require an update of the mysterious NuGet packages in your project to ensure they function correctly with the new .NET framework version. To do this, you must open the NuGet Package Manager and update all packages to the latest versions.

Step 6: Building and Testing Your Project

At last, you have reached the pinnacle of the arcane and enigmatic journey you have undertaken. After completing the previous steps, you must build and test your project, which may take some time depending on the size and complexity of your creation. If there are any errors or issues, you may need to repeat the previous steps until you resolve them.

Conclusion: A Brave New World Awaits

The world of software development can be a confusing and perplexing place. But fear not, for the .NET framework is here to provide the tools and libraries necessary for you to create magnificent applications. With our guide to changing the .NET framework version in your Visual Studio 2019 project, you shall be the master of your destiny in the brave new world of software development. Just remember to check for compatibility issues and update your NuGet packages to ensure your project runs smoothly with the new .NET framework version.