📢 Microsoft to offer .NET Core 2.1, 3.1, and .NET 5.0 updates through Microsoft Update

Starting December 2020, Microsoft will start delivering the .NET Core updates on Windows via Microsoft Update (MU). This will benefit the .NET Core applications that are using the Framework Dependent Deployment model. The apps that use the Self-Contained Deployment model, won't have any effect.

If you don't want to use the Microsoft Update service to update the .NET Core runtimes in your system, you can easily turn that OFF. Continue reading further to know more about this process.

If you are using .NET Core applications, you might have seen that the .NET Core updates are not being delivered via the Microsoft Update service. But now, based on the feedback particularly from organizations, Microsoft decided to push those via the Microsoft Update.

All the .NET Core 2.1, .NET Core 3.1, and .NET 5.0 updates will now be available through this.

What is Microsoft Update?

If you are not familiar with the term "Microsoft Update", it is part of the Windows Update service which typically installs the updates automatically, with no action required.

You must opt-in to get the updates from Microsoft Update by enabling the "Receive updates for other Microsoft products when you update Windows" toggle in Windows 10 Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Advanced options page.

When enabled, all major and minor versions of .NET Core 2.1/3.1 or .NET 5.0 updates will be automatically installed overnight from now onwards. You can also choose to install these updates immediately if you see a list of updates available.

How to block .NET Core updates offered by Microsoft Update?

When the "Receive updates for other Microsoft products when you update Windows" toggle is turned OFF, you won't receive the updates as the Microsoft Update service itself is turned OFF. But when the service is enabled but you don't want the .NET Core updates through it, you can easily turn it OFF by following the steps mentioned below:

1. Open the Windows Registry Editor (regedit).
2. Perform either of the following steps:

• To block all .NET Core updates, create a DWORD key "BlockMU" under [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\.NET] and set its value to 1.
• To block all .NET 5.0 updates, create a DWORD key "BlockMU" under [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\.NET\5.0] and set its value to 1.
• To block all .NET Core 3.1 updates, create a DWORD key "BlockMU" under [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\.NET\3.1] and set its value to 1.
• To block all .NET Core 2.1 updates, create a DWORD key "BlockMU" under [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\.NET\2.1] and set its value to 1.

The .NET Core servicing updates replace the previous updates for the same major/minor version. If files being replaced are in use, the installer bundle will signal the need for a reboot to Windows. If multiple updates are being installed from Windows Update or Microsoft Update then Windows will automatically install multiple updates at once and then reboot just once.