How do I convert a C# Windows Forms App project to a C# Windows Forms App (.NET Framework) project in Visual Studio?

Question

I need some help and I am hoping you know how to do it. I am currently in school and I initially created my entire C# final project using a "Windows Forms App" project template in Visual Studio 2022 and have done all my work under that so far. Do you know how I can convert my current project from regular Windows Forms App to the Windows Forms App(.Net Framework) version ? I really can't afford to start this entire project from scratch by creating a new Windows Forms App(.NET Framework) project.

See the image below to understand what I mean. I made the program using the template in the red square but I need it to be the one in the green square.

Answer 1

Hi, @Osamah Hadi

You can't simply convert from .NET to .NET Framework.
Please create a new Winform project and try the steps below.

. Net and. Net Framework code are different. You need to modify program.cs file.

namespace WinFormsApp1
{
    internal static class Program
    {
        /// <summary>
        ///  The main entry point for the application.
        /// </summary>
        [STAThread]
        static void Main()
        {
            // To customize application configuration such as set high DPI settings or default font,
            // see https://aka.ms/applicationconfiguration.
            ApplicationConfiguration.Initialize();
            Application.Run(new Form1());
        }
    }
}

.NET Framework:

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Threading.Tasks;
using System.Windows.Forms;

namespace WindowsFormsApp1
{
    internal static class Program
    {
        /// <summary>
        /// The main entry point for the application.
        /// </summary>
        [STAThread]
        static void Main()
        {
            Application.EnableVisualStyles();
            Application.SetCompatibleTextRenderingDefault(false);
            Application.Run(new Form1());
        }
    }
}

Modify the Winform.csproj file.

<TargetFramework>net6.0-windows</TargetFramework> to <TargetFramework>.NETFramework,Version=v4.7.2</TargetFramework> Remove content below that not supported in .NET Framework:

  <Nullable>enable</Nullable> 
<ImplicitUsings>enable</ImplicitUsings>

Save and reopen the project after modifying the above content. There are many errors, which are caused by missing reference namespaces.

E.g.

using System;

using System.Windows.Forms;

Now the Winform project will be able to compile and run.

Summarize:

1.Update project references: update project references to accommodate .NET Framework 4.8. Removed references specific to .NET 6 and added references to .NET Framework 4.8.

2.Change Namespace: change the namespace to accommodate the structure of a .NET Framework 4.8 project.

3.Change incompatible APIs: Based on features and APIs that are not supported in .NET Framework 4.8, manually change your code to use .NET Framework 4.8-compatible alternatives or workarounds.

Best regards,

Minxin Yu

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