Which technology to learn and questions about acquiring a career

Question

Hello.

I used to work at a small startup about 7 years ago working with C# and .NET, doing stuff with SharePoint and CRM, and other stuff, being self-taught. Since then I have not done that much coding.

I would like to return to a work as a computer programmer, but my skills are rusty, and I am behind on C# and .NET. I had worked with .NET 4.5 and earlier versions, but now there is .NET 5+. So I have to rebuild my skills. Also, I am concerned that no one will hire me since I do not have a CS degree. What should I do about this?

I cannot decide if I want to write Web Applications, or Desktop Applications, or both. Maybe I should just learn both. I know that for Desktop Apps, there are at least 3 Frameworks for Windows only: WinForms, WPF, and Win UI 3. There is also Desktop Blazor. These are all .NET APIs. I cannot decide which one to learn. I don't know if I am allowed to mention non-Microsoft programming languages but I was thinking of trying to master Java or Go or some other language. I also was thinking of trying to master MFC in C++.

Since this is a .NET forum, I will stay on the subject of .NET technologies. I really don't know which one to learn. I want to choose one that will let me make the best UI possible (and I never was good at making great UIs), and that will give me the best career opportunity possible.

Also, what should I do about not having a degree?

I know this is a little off-topic, but it is .NET related.