Last year Microsoft announced the game plan for .NET Core 3.0 and added that it would finally bring in this update this year. The upgrade will not only include support for Windows desktop applications, such as UWP XAML, Windows Presentation Framework (WPF), and Windows Forms but will also add the ability to run both new and existing Windows desktop applications on .NET Core 3.

From what we have been able to gauge so far, .NET Core 3 is not merely about Windows and desktop applications anymore -- it now extends its scope also to include cloud, and web features too. Though Windows support is not the only additional advantage, it offers. .NET Core 3.0 for desktop also provides benefits such as performance enhancements along with other runtime updates that deliver an improved user experience. Furthermore, it is also compatible with .NET Core CLI tools as well as SDK-style projects in Visual Studio! The updated framework also enables the seamless deployment of both application-local and machine-global and makes it quite straightforward to use or test new iterations of .NET Core for only one app on a machine.

Now, on to .NET Framework 4.7.2; though Microsoft released this version somewhat recently, it also announced its plan to introduce an upgrade, .NET Framework 4.8, when it announced the .NET Core 3 roadmap last year. Suffice it to say, this version of the .NET Framework will come loaded with a variety of improvements that will immensely benefit the .NET community.

Here are some of the new enhancements to .NET Framework 4.8 and .NET Core 3:

• Full access to the Windows 10 API a.k.a. WinRT.
  
• Ability to host UWP XAML controls in the Windows Presentation Framework as well as Windows Forms applications.
  
• Ability to host both Universal Windows Platform browser as well as media controls. It will facilitate the latest set of media and browser standards and content.
  

Now, companies that are planning to develop new desktop applications with .NET Core 3 will find ample assistance from Microsoft. However, what about existing .NET framework applications to .NET Core 3?

So, if you want to migrate your existing desktop applications to .NET Core 3, here's what you need to do:

1. Direct your current desktop applications to .NET Core 3 and recompile.
2. Update all the relevant project files to ensure that they too target .NET Core 3.
3. Finally, retarget and recompile dependencies to .NET Core 3 to leverage the additional benefits. You also have the choice to leave it as it is.
   

It is believed that .NET Core delivers considerably better performance as compared to the .NET Framework. Then there's also the fact that the release of .NET Core 3 will cut down the inconvenience typically associated with .NET development and migration, thanks to a decreased number of legacy restrictions. So, if you too want to transform your desktop applications, you should get in touch with a reputable vendor who offers ASP.NET application development services.