Microsoft Releases New Dotnetup Command-Line Tool

The new tool simplifies managing multiple .NET SDKs and runtimes on a single workstation.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Software

Isometric editorial illustration of clean, modular server blade components, representing the technical management of software environments. — Microsoft released the dotnetup command-line tool, a new utility allowing developers to manage multiple .NET SDKs and runtimes on a single machine. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Would you use a centralized command-line tool to manage your software development environments?

Microsoft has launched a public preview of the dotnetup command-line tool, designed to help developers manage multiple .NET versions on one machine. By installing SDKs into personal directories, the tool minimizes the need for administrative privileges.

Why it matters

The tool streamlines environment management by allowing developers to easily isolate specific .NET versions for testing and builds. It also enhances automation capabilities by integrating directly with continuous integration platforms like GitHub Actions.

The dotnetup tool installs .NET SDKs and runtimes in user-specified directories and allows for migrations of existing environments into its managed structure. It utilizes curl for macOS and Linux, while employing PowerShell tools for Windows support.

The players

Microsoft

Microsoft is a multinational technology corporation that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports software, services, and hardware devices.

The details

Developers manage their environments by prefixing standard dotnet commands with dotnetup, which enables precise targeting of specific versions. The tool includes sample YAML configurations to assist with deployment in automated continuous integration workflows.

October 29, 2026: Microsoft released the public preview of dotnetup.

The Tech Race

This release follows the broader trend of containerized and isolated development environments established by platforms like GitHub Actions. It replaces rigid, system-wide installation methods with a modular approach that allows for greater flexibility across different operating systems.

Developers can now test multiple .NET versions on a single machine without requiring elevated system permissions or complex virtual machines. This simplifies daily coding workflows and reduces configuration errors when switching between different project requirements.

The takeaway

The dotnetup tool provides a practical solution for developers who frequently struggle with conflicting .NET dependencies on their workstations. By isolating SDKs in user directories, it allows for cleaner environments and more reliable build processes.