Use the dotnetup preview channel

The preview channel selects the latest available preview or GoLive .NET release. If no active preview is available, the resolver selects an active release.

Install a preview SDK

dotnetup sdk install preview

The tracked specification remains preview. A later update can move it to a newer preview:

dotnetup sdk update

Install preview runtimes

Select one or more runtime components:

dotnetup runtime install runtime@preview aspnetcore@preview

The Windows Desktop runtime is available only on Windows:

dotnetup runtime install windowsdesktop@preview

Pin one prerelease version

Use the full version from the published release metadata when you need one specific prerelease. Replace <sdk-version> with that full version:

dotnetup sdk install <sdk-version>

An exact prerelease version is pinned, so update commands do not advance it. Use the preview channel when you want the latest available preview instead.

Preview and daily are different

The preview channel uses published release metadata. A daily channel uses daily-build endpoints and can select builds that are not published previews. For more information, see Daily channels.

Remove the preview requirement

dotnetup sdk uninstall preview

This command removes the explicit preview specification. Files remain if another specification still requires them.