Visual studio 2019 v16.6 can't build .net5 console application and raise errors: .NETFramework,Version=v5.0 were not found

Question

Development Environment:

• Visual studio 2019 v16.6.2 is installed
• .Net5 preview 5 is installed

Microsoft.NETCore.App 5.0.0-preview.5.20278.1 [C:\Program Files\dotnet\shared\Microsoft.NETCore.App]

• Enable the designer in Visual Studio

Tools > Options > Environment > Preview Features and select the Use the preview Windows Forms designer for .NET Core apps option. > re-start vs

I followed the instructions in this answer

I created a demo console project in .net5

<Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk">

  <PropertyGroup>
    <OutputType>Exe</OutputType>
    <TargetFramework>net5.0</TargetFramework>
  </PropertyGroup>  
</Project>

Then build and run using dotnet cli is ok

dotnet build  #ok
dotnet run # ok

Trying to build the project in visual studio fail with errors

Error MSB3644 The reference assemblies for .NETFramework,Version=v5.0 were not found. To resolve this, install the Developer Pack (SDK/Targeting Pack) for this framework version or retarget your application. You can download .NET Framework Developer Packs at https://aka.ms/msbuild/developerpacks

Error NETSDK1005 Assets file 'F:\projects\Net5Demo\obj\project.assets.json' doesn't have a target for '.NETFramework,Version=v5.0'. Ensure that restore has run and that you have included 'net50' in the TargetFrameworks for your project.

What I missed to build and run the project using vs 2019 v16.6.2 ?

Answer 1

As per https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet/5.0 it looks like you also need VS 2019 16.8 preview 3 for it to recognize it.

Edit: I was having the same issue and after I installed VS 2019 16.8 preview 3 it started showing the option to use .NET 5.0.