The time to plan your upgrade to uSkinned Site Builder for Umbraco 13 is here.
As technology moves forward, it’s important to stay informed about key changes that could affect your website. If your site is currently running on Umbraco 10 with uSkinned Site Builder v3, you may already know that this version is built on .NET 6. However, .NET 6 is fast approaching its end of life on 12th November 2024, which means it’s time to start thinking about your next steps.
While Umbraco 10 will continue to be supported until June 2025, the end of support for the underlying .NET 6 framework means you should begin planning an upgrade to Umbraco 13 (with uSkinned Site Builder v6), which is built on the latest .NET 8 platform. Not only does Umbraco 13 offer long-term support until 14th December 2026, but it also brings performance enhancements, security updates, and new features.
In this article, we’ll walk you through why this upgrade is so important and how it can be easier than you might think.
What Happens When .NET 6 Reaches End of Life?
After 12th November 2024, .NET 6 will no longer receive security patches, bug fixes, or performance updates. This leaves any sites running on this version of the framework potentially exposed to security risks and performance degradation over time.
It’s worth noting that Umbraco 10 itself remains supported until June 2025, but running it on an unsupported version of .NET is not advisable. For more details on .NET 6’s end of life, you can refer to Microsoft’s announcement.
Why Consider Upgrading to Umbraco 13 (uSkinned Site Builder v6)?
If you’re running Umbraco 10 with uSkinned Site Builder v3, upgrading to Umbraco 13 (uSkinned Site Builder v6) offers several compelling benefits:
Stay Secure and Supported
Umbraco 13 is built on .NET 8, which will be supported by Microsoft until December 2026. This means your site will continue to benefit from the latest security patches and updates for several more years, keeping it safe and stable.
Performance Enhancements
The transition from .NET 6 to .NET 8 offers significant performance improvements. With faster execution times and optimised resource management, your website will run more efficiently, providing users with a better experience.
New Features and Functionality
uSkinned Site Builder v6 for Umbraco 13 comes with a host of new features that enhance content management and improve site functionality. Whether you’re looking to streamline workflows, improve SEO, or simply make day-to-day content updates easier, the upgrade will introduce new tools to help you manage your site more effectively.
A Smooth Upgrade Path
One of the best things about uSkinned Site Builder v3 is that it was designed with easy upgrades in mind. Moving from Umbraco 10 to Umbraco 13 (with Site Builder v6) is straightforward, and we’ve put together a detailed step-by-step guide to help you through the process.
You can read our upgrade guide.
Compatibility
With every major release of Umbraco CMS, we release a major version of uSkinned Site Builder.
.NET | Umbraco | uSkinned Site Builder |
---|---|---|
.NET 4 | Umbraco 8 | uSkinned Site Builder 1 |
.NET 5 | Umbraco 9 | uSkinned Site Builder 2 |
.NET 6 | Umbraco 10 (LTS) | uSkinned Site Builder 3 |
.NET 7 | Umbraco 11 | uSkinned Site Builder 4 |
.NET 7 | Umbraco 12 | uSkinned Site Builder 5 |
.NET 8 | Umbraco 13 (LTS) | uSkinned Site Builder 6 |
For more information, please read our changelog.
Timing Your Upgrade
While Umbraco 10 is supported until June 2025, the .NET 6 end-of-life date in November 2024 is a key milestone. We recommend planning your upgrade well in advance to ensure your site remains secure and up to date.
The transition to Umbraco 13 (Site Builder v6) is not only about security – it’s an opportunity to take advantage of the latest advancements in the platform and make sure your site continues to deliver the best possible experience for your users.
Preparing for Your Upgrade
Upgrading from Umbraco 10 to Umbraco 13 may seem like a big step, but with uSkinned Site Builder v3, the process is designed to be straightforward. Here are a few key steps to help ensure a smooth transition:
Audit Your Current Site
Before you begin the upgrade, take some time to review your current setup. Check for any custom code, integrations, or third-party applications that might need updating to ensure they’re compatible with Umbraco 13.
Set Up a Test Environment
As with any major upgrade, it’s a good idea to test the process in a staging environment before going live. This gives you the chance to identify any potential issues and fix them before they impact your live site.
Follow the uSkinned Upgrade Guide
We’ve put together a comprehensive guide to help you through the upgrade process. Whether you’re upgrading from Umbraco 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12, this step-by-step resource covers everything you need to know. You can find the full guide here.
Don’t Leave It Until the Last Minute
With .NET 6 reaching end of life in November 2024, now is the time to start planning your upgrade. The process of moving from Umbraco 10 to Umbraco 13 can be straightforward, especially if you allow yourself enough time to test and implement the changes properly.
Future-proofing your website with Umbraco 13 and .NET 8 ensures you’ll benefit from the latest security updates, performance enhancements, and features well into 2026. Don’t wait until the last minute – get started today and enjoy peace of mind knowing your site is running on a secure, modern platform.
#h5yr
Easy to Upgrade or Get Started
Existing Users
Follow our detailed upgrade guide to transition to the latest version of uSkinned Site Builder and Umbraco 13.
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About the author
Marc Love
Co-founder and Technical Lead at uSkinned.