Microsoft Opens 2026 .NET Developer Survey to Gather Feedback From Developers Worldwide

Microsoft has opened its 2026 .NET Developer Survey, inviting developers around the world to share their experiences using the .NET platform and help shape its future direction.

Announced on November 5, 2026, the survey is designed to give Microsoft's .NET team a better understanding of how developers work with the platform, what they find useful, and which areas need improvement.

The questionnaire takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Microsoft is encouraging participation from developers with different levels of experience, including those maintaining older applications rather than working exclusively with the latest .NET releases.

Microsoft wants to understand developers' real experiences

The survey is intended to collect feedback about the everyday experience of building and maintaining software with .NET.

Microsoft wants to understand where the platform makes development easier, which parts create difficulties, and what changes developers would like to see.

This feedback can help the team identify common problems that may not be obvious from public discussions, support requests, or GitHub issues.

The company is also emphasizing that developers do not need to be using the newest version of .NET to participate. People responsible for older applications are equally encouraged to share their experiences.

That is important because many organizations continue to depend on software built with earlier versions of the platform. Their maintenance challenges and upgrade requirements are part of the broader .NET ecosystem.

Why the survey matters to the .NET ecosystem

.NET is used to build a wide range of applications, including websites, APIs, desktop software, cloud services, mobile applications, and enterprise systems.

As development practices and technologies evolve, Microsoft needs feedback from the people using the platform in real projects.

A developer building a new cloud application may have very different priorities from someone maintaining a large enterprise system or upgrading a legacy application.

By collecting responses from different types of developers, Microsoft can get a broader picture of how the platform is being used and where improvements could have the greatest impact.

The survey does not guarantee that every requested feature will be implemented. However, it gives developers a direct opportunity to communicate their needs to the team responsible for the platform.

Developers worldwide can participate

Microsoft says the survey is open to developers globally. Participants can share their experiences whether they use the latest .NET release or maintain applications built with older versions.

The questionnaire takes about 15 minutes, making it a relatively short opportunity for developers to contribute feedback.

Microsoft is also encouraging participants to share the survey with other .NET developers, particularly those who might not otherwise encounter the announcement.

Is there a reward for completing the survey?

Microsoft is offering an optional sweepstakes for eligible participants.

Developers who are residents of the United States or Puerto Rico, are at least 18 years old, complete the survey, and provide their email address at the end can enter for a chance to win one of 10 .NET-branded swag packages.

Each package has an approximate retail value of $15.

The sweepstakes is not available to participants worldwide, but the survey itself welcomes responses from developers in other countries. Participation in the survey does not require entering the sweepstakes.

According to Microsoft's announcement, the survey and sweepstakes close on November 16, 2026, at 5 p.m. Pacific Time.

How to take the 2026 .NET Developer Survey

Developers interested in participating can visit Microsoft's official .NET Blog announcement and follow the survey link.

The questionnaire takes approximately 15 minutes. Participants should answer based on their actual development experience, including the tools they use, the difficulties they encounter, and the improvements they would like to see.

Take the survey: Microsoft 2026 .NET Developer Survey

What this means for developers

Microsoft's 2026 survey is a reminder that the future of a development platform is influenced not only by its engineering team but also by the people who build and maintain software with it.

For developers, participating is an opportunity to highlight practical problems, suggest improvements, and help Microsoft understand how .NET is being used across different projects and industries.

The survey is not a preview of upcoming features or a report on developer trends. Its value will come from the feedback Microsoft receives and how the company uses that information to guide future investment in the platform.

For anyone working with .NET, taking a few minutes to contribute could help make the tools and development experience better for the wider community.