Visual Studio 2019 Net 5 ASP.NET Core WebApp Error MSB3644 The reference assemblies for .NETFramework,Version=v5.0 were not found

Question

I create a project as per the screenshots and the following error appears when I try to Build or Run.

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 WebApplication1 C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\Professional\MSBuild\Current\Bin\Microsoft.Common.CurrentVersion.targets 1177

Below is my about screen, shouldn't show with Net Version 5.0 as opposed to Version 4.8.03752?

If I visit the following link: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/framework/install/guide-for-developers

It states that my NET version was part of my Visual Studio 2019 (16.3 update)

Answer 1

.NET 5 is actually .NET Core 5 and replaces .NET 4.x. New development continues on the .NET Core line only. .NET Old will only get fixes from now on. That's why you won't see any .NET Old versions beyond 4.8 in Visual Studio.

.NET 5 is supported in the latest Visual Studio version, 16.8. You need to upgrade to the latest version. The final of both .NET 5 and Visual Studio 16.8 were released yesterday during dotNETConf 2020. You can find the first day's sessions in .NET's YouTube channel.

The sessions explain what .NET 5 is, what's new, how to port existing applications from .NET Framework 4.x to .NET 5 including desktop applications like Windows Forms and WPF applications.

Some early .NET 5 previews were supported in 16.7 but the latest previews and RC versions were only supported on 16.8