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Configure C# language version

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Warning

Setting the LangVersion element to latest is discouraged. The latest setting means the installed compiler uses its latest version. That can change from machine to machine, making builds unreliable. In addition, it enables language features that may require runtime or library features not included in the current SDK.

If you must specify your C# version explicitly, you can do so in several ways:

Tip

You can see the language version in Visual Studio in the project properties page. Under the Build tab, the Advanced pane displays the version selected.

To know what language version you're currently using, put #error version (case sensitive) in your code. This makes the compiler report a compiler error, CS8304, with a message containing the compiler version being used and the current selected language version. See #error (C# Reference) for more information.

Why you can't select a different C# version in Visual Studio

In Visual Studio, the option to change the language version through the UI might be disabled because the default version is aligned with the project's target framework (TFM). This default configuration ensures compatibility between language features and runtime support.

For example, changing the target TFM (e.g., from .NET 6 to .NET 9) will update the language version accordingly, from C# 10 to C# 13. This approach prevents issues with runtime compatibility and minimizes unexpected build errors due to unsupported language features.

If you need a specific language version that differs from the one automatically selected, refer to the methods below to override the default settings directly in the project file.

Edit the project file

You can set the language version in your project file. For example, if you explicitly want access to preview features, add an element like this:

<PropertyGroup>
   <LangVersion>preview</LangVersion>
</PropertyGroup>

The value preview uses the latest available preview C# language version that your compiler supports.

Configure multiple projects

To configure multiple projects, you can create a Directory.Build.props file, typically in your solution directory, that contains the <LangVersion> element. Add the following setting to the Directory.Build.props file:

<Project>
 <PropertyGroup>
   <LangVersion>preview</LangVersion>
 </PropertyGroup>
</Project>

Builds in all subdirectories of the directory containing that file now use the preview C# version. For more information, see Customize your build.

C# language version reference

The following table shows all current C# language versions. Older compilers might not understand every value. If you install the latest .NET SDK, you have access to everything listed.

Value Meaning
preview The compiler accepts all valid language syntax from the latest preview version.
latest The compiler accepts syntax from the latest released version of the compiler (including minor version).
latestMajor
or default		 The compiler accepts syntax from the latest released major version of the compiler.
13.0 The compiler accepts only syntax that is included in C# 13 or lower.
12.0 The compiler accepts only syntax that is included in C# 12 or lower.
11.0 The compiler accepts only syntax that is included in C# 11 or lower.
10.0 The compiler accepts only syntax that is included in C# 10 or lower.
9.0 The compiler accepts only syntax that is included in C# 9 or lower.
8.0 The compiler accepts only syntax that is included in C# 8.0 or lower.
7.3 The compiler accepts only syntax that is included in C# 7.3 or lower.
7.2 The compiler accepts only syntax that is included in C# 7.2 or lower.
7.1 The compiler accepts only syntax that is included in C# 7.1 or lower.
7 The compiler accepts only syntax that is included in C# 7.0 or lower.
6 The compiler accepts only syntax that is included in C# 6.0 or lower.
5 The compiler accepts only syntax that is included in C# 5.0 or lower.
4 The compiler accepts only syntax that is included in C# 4.0 or lower.
3 The compiler accepts only syntax that is included in C# 3.0 or lower.
ISO-2
or 2		 The compiler accepts only syntax that is included in ISO/IEC 23270:2006 C# (2.0).
ISO-1
or 1		 The compiler accepts only syntax that is included in ISO/IEC 23270:2003 C# (1.0/1.2).