Latest Windows 2022 image 20260225.46.2 does not contain Apphost pack for .net8

[WizePony]

Description

error NETSDK1145: The Apphost pack is not installed and NuGet package restore is not supported. Upgrade Visual Studio, remove global.json if it specifies a certain SDK version, and uninstall the newer SDK. For more options visit https://aka.ms/targeting-apphost-pack-missing Pack Type:Apphost, Pack directory: C:\Program Files\dotnet\packs\Microsoft.NETCore.App.Host.win-x64, targetframework: net8.0, Pack PackageId: Microsoft.NETCore.App.Host.win-x64, Pack Package Version: 8.0.23 [D:\a\1\s\Source\Common\Ase.FeaturesCore\Ase.FeaturesCore.vcxproj]

NETSDK1145: Targeting or apphost pack missing - .NET CLI | Microsoft Learn
How to resolve the issue of targeting pack missing while NuGet package restore is not supported

Platforms affected

• Azure DevOps
• GitHub Actions - Standard Runners
• GitHub Actions - Larger Runners

Runner images affected

• Ubuntu 22.04
• Ubuntu 24.04
• Ubuntu Slim
• macOS 14
• macOS 14 Arm64
• macOS 15
• macOS 15 Arm64
• macOS 26
• macOS 26 Arm64
• Windows Server 2022
• Windows Server 2025
• Windows Server 2025 with Visual Studio 2026

Image version and build link

20260225.46.2

Is it regression?

20260217.39.1

Expected behavior

we can build C++/CLI projects.

Actual behavior

We cannot because apphost pack is missing for nuget restore

Repro steps

perform a build of a C++/CLI project that needs to restore nuget packages.

[WizePony]

This is a huge problem for my company Rapiscan because we can no longer do builds or pull-requests. Our whole workflow is paused because of this regression.

[WizePony]

I temporarily worked around this problem by adding the following at the bottom of the c++/CLI projects that targetted .net 8.
immediately after Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.targets"

<Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.targets" />
 <ItemGroup>
     <KnownAppHostPack Update="@(KnownAppHostPack)">
       <AppHostPackVersion Condition="'%(TargetFramework)' == 'net8.0'">8.0.24</AppHostPackVersion>
     </KnownAppHostPack>
     <KnownFrameworkReference Update="@(KnownFrameworkReference)">
       <TargetingPackVersion Condition="'%(TargetFramework)' == 'net8.0'">8.0.24</TargetingPackVersion>
     </KnownFrameworkReference>
   </ItemGroup>
 </Project>

I tried adding this to a Directory.Build.Targets file, but this did not work.
The only thing that worked was adding the ItemGroup to the bottom of each C++/CLI project that targeted .net 8.
This PR will of course have to be reverted when the root cause of the bad image is fixed.

[shamil-mubarakshin]

Hey @WizePony, thanks for reporting the issue.
Provided input is not enough for us to reproduce the issue and start troubleshooting.
Could you please provide us with a workflow/sample project to look into it for more details.
There were a few things updated since 20260217.39.1 (e.g. Visual Studio and .Net) and we would like to pinpoint which one could cause the regression

[WizePony]

Certainly @shamil-mubarakshin , the problem seems to be that it is trying to use .net 8.0.23 which is not part of the image>

here is a snippet for the nuget restore that is failing:

• task: PowerShell@2
  displayName: "Nuget Restore: Common"
  continueOnError: false
  inputs:
  targetType: 'inline'
  script: |
  & 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\2022\Enterprise\Common7\Tools\Launch-VsDevShell.ps1'
  msbuild -m -t:restore $(inputSolutionSourceDirectory)\Common.sln -p:RestoreUseSkipNonexistentTargets=false -p:RestoreConfigFile='$(inputSolutionSourceDirectory)\NugetForBuild\NuGet.Config'
  ignoreLASTEXITCODE: true
  pwsh: true

and here is an example project:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Project DefaultTargets="Build" ToolsVersion="15.0" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003">
  <ItemGroup Label="ProjectConfigurations">
    <ProjectConfiguration Include="Debug|x64">
      <Configuration>Debug</Configuration>
      <Platform>x64</Platform>
    </ProjectConfiguration>
    <ProjectConfiguration Include="Release|x64">
      <Configuration>Release</Configuration>
      <Platform>x64</Platform>
    </ProjectConfiguration>
  </ItemGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Label="Globals">
    <VCProjectVersion>15.0</VCProjectVersion>
    <ProjectGuid>{84F25E09-2E6B-46BF-A9C9-BC779812ED87}</ProjectGuid>
    <Keyword>ManagedCProj</Keyword>
    <RootNamespace>AseFeatures</RootNamespace>
    <TargetFramework>net8.0</TargetFramework>
    <WindowsTargetPlatformMinVersion>10.0.17763.0</WindowsTargetPlatformMinVersion>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|x64'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <UseDebugLibraries>true</UseDebugLibraries>
    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CLRSupport>NetCore</CLRSupport>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|x64'" Label="Configuration">
    <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
    <CLRSupport>NetCore</CLRSupport>
    <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
  <ImportGroup Label="PropertySheets" Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|x64'">
    <Import Project="$(UserRootDir)\Microsoft.Cpp.$(Platform).user.props" Condition="exists('$(UserRootDir)\Microsoft.Cpp.$(Platform).user.props')" Label="LocalAppDataPlatform" />
    <Import Project="..\..\Property Sheets\ManagedDebug_x64.props" />
  </ImportGroup>
  <ImportGroup Label="PropertySheets" Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|x64'">
    <Import Project="$(UserRootDir)\Microsoft.Cpp.$(Platform).user.props" Condition="exists('$(UserRootDir)\Microsoft.Cpp.$(Platform).user.props')" Label="LocalAppDataPlatform" />
    <Import Project="..\..\Property Sheets\ManagedRelease_x64.props" />
  </ImportGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Label="UserMacros" />
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|x64'">
    <LinkIncremental>true</LinkIncremental>
    <TargetName>Ase.Features</TargetName>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|x64'">
    <LinkIncremental>false</LinkIncremental>
    <TargetName>Ase.Features</TargetName>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|x64'">
    <Link />
    <ClCompile>
      <PrecompiledHeader>NotUsing</PrecompiledHeader>
      <PreprocessorDefinitions>ASEFEATURES_EXPORTS;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
    </ClCompile>
    <Link>
      <AdditionalOptions> /NOEXP %(AdditionalOptions)</AdditionalOptions>
    </Link>
  </ItemDefinitionGroup>
  <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|x64'">
    <ClCompile>
      <PrecompiledHeader>NotUsing</PrecompiledHeader>
      <PreprocessorDefinitions>ASEFEATURES_EXPORTS;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
    </ClCompile>
    <Link>
      <AdditionalOptions> /NOEXP %(AdditionalOptions)</AdditionalOptions>
    </Link>
  </ItemDefinitionGroup>
  <ItemGroup>
    <ClInclude Include="..\..\Include\NativeCommonFeatures.h" />
    <ClInclude Include="..\..\Include\NativeEquipmentFeatures.h" />
    <ClInclude Include="..\Ase.Features\CommonFeatures.h" />
    <ClInclude Include="..\Ase.Features\EquipmentFeatures.h" />
  </ItemGroup>
  <ItemGroup>
    <ClCompile Include="..\..\CommonAssemblyInfo.cpp">
      <PrecompiledHeader Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|x64'">NotUsing</PrecompiledHeader>
      <PrecompiledHeader Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|x64'">NotUsing</PrecompiledHeader>
    </ClCompile>
    <ClCompile Include="..\Ase.Features\AssemblyInfo.cpp" />
    <ClCompile Include="..\Ase.Features\CommonFeatures.cpp" />
    <ClCompile Include="..\Ase.Features\EquipmentFeatures.cpp" />
    <ClCompile Include="..\Ase.Features\NativeCommonFeatures.cpp">
      <CompileAsManaged Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|x64'">false</CompileAsManaged>
      <CompileAsManaged Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|x64'">false</CompileAsManaged>
    </ClCompile>
    <ClCompile Include="..\Ase.Features\NativeEquipmentFeatures.cpp">
      <CompileAsManaged Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|x64'">false</CompileAsManaged>
      <CompileAsManaged Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|x64'">false</CompileAsManaged>
    </ClCompile>
  </ItemGroup>
  <ItemGroup>
    <Reference Include="Ase.Configuration.Common">
      <HintPath>$(OuputPath)Ase.Configuration.Common.dll</HintPath>
      <Private>true</Private>
    </Reference>
    <Reference Include="Ase.Configuration.Interfaces" />
    <Reference Include="Castle.Windsor" />
    <Reference Include="NLog" />
    <Reference Include="WindsorExtensions" />
  </ItemGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.targets" />
  <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionTargets">
  </ImportGroup>
  <ItemGroup>
    <ProjectReference Include="..\Ase.Services.Interfaces\Ase.Services.Interfaces.csproj">
      <Project>{b2ad7f16-5775-4b21-ac27-84760d77d939}</Project>
    </ProjectReference>
  </ItemGroup>
  <ItemGroup>
    <FrameworkReference Include="Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App.WindowsForms" />
  </ItemGroup>
  <ItemGroup>
    <KnownAppHostPack Update="@(KnownAppHostPack)">
      <AppHostPackVersion Condition="'%(TargetFramework)' == 'net8.0'">8.0.24</AppHostPackVersion>
    </KnownAppHostPack>
    <KnownFrameworkReference Update="@(KnownFrameworkReference)">
      <TargetingPackVersion Condition="'%(TargetFramework)' == 'net8.0'">8.0.24</TargetingPackVersion>
    </KnownFrameworkReference>
  </ItemGroup>
</Project>

[WizePony]

Here is the error message :

---

** Visual Studio 2022 Developer PowerShell v17.14.27
** Copyright (c) 2025 Microsoft Corporation

---

MSBuild version 17.14.40+3e7442088 for .NET Framework
Build started 2/27/2026 2:26:00 PM.

 1>Project "D:\a\1\s\Source\Common.sln" on node 1 (Restore target(s)).
 1>ValidateSolutionConfiguration:
     Building solution configuration "Debug|x64".
   ValidateProjects:
     The project "ImageFileViewerSetup" is not selected for building in solution configuration "Debug|x64".
   _GetAllRestoreProjectPathItems:
     Determining projects to restore...
 1>Project "D:\a\1\s\Source\Common.sln" (1) is building "D:\a\1\s\Source\Common\Ase.FeaturesCore\Ase.FeaturesCore.vcxproj" (53:6) on node 1 (_GenerateRestoreGraphProjectEntry target(s)).
53>C:\Program Files\dotnet\sdk\10.0.102\Sdks\Microsoft.NET.Sdk\targets\Microsoft.NET.Sdk.FrameworkReferenceResolution.targets(190,5): error NETSDK1145: The Apphost pack is not installed and NuGet package restore is not supported. Upgrade Visual Studio, remove global.json if it specifies a certain SDK version, and uninstall the newer SDK. For more options visit   https://aka.ms/targeting-apphost-pack-missing  Pack Type:Apphost, Pack directory: C:\Program Files\dotnet\packs\Microsoft.NETCore.App.Host.win-x64, targetframework: net8.0, Pack PackageId: Microsoft.NETCore.App.Host.win-x64, Pack Package Version: 8.0.23 [D:\a\1\s\Source\Common\Ase.FeaturesCore\Ase.FeaturesCore.vcxproj]
53>Done Building Project "D:\a\1\s\Source\Common\Ase.FeaturesCore\Ase.FeaturesCore.vcxproj" (_GenerateRestoreGraphProjectEntry target(s)) -- FAILED.
 1>Project "D:\a\1\s\Source\Common.sln" (1) is building "D:\a\1\s\Source\Common\Imaging\Ase.ImageFactoryCore\Ase.ImageFactoryCore.vcxproj" (55:8) on node 1 (_GenerateRestoreGraphProjectEntry target(s)).
55>C:\Program Files\dotnet\sdk\10.0.102\Sdks\Microsoft.NET.Sdk\targets\Microsoft.NET.Sdk.FrameworkReferenceResolution.targets(190,5): error NETSDK1145: The Apphost pack is not installed and NuGet package restore is not supported. Upgrade Visual Studio, remove global.json if it specifies a certain SDK version, and uninstall the newer SDK. For more options visit   https://aka.ms/targeting-apphost-pack-missing  Pack Type:Apphost, Pack directory: C:\Program Files\dotnet\packs\Microsoft.NETCore.App.Host.win-x64, targetframework: net8.0, Pack PackageId: Microsoft.NETCore.App.Host.win-x64, Pack Package Version: 8.0.23 [D:\a\1\s\Source\Common\Imaging\Ase.ImageFactoryCore\Ase.ImageFactoryCore.vcxproj]
55>Done Building Project "D:\a\1\s\Source\Common\Imaging\Ase.ImageFactoryCore\Ase.ImageFactoryCore.vcxproj" (_GenerateRestoreGraphProjectEntry target(s)) -- FAILED.
 1>Project "D:\a\1\s\Source\Common.sln" (1) is building "D:\a\1\s\Source\Common\Ase.Rendering\Ase.RenderingCore\Ase.RenderingCore.vcxproj" (54:5) on node 1 (_GenerateRestoreGraphProjectEntry target(s)).
54>C:\Program Files\dotnet\sdk\10.0.102\Sdks\Microsoft.NET.Sdk\targets\Microsoft.NET.Sdk.FrameworkReferenceResolution.targets(190,5): error NETSDK1145: The Apphost pack is not installed and NuGet package restore is not supported. Upgrade Visual Studio, remove global.json if it specifies a certain SDK version, and uninstall the newer SDK. For more options visit   https://aka.ms/targeting-apphost-pack-missing  Pack Type:Apphost, Pack directory: C:\Program Files\dotnet\packs\Microsoft.NETCore.App.Host.win-x64, targetframework: net8.0, Pack PackageId: Microsoft.NETCore.App.Host.win-x64, Pack Package Version: 8.0.23 [D:\a\1\s\Source\Common\Ase.Rendering\Ase.RenderingCore\Ase.RenderingCore.vcxproj]
54>Done Building Project "D:\a\1\s\Source\Common\Ase.Rendering\Ase.RenderingCore\Ase.RenderingCore.vcxproj" (_GenerateRestoreGraphProjectEntry target(s)) -- FAILED.
 1>Project "D:\a\1\s\Source\Common.sln" (1) is building "D:\a\1\s\Source\Common\Ase.ServicesCore\Ase.ServicesCore.vcxproj" (56:4) on node 1 (_GenerateRestoreGraphProjectEntry target(s)).
56>C:\Program Files\dotnet\sdk\10.0.102\Sdks\Microsoft.NET.Sdk\targets\Microsoft.NET.Sdk.FrameworkReferenceResolution.targets(190,5): error NETSDK1145: The Apphost pack is not installed and NuGet package restore is not supported. Upgrade Visual Studio, remove global.json if it specifies a certain SDK version, and uninstall the newer SDK. For more options visit   https://aka.ms/targeting-apphost-pack-missing  Pack Type:Apphost, Pack directory: C:\Program Files\dotnet\packs\Microsoft.NETCore.App.Host.win-x64, targetframework: net8.0, Pack PackageId: Microsoft.NETCore.App.Host.win-x64, Pack Package Version: 8.0.23 [D:\a\1\s\Source\Common\Ase.ServicesCore\Ase.ServicesCore.vcxproj]
56>Done Building Project "D:\a\1\s\Source\Common\Ase.ServicesCore\Ase.ServicesCore.vcxproj" (_GenerateRestoreGraphProjectEntry target(s)) -- FAILED.
 1>Done Building Project "D:\a\1\s\Source\Common.sln" (Restore target(s)) -- FAILED.

Build FAILED.

[WizePony]

it failed when I did not have the

  <ItemGroup>
    <KnownAppHostPack Update="@(KnownAppHostPack)">
      <AppHostPackVersion Condition="'%(TargetFramework)' == 'net8.0'">8.0.24</AppHostPackVersion>
    </KnownAppHostPack>
    <KnownFrameworkReference Update="@(KnownFrameworkReference)">
      <TargetingPackVersion Condition="'%(TargetFramework)' == 'net8.0'">8.0.24</TargetingPackVersion>
    </KnownFrameworkReference>
  </ItemGroup>

at the end of the project file

[WizePony]

@shamil-mubarakshin, any update on this? The workaround we have employed will have to be undone when you fix the problem, and right now this is causing us grief merging the workaround to all of our active branches

[shamil-mubarakshin]

@WizePony, @nvonada,
Thanks for the example project, I have reproduced the issue in both GitHub Actions and Azure DevOps Pipelines, e.g. in actions.
Apart from the workaround using KnownAppHostPack and TargetingPackVersion, installing .Net 10.0.103 in runtime also helps, e.g. in actions. Which makes me think pinning .Net 10.0.102 is the root cause.
In Actions:

      - uses: actions/setup-dotnet@v5
        with:
          dotnet-version: '10.0.x'

In Pipelines UseDotNet@2 didn't workaround in my case, direct download did:

  - pwsh: |
      $env:TEMP_DIR = "c:\temp"
      $SDKVersion = "latest"

      $zipPath = Join-Path ([IO.Path]::GetTempPath()) ([IO.Path]::GetRandomFileName())
      $InstallScriptPath = Invoke-DownloadWithRetry -Url "https://dot.net/v1/dotnet-install.ps1"
      & $InstallScriptPath -Version $SDKVersion -InstallDir $(Join-Path -Path $env:ProgramFiles -ChildPath 'dotnet') -ZipPath $zipPath -KeepZip

.Net 10.0.102 was pinned as a response to the reported bug with .Net 10.0.103 on the image. There are no plans on bringing 10.0.103 back.
Once released, 10.0.104 will be included instead, which is expected next week. Please use workarounds until then