However, with the release of (64-bit) and the continued shift toward .NET Core/.NET 5+, many developers wonder: Does the Ajax Control Toolkit still work?
<system.web> <controls> <add tagPrefix="ajaxToolkit" namespace="AjaxControlToolkit" assembly="AjaxControlToolkit"/> </controls> </system.web> <%@ Register TagPrefix="ajaxToolkit" Namespace="AjaxControlToolkit" Assembly="AjaxControlToolkit" %> 5. Use the ToolkitScriptManager Replace the standard ScriptManager with: ajax control toolkit visual studio 2022
Install-Package AjaxControlToolkit The automatic Toolbox integration is broken. Add this manually: However, with the release of (64-bit) and the
The Ajax Control Toolkit was last officially updated in (version 20.1.0). It was built for older WebForms and the now-deprecated System.Web.Extensions . While the runtime can function in .NET Framework 4.8 projects opened in VS2022, the design-time experience is severely degraded. How to Make It Work in VS2022 (If You Must) If you are maintaining a legacy WebForms application and cannot rewrite it yet, follow these steps: 1. Use .NET Framework 4.8 Create or open a project targeting .NET Framework 4.8 . Do not attempt .NET 5+. 2. Install the NuGet Package Skip the old Codeplex installer. Use NuGet: Add this manually: The Ajax Control Toolkit was
For existing projects, treat ACT as technical debt. Budget time to refactor those extenders into modern HTML/CSS/JavaScript patterns. Your future self (and your users) will thank you. Have you successfully migrated from ACT? Share your experience in the comments below.
Yes, with significant caveats. But you should plan to migrate away. Compatibility Status | Component | Status | |-----------|--------| | Visual Studio 2022 | Partially compatible (manual steps required) | | .NET Framework 4.8 | Fully supported (the toolkit's last compatible runtime) | | .NET 6 / 7 / 8 | ❌ Not supported | | Design-time support | Broken (Toolbox icons missing, drag-and-drop unreliable) | | Runtime behavior | Works if manually registered |