Key Recap: .NET Conf - Focus on Modernization 2025

Key Recap: .NET Conf - Focus on Modernization 2025

Exploring the Future of Legacy Applications and Smart Transformation

This April, Iron Software proudly joined the 2025 edition of .NET Conf: Focus on Modernization, a global virtual event dedicated to helping developers modernize their applications and workflows. Over two days (April 22–23), we saw hundreds of attendees tune in to gain practical insights on migrating to modern .NET, leveraging AI, improving DevOps practices, and more.

Modernization Isn’t Just About Upgrading Versions

Maintaining legacy code isn’t just difficult, it’s expensive. But as many developers know, modernization isn’t about rewriting everything from scratch. It's about striking a balance between innovation and continuity. Whether you’re updating a 10-year-old WinForms app or migrating a full-stack enterprise platform to the cloud, sessions throughout the event focused on how to evolve smarter, not harder.

Developer Takeaway: “Old Code Isn’t Bad Code”

A standout moment came from Scott Hanselman’s talk, where he posed a fascinating question:

“What if AI could upgrade your 20-year-old code?”

Scott challenged us to think beyond the hype of "new and shiny" AI tools, instead asking:

“Can AI modernize the software we wrote decades ago?”
From personal stories like his BabySmash app to enterprise-scale projects, Scott explored how older software can gain a second life with modern AI-assisted refactoring and .NET advancements.

It was a moment that resonated with many of us. As developers, we’ve all written code that’s outlived expectations, tools built in dorm rooms, side projects turned internal utilities, or apps built on frameworks that no longer exist. This session challenged us to stop seeing old code as a problem and instead treat it as a foundation to innovate on.

From AI-assisted refactoring to DevOps-driven deployments, modernization isn’t a one-size-fits-all checklist, it’s an ongoing process of making your software future-ready.

Upgrade Assistant = Your New Best Friend

Microsoft’s Upgrade Assistant has come a long way, it now supports step-by-step guidance to migrate .NET Framework apps to .NET 6/7/8 with built-in analyzers that flag compatibility issues early.

It’s not magic, but for large legacy apps, it saves a ton of time and risk. If you're modernizing an older app that interacts with IronPDF or IronOCR, for example, this tool ensures your ecosystem stays stable as you refactor.

Cloud-Native Development is the New Standard

The sessions really emphasized cloud readiness from Docker to Azure to AOT (Ahead-of-Time compilation). The .NET team showed how modern apps benefit from faster cold starts, smaller footprints, and better scaling with these techniques.

As developers building SDKs used in cloud environments, this aligns with how we optimize Iron Software tools, lightweight, no unnecessary dependencies, and ready to drop into modern CI/CD pipelines.

Maddy Montaquilla (Senior Product Manager) shared how .NET Aspire and .NET MAUI are enabling cleaner, faster cross-platform development.

Maddy showcased how .NET Aspire simplifies distributed app orchestration while MAUI makes cross-platform development more intuitive than ever. Her session highlighted ways to modernize both architecture and team workflows for cloud-native success.

Jerry Nixon : Principal Product Manager, Azure Data, Microsoft
Jerry delivered actionable strategies for teams migrating from .NET Framework to .NET 8+, incorporating tools like Data API Builder and SQL Server integration. He emphasized small, measurable improvements over "rip-and-replace" rewrites and how DevOps can make modernization sustainable.

Don’t Rewrite, Refactor

The takeaway from real-world case studies (like Stack Overflow and Clear Measure) was: don’t rebuild from scratch unless you absolutely have to. Migrate gradually, isolate changes, and move with confidence.

We've had customers modernize their apps while continuing to use IronXL or IronBarcode seamlessly , it's all about reducing risk while moving forward.

✅ Final Thought: Modernization is a Process, Not a Project

The event was a strong reminder that modernization is ongoing. .NET is evolving fast, and Microsoft’s tooling is making it easier to stay current whether you're running on-prem, in containers, or hybrid cloud.

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As we celebrate our 10th year at Iron Software, we’re more committed than ever to helping developers simplify, modernize, and scale their applications.

If you're ready to upgrade your stack, check out the full Iron Suite or get started with a free 30-day trial license.

Let’s keep building what’s next, together.