Orchard 1.11 release, use SLNX solution file format - This week in Orchard (16/01/2026)
The wait is over: version 1.11 of Orchard CMS is finally here! In this post, we will cover everything you need to know about this release, including the improvements to Orchard Core, such as adding content lifecycle docs and using the SLNX solution file format. Without further ado, let's dive in!
Orchard Core updates
Content life cycle docs
When you are a newcomer in Orchard Core, it could be challenging to understand how the content life cycle works in the content management system. You know that your content item can have different versions like Draft, Published, Unpublished, but what are the differences between these content item versions?
Hisham Bin Ateya has added some lines to the Orchard Core documentation to help you understand the content life cycle in Orchard Core.
Use SLNX file format
For years, we have been using Visual Studio's solution file (*.SLN) format, and while it's a core part of Orchard Core's project organization, the experience hasn't always been smooth. Whether you've been modifying, maintaining, or resolving merge conflicts, it often feels more like a hassle than it should.
Microsoft made several improvements with the new solution file format to enhance the experience. These changes include a more readable, editable structure, the use of XML, and the preservation of whitespace and comments for better organization. The new format is minimalistic, optimizing performance for faster load times and reducing merge conflicts in version control. It also ensures compatibility with older Visual Studio versions and aligns with certain MSBuild conventions for smoother integration with other tools.
Thanks to Antoine Griffard, Orchard Core now uses this simpler XML format for the solution file.
News from the community
Orchard 1.11 Released
The wait is over: version 1.11 of Orchard CMS (the legacy version of Orchard) is finally here with more than 650 changes from 100+ contributors! You only had to wait 2 months short of 10 years since 1.10, but it was worth it! :)
Check out the release notes for the breaking changes, bugfixes, new features, and the performance improvements! Thanks to all of the contributors who made this release happen! Update your project now for better performance, security, and usability, or upgrade to Orchard Core for even more awesomeness!
We have a fair amount of experience with migrating different sites from Orchard 1 to Orchard Core. For example, we migrated Folkways. We also had the chance to apply our knowledge on our main site, Orchard Dojo, Hastlayer, and DotNest. There was a good reason to migrate: Orchard Core offers better performance, modularity, and development experience than Orchard 1.
As Orchard Core grows in popularity, so does our experience with it. If you'd like to take advantage of the platform's various improvements, don't hesitate to reach out to us here.
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