Microsoft .net Framework 2.0 3.0 3.5

[Rhoda Siket]

Sothe windows have different versions of .net framework, 1.0, 1.1, 2.0, 3.0, 3.5 along with Service packs for particular frameworks. Now my windows have several versions of the said frameworks and what confuses me is that are these uninstallable or installable? Can I remove older versions If I am just using let's say 3.5 or 4.0 with ASP.NET and Visual Studio?

In Uninstall a program and Turn Windows features on or off, you can probably find one or two latest versions. Currently, I have .NET Framework 3.5.1 as "Windows feature", and .NET Framework 4.0 in "Uninstall a program". I would not expect any other versions here, since a program compiled for .NET Framework 2.0 will run fine on a machine with .NET Framework 3.5. As a proof, compile a Hello World targeting .NET Framework 2.0 and start it: it starts.

In C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework, you would rather find every version, from 1.0.3705 to 4.0. Why? Because every new version of the framework adds features to the older versions, instead of rewriting everything. Here, I would strongly discourage to remove even the directory v2.0.50727. Probably the most recent programs written in Visual Studio 2010 and compiled to run with .NET Framework 4.0 still require 2.0 components.

When downloading .NET Framework setup executable, you don't have to think about older versions, as well as you don't have to download every version from 1.0 to 4.0. Download only the most recent one, it will be fine.

Note: it is essential to understand that the different versions are not standalone, but rather change or add something from/to the older versions. That's all the stuff about references to .NET Framework assemblies. For example, you could have a strange situation: a basic application which uses WCF (WCF was released in .NET 3.0) runs well on a machine which has only .NET Framework 2.0 installed, but crashes only when trying to execute something related to WCF: assemblies are loaded on demand, so until you require a component from .NET Framework 3.0, components from older versions will be used.

The operating system itself does not need .NET Framework to function properly. But some components require .NET Framework. As ChrisF said, Microsoft XPS Viewer/Printer is an example. Microsoft Live Writer is another one.

If you have installed the latest framework (4.0), you don't need to install previos versions. I'm not sure you can remove previos version have installed after installing the latest framework: I'm not sure add/remove program control panel applet displays that versions.

If you are installing Microsoft XPS Viewer (which requires Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0) on Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 and do not have previous versions of .NET Framework (1.1 and 2.0) installed, you will be asked to download them during the install process. (45 MB)

Just did some testing on an XP Virtual Machine. Interesting results... With only 2.0 and 4.0 installed, I was able to run a console app compiled to 3.5. If I use LINQ however (or I suspect any library not in 2.0) it crashes when the method is called. If the code that uses LINQ isn't called, it doesn't crash.

Why I install .net3.5 manual failed ? I download the .netframework 3.5 and copy to windows 8. I run the .net3.5 installation package. it also popup notice. But I want to install .net3.5 not require the network. any body gives some suggest?

Thanks for this. Thought you and anybody else who comes here might like to know that this process still works for windows 11. I used it to re-install Bitmeter (from Codebox), which I find far superior to the more recent alternative programs available from the Microsoft Store. Thanks again for the clear instructions. I could not have done it without you!

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