How to detect what Microsoft .Net Framework you have installed

If you are a developer, tech geek or just a normal person who needs to know what versions of Microsoft .Net Framework is installed on a computer this little tool from Asoft might be handy to you. Sometimes it can be difficult to figure out what already is installed and what you need to download yourself. Some operating system has some of the newer version built-in and some of the old operating system does not. You can see a list of built-in frameworks in different versions of Windows on Wikipedia.

What is .Net Framework and why do I need it?

.Net Framework (pronounced dot net) is a developed by Microsoft and is a large library of developer components shared by multiple programming languages like Visual Basic, Visual C++ and website development (IIS). Instead of including all those library functions in each programs, programs developed for the .Net Framework can share the same library functions based on the .Net Framework. In order to execute a .Net program on your Windows PC you will need to install the .Net Framework version that the specific program is targeted for. The .Net framework editions is backward compatible meaning if you have .Net 4.0 installed you can also have framework 2.0, 3.0 and 3.5. Regarding version 1.0 and 1.1 it might be another story, but not many programs are using those editions anymore today.

Get the free .Net Framework detector tool

Microsoft .Net Framework Version Detector

With this little .Net framework detector tool you can easily found out what versions of the .Net Framework is installed. It can also tell you what service pack level has been installed for each framework.

Download the .Net Framework detector tool (353 KB)
(No installation required, just a single exe file in a zip archive)

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26 Thoughts to “How to detect what Microsoft .Net Framework you have installed”

  1. My brother was mentioning this the other day. Though I haven’t tried it yet; looks like I just might give it a try soon!

    Does it actually have any benefits?

    1. Hi Hajra
      The tool is only useful if you need to figure out what versions of .Net you have on your PC. If you have a Windows 7 PC and you have installed all the updates from Windows Update you properly have all versions of .Net Framework already.

  2. saha

    Very informative and helpful post Thomas…!
    I really need this information. Few days ago i need a software but when I tried to install that software, a problem occurred. I think now problem will be solved.
    Thanks Thomas.

    1. Not sure if it will resolved your problem unless it is related to .Net, but otherwise take a look in the application Event Log.

      1. saha

        It is related to .net.

  3. shikha sahu

    hello,
    Thank you to share this with all. all tech student needs it.
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  4. Very informative post!this is very useful to those not familiar and don’t know the benefits from it.

  5. Ayesha

    As I’m new in .Net, your blog facilitate me a lot. Thanks for putting up. It’s quite helpful for me because I had faced many problems which are related to .NET .

  6. Now that so much applications are using .net… it make sense to know the version installed. I’m working with more than 50 PCs and it really take time to administer all.

    this will surely help. thanks.

    1. You are welcome Kevin 🙂

  7. thanks for the post, i have Downloaded the .Net Framework detector tool. i will give it a try. 🙂

  8. I really appreciate this post, It will help all soft engineers.Thanks for sharing

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  9. Yeah, you really need to have this especially when you’re a programmer. There’s a benefit of having this when you’re making object-oriented programs. I really like your article, it’s very informative. Thanks for letting people know how important .Net Framework is. As well as the detecting of what kind of .Net Framework you have, because it’s important that you determine it.

  10. There’s a benefit of having this when you’re making object-oriented programs. I really like your article, it’s very informative. Thanks for letting people know how important .

  11. it’s great that you have discussed this NET framework thing. It’s kind of a review for me. I remember before I got so pissed because I couldn’t run a software (which I installed) since it would need a higher version of NET framework. And I had no idea how to find out what my version was. This is helpful in any way.

  12. A helpful topic because .net Framework is useful so many things on your computer. It also has a lot of compatibility issues and is important to know what version you have. Thanks for sharing this.

  13. I really like your article, it’s very informative. Thanks for letting people know how important .

  14. Arpith

    Yeah! I go to know now, I have installed 4.0 .NET framework in my PC. Thanks for this freeware, I had no idea about it. By the way, how can I subscribe to your blog by email?

    1. It is always nice with some great freeware tools. I don’t really have any e-mail subscriber list yet, but you can subscribe to my RSS feed to by updated on new post for my blog:
      https://techthatworks.net/feed

  15. tampa seo company

    Now that so much applications are using .net… it make sense to know the version installed. I’m working with more than 50 PCs and it really take time to administer all.

  16. Does .net support object oriented concept. Its microsoft so it should as I think

    1. Hi Shalin
      It is indeed very object oriented 🙂 You can even download free development software to develop software based on .Net framework here: http://www.visualstudio.com/en-us/products/visual-studio-express-vs.aspx

  17. Hello Thomas !

    First of all i really appreciate that your content and all guidelines about ASP.NET and the main guidelines about how to detect .Net framework tools in window PC’s.

    Thanks all about information .Net Framework tools.

  18. thanks a lot for the tool. I was searching the internet on what version of framework i have. Now i can find out the version easily.

  19. I run a blog which is about ASP.NET web hosting & tutorials. I keep searching for such tools on Internet so that I can also write about them on my blog. Thanks for sharing the tool with us.

  20. This is really informative thanks for sharing the post. Really appreciate the efforts. And as far as i m concerned ASP.NET Web Development is the future of Server Side Technology.

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