Users can run multiple versions of the framework of .NET on their computers. If you are a developer and need to deploy or develop software or an app, then you will need to know which .NET Framework versions are installed on your computer.

As it is a popular platform, new versions come out so keeping on top of this is something you will want to keep an eye on. To find out how to check which .NET framework version is installed on your device then keep reading this blog from Blacklight Software to find out more.

 

.NET Framework

The .NET is an open-source platform that is used to create and run software applications. The software from .NET can be released under a licence and given to other developers with the permission of the copyright holder. This gives other users rights to be able to edit and alter the software for their purpose and benefits and create their solutions for businesses and enterprises.

You can also work and develop open-source software collaboratively in a public way too. The Dot NET framework is specifically designed for developing Windows-based applications and is developed by Microsoft.

Developers can use a variety of programming languages and tools that work with .NET applications. It is designed by Microsoft for all kinds of software engineering.

The .NET framework can be used to develop a variety of applications and is used for many purposes. It can be used as a platform to create bespoke apps or redesign existing apps. It is also not limited to Windows and it is also supported on macOS and Linux devices thanks to its open-source and cross-platform systems.

 

The Things the .NET Framework Can Be Used For

.NET can be used to create and develop many different types of mobile applications including the likes of mobile apps, desktop apps, websites and games too.

This type of software can be connected to the Internet of Things (IoT). This refers to the billions of devices that are now able to be connected to the internet from around the globe.

Large organisations including Amazon have even pumped a lot of money into forming a .NET Development for their ecosystem. But, smaller organisations and businesses also favour the framework too.

 

The Two Main Components of the .NET Framework

There are two main components that the .NET framework consists of. These two main types include:

• A set of assemblies. These are a collection of configuration files or items. They provide the functionality of your applications. The assemblies and the .NET framework will share the same version number. These versions are 4.5, 4.6.1 and 4.7.2.
• The common language runtime (CLR). This executes and manages your app’s code and will support multiple versions of .NET.

 

How to Check Which .NET Framework Version Is Installed

Depending on the scenario, it may not be required for you to worry about what type of .NET is installed on your Windows but some applications do require specific releases to run as planned.

Developers will usually have multiple versions of the development framework installed to build certain applications, so for them, it can be handy to know which version they are using.

Now you have an understanding of the .NET framework and the two key components of the framework, let’s find out which version you have installed.

There are three main ways that you can check which .NET framework version is installed on your device - read on to find out.

 

Option One

If you have Windows 10 and 11 you can check the version of your .NET file manager by opening ‘File Explorer’, and browsing the following path: C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework.

You should then open the folder that shows: v4.0.030319. Right-click on the “.dll” files and click on ‘Properties’. Select ‘Details’ and then you will be able to find the version under the “Product version” property.

 

Option Two

You can check the registry on Windows. To do this, you can directly open the revisory editor in your system and check for the different framework versions of .NET.

Search for ‘regedit’ on the Start menu and click on the ‘Registry Editor’ in the search results. From here you can follow the path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\NDP and expand the main version key (like: v4 or v4.0) and select Full. This will show you the version of the .NET framework that is installed on your computer.

 

Option Three

You can use a command prompt to check your .NET framework type. It is the command-line interface for operating systems run by Windows.

It is similar to the Unix/Linux Command Prompt where you can use it to execute your commands.

To use, launch the Windows command prompt as administrator and type; reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Net Framework Setup\NDP" /s. You can directly check whatever version you are looking for by executing this command: reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Net Framework Setup\NDP\v4" /s.

 

Blacklight Software Can Help

Blacklight Software is a recognised Microsoft Gold Partner, and we have been since 2010. We use our knowledge and experience with Microsoft technologies to help our clients and help you to come up with better solutions for you and your business, enhancing your organisation and making your customer's experience with you better.

At Blacklight Software, we specialise in many areas of Microsoft including Azure, Dynamics 365, Microsoft 365 and of course .NET Development. We have an expert team of in-house software developers as well as project managers and business analysts too.

The .NET framework is the foundation of the bespoke software that we produce. Whether you need a website, mobile app, or anything from scratch we know we can take you there with the assistance of .NET and our incredible software development team.

Contact Blacklight Software today if you wish to find out more about the services we provide. Whether you want your systems updated, refreshed, or completely redesigned, our team at Blacklight Software are here for you.