Install the .NET Framework for developers

.NET is an integral part of many apps running on Windows and provides common functionality for those apps to run. For developers, the .NET Framework provides a comprehensive and consistent programming model for building apps that have visually stunning user experiences and seamless and secure communication.

This article provides links for installing the .NET Framework 4.5, its point releases (4.5.1, 4.5.2), the .NET Framework 4.6, its point releases (4.6.1, 4.6.2), and the .NET Framework 4.7 on your computer. If you're a developer, you can also use these links to download and redistribute the .NET Framework with your apps.

Note that installing a new version of the .NET Framework doesn't always replace a previous version. For more information about versions of the .NET Framework and how to determine which versions are installed on a computer, see Versions and Dependencies and How to: Determine Which .NET Framework Versions Are Installed. All of the .NET Framework versions listed in the following table are in-place updates to the .NET Framework 4. In other words, if you install a later version, such as the .NET Framework 4.6, you do not first have to install the previous versions, such as the .NET Framework 4.5, 4.5.1, or 4.5.2. Similarly, if you install a later version, such as the .NET Framework 4.6, you do not first have to uninstall the previous versions, such as the .NET Framework 4.5, 4.5.1, or 4.5.2.

The fact that later .NET Framework 4.x versions are in-place updates to earlier versions means that you cannot install an earlier version listed in the table if a later version is already installed. For example, you cannot install the .NET Framework 4.6 on a Windows 10 November Update system, since the .NET Framework 4.6.1 is preinstalled on it.

Use the following table for quick links, or read further for details. To view the system requirements for the .NET Framework before installation, see System Requirements. For help with troubleshooting, see Troubleshooting.

You can install the Dev Pack for a specific version of the .NET Framework, if one is available, on all supported platforms.

You can install the Web or Offline installer on:

• Windows 8.1 and earlier

• Windows Server 2012 R2 and earlier

For a full list, see System Requirements.

For a general introduction to the .NET Framework for both users and developers, see Getting Started. For information about deploying the .NET Framework with your app, see the deployment guide. To read about the architecture and key features of the .NET Framework, see the overview.

Installation choices

Install a developer targeting pack to develop against the most recent version of the .NET Framework in Visual Studio or another development environment, or download the .NET Framework redistributable for distribution with your app or control.

To install the .NET Framework developer or targeting pack

The developer pack for the .NET Framework 4.5.1 or 4.5.2, the targeting pack for the .NET Framework 4.6, and the developer pack for the .NET Framework 4.6.1, 4.6.2, or 4.7 provides the .NET Framework 4.5.1 or 4.5.2 or the .NET Framework 4.6, 4.6.1 or 4.6.2, or the .NET Framework 4.7 reference assemblies, language packs, and IntelliSense files for use in an integrated development environment such as Visual Studio. If you are using Visual Studio, the developer pack or targeting pack also adds the installed version of the .NET Framework to the target choices when you create a new project. Choose one of these developer packs or the targeting pack:

• Microsoft .NET Framework 4.7 Dev Pack

• Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6.2 Dev Pack

• Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6.2 Dev Pack

• Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6.1 Dev Pack

• Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6 Targeting Pack

• .NET Framework 4.5.2 Developer Pack to install version 4.5.2 on Windows 8.1 or earlier, Visual Studio 2013, Visual Studio 2012, or other IDEs.

• .NET Framework 4.5.1 Developer Pack to install version 4.5.1 on Visual Studio 2012 or other IDEs.

From the developer pack download page, choose Download. Next choose Run or Save, and follow the instructions when prompted.

To install or download the .NET Framework redistributable

These installers download the .NET Framework components for an app or control that targets those versions of the .NET Framework. These components must be installed on each computer where the app or control runs. Both installers are redistributable, so you can include them in the setup program for your app.

The download page is provided in several languages, but most of the downloads are provided in English only. For additional language support, you must install a language pack.

Two types of redistributable installations are available:

• Web installer (web bootstrapper) downloads the required components and the language pack that matches the operating system of the installation computer from the web. This package is much smaller than the offline installer but requires a consistent Internet connection. You can download the stand-alone language packs to install additional language support.

• Offline installer (stand-alone redistributable) contains all the required components for installing the .NET Framework but doesn't contain language packs. This download is larger than the web installer. The offline installer doesn't require an Internet connection. After you run the offline installer, you can download the stand-alone language packs to install language support. Use the offline installer if you can't rely on having a consistent Internet connection.

Both web and offline installers are designed for x86-based and x64-based computers (see system requirements), but do not support Itanium-based computers.

1. Open the download page for the .NET Framework version you want to install:

   • .NET Framework 4.7 (web installer or offline installer)

   • .NET Framework 4.6.2 (web installer or offline installer)

   • .NET Framework 4.6.1 (web installer or offline installer)

   • .NET Framework 4.6 (web installer or offline installer)

   • .NET Framework 4.5.2 (web installer or offline installer)

   • .NET Framework 4.5.1 (web installer or offline installer)

   • .NET Framework 4.5

2. Select the language for the download page. This option does not download the localized resources of the .NET Framework; it only affects the text displayed on the download page.

3. Choose Download.

4. If prompted, select the download that matches your system architecture, and then choose Next.

5. When the download prompt appears do ONE of the following:

   • If you want to install the .NET Framework on your computer, choose Run, and then follow the prompts on your screen.

   • If you want to download the .NET Framework for redistribution, choose Save, and then follow the prompts on your screen.

6. If you want to download resources for additional languages, follow the instructions in the next section to install one or more language packs.

Installation notes:

• The .NET Framework 4.5.1 and 4.5.2, as well as the .NET Framework 4.6, 4.6.1, 4.6.2, and 4.7 are in-place updates to the .NET Framework 4.5.

• The .NET Framework 4.5, its point releases, the .NET Framework 4.6 and its point releases, and the .NET Framework 4.7 replace the .NET Framework 4. When you install these versions on a system that has the .NET Framework 4 installed, the assemblies are replaced.

• Uninstalling the .NET Framework 4.5, its point releases, the .NET Framework 4.6 and its point releases, or the .NET Framework 4.7 also removes pre-existing .NET Framework 4 files. If you want to go back to the .NET Framework 4, you must reinstall it and any updates to it. (See Installing the .NET Framework 4.)

• You must have administrative credentials to install the .NET Framework 4.5, its point releases, the .NET Framework 4.6 and its point releases, and the .NET Framework 4.7.

• The .NET Framework 4.5 redistributable was updated on October 9, 2012 to correct an issue related to an improper timestamp on a digital certificate, which caused the digital signature on files produced and signed by Microsoft to expire prematurely. If you previously installed the .NET Framework 4.5 redistributable package dated August 16, 2012, we recommend that you update your copy with the latest redistributable from the Microsoft Download Center. For more information about this issue, see Microsoft Security Advisory 2749655 and Knowledge Base article 2770445.

To install language packs

Language packs are executable files that contain the localized resources (such as translated error messages and UI text) for supported languages. If you don't install a language pack, .NET Framework error messages and other text are displayed in English. Note that the web installer automatically installs the language pack that matches your operating system, but you can download additional language packs to your computer. The offline installers don’t include any language packs.

1. Open the language pack download page for the .NET Framework version you've installed:

   • .NET Framework 4.7 language packs

   • .NET Framework 4.6.2 language packs

   • .NET Framework 4.6.1 language packs

   • .NET Framework 4.6 language packs

   • .NET Framework 4.5.2 language packs

   • .NET Framework 4.5.1 language packs

   • .NET Framework 4.5 language packs

2. In the language list, choose the language you want to download, and wait a few seconds for the page to reload in that language.

3. Choose Download.

The following table lists the supported languages.

Next steps

• If you're new to the .NET Framework, see the overview for an introduction to key concepts and components.

• For new features and improvements in the .NET Framework 4.7, .NET Framework 4.6.2, .NET Framework 4.6.1, .NET Framework 4.6, 4.5.2, 4.5.1, and 4.5, see What's New.

• For detailed information about deploying the .NET Framework with your app, see Deployment Guide for Developers.

• For changes that affect the deployment of the .NET Framework with your app, see Reducing System Restarts During .NET Framework 4.5 Installations.

• For information about migrating your app from the .NET Framework 4 to the .NET Framework 4.5 or one of its point releases, see the migration guide.

• See the .NET Framework Reference Source to browse through the .NET Framework source code online. The reference source is also available on Github. You can download the reference source for offline viewing and step through the sources (including patches and updates) during debugging. For more information, see the blog entry A new look for .NET Reference Source.

See also

Deployment Guide for Developers
Deployment Guide for Administrators
Install the .NET Framework 3.5 on Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and Windows 8
Troubleshoot Blocked .NET Framework Installations and Uninstallations