Microsoft introduced .NET framework almost twenty years ago when Windows XP was still the newest operating system from the Redmond Woods giant. In last two decades, .NET framework has undergone so many changes and now the latest version of .NET framework is version 4.8. If you install latest version of Windows 10 on your computer, .NET framework 4.8 will come pre-installed with it.
However, we often come across many programs designed using the older versions like .NET 2.0. NET 3.0 or .NET 3.5 in everyday life. When you try to run these programs in Windows 10, you often come across a screen informing you that it won’t run unless you install an older version of .NET framework.
Here is how you can install .NET framework version 2.0, 3.0 and 3.5 in Windows 10:
Note: You can skip first three steps if you have tried launching a .NET app that fails to run because .NET version is not installed and clicked on Download and install this feature button.
- Press Win+R to open the Run dialog. Type OptionalFeatures.exe in the Run dialog and press Enter.
- In the Windows Features window, select .NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0) from the list.
- Click on the OK button. Now you will see another window open to download the installation files from the Microsoft servers.
- After it has downloaded Microsoft .NET framework, the installation will begin automatically. It might take a while before the installation is finished. In the end, you will be given the option to restart Windows.
- After restarting Windows, you are now ready to use older versions of .NET framework in Windows 10.
If you want to know which versions of .NET frameworks are installed in your Windows computer, you can use ASoft .NET Version Detector app. This app can show you which .NET versions are installed and which can be installed in your Windows PC. It also gives the download links for .NET framework runtimes and .NET SDK setup for various versions.