Find Which .NET Framework Versions Are Installed

As you may already know, you may have different .NET framework versions installed simultaneously. Many modern apps are built with .NET, so certain apps may require a specific .NET version. Without the proper .NET version, the app may run with issues or just won't start. Here are a number of ways to find which .NET framework versions you have installed.

Here is an example of a simple situation that makes you install multiple versions of .NET framework. Windows 10 comes with the .NET framework 4.5 pre-installed, but many apps developed in Vista and Windows 7 era require the .NET framework v3.5 installed along with 4.5. These apps will not run unless you will install the required version. When you try to run any such app, Windows 10 will prompt you to download and install the .NET framework 3.5 from the Internet.

Tip: See Offline install of .NET Framework 3.5 in Windows 10 using DISM

The .NET framework is a development platform that makes it easier for application developers to create various Desktop and Web applications and services for Windows. The .NET framework makes creating programs faster by providing a wide range of ready-to-use libraries, classes, and functions.

To find which .NET Framework versions are installed, do the following.

1. Open the Registry Editor app.
2. Go to the following Registry key.

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\NDP

   See how to go to a Registry key with one click.

3. The installed versions are listed under the NDP subkey. The version number is stored in the Version entry. For the .NET Framework 4 the Version entry is under the Client or Full subkey (under NDP), or under both subkeys.
4. For the .NET framework 4.5 and later, go to the key

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\NDP\v4\Full

   If the Full subkey is not present, then you do not have the .NET Framework 4.5 or later installed.

5. Check for a DWORD value named Release. The existence of the Release DWORD indicates that the .NET Framework 4.5 or newer has been installed on that computer. Check the table below to find the exact release information for the .NET framework.

Value of the Release DWORD	Version
378389	.NET Framework 4.5
378675	.NET Framework 4.5.1 installed with Windows 8.1 or Windows Server 2012 R2
378758	.NET Framework 4.5.1 installed on Windows 8, Windows 7 SP1, or Windows Vista SP2
379893	.NET Framework 4.5.2
On Windows 10 systems only: 393295 On all other OS versions: 393297	.NET Framework 4.6
On Windows 10 November Update systems only: 394254 On all other OS versions: 394271	.NET Framework 4.6.1
On Windows 10 Anniversary Update only: 394802 On all other OS versions: 394806	.NET Framework 4.6.2
On Windows 10 Creators Update only: 460798 On all other OS versions: 460805	.NET Framework 4.7
On Windows 10 Fall Creators Update only: 461308 On all other OS versions: 461310	.NET Framework 4.7.1
On Windows 10 April 2018 Update only: 461808 On all other OS versions: 461814	.NET Framework 4.7.2

That's it.