If you’re developing, installing, or troubleshooting an application on your Windows 11 system, knowing the installed version of the .NET Framework can be crucial. Microsoft’s .NET Framework is an essential software framework used by many applications to function correctly. While Windows 11 comes with pre-installed versions, users often need to confirm the exact version, especially when dealing with compatibility issues or preparing to update software.
TL;DR
To quickly check the installed .NET Framework version on Windows 11, you can use methods like Command Prompt, PowerShell, or check the Registry manually. The most user-friendly and reliable method is using PowerShell with a simple command. This information is essential for developers and users troubleshooting compatibility or updates for applications requiring specific .NET versions.
Why Check the .NET Framework Version?
There are several reasons why knowing your .NET Framework version can be useful:
- Application Compatibility: Some programs require specific versions of the framework to run properly.
- Development: Developers working with .NET need to target the right framework version.
- Troubleshooting: Errors related to missing or outdated .NET versions can be resolved quickly when you know what’s installed.
Method 1: Use Command Prompt
This is among the simplest ways to check your .NET Framework version using built-in Windows tools.
- Click the Start button and type cmd, then press Enter.
- In the Command Prompt window, type the following command:
reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\NDP" /s
This command accesses the Windows Registry to retrieve .NET framework version entries. The long output might seem intimidating, but the key is to look for entries under versions starting with v4. Particularly, check the Full subkey which provides the most accurate view of the installed version.
Look for a line that says Version. For example:
Version REG_SZ 4.8.04084
[p-ai-img]command prompt, net framework, registry query[/ai-img]
Tip: Ignore entries like v1.0.3705 or v4.0.30319. They are commonly installed by default and are not always indicators of usable or complete installations.
Method 2: Check with Windows PowerShell
PowerShell provides a cleaner and more focused way to identify the .NET version.
- Right-click the Start button and select Windows Terminal (Admin) or search for PowerShell.
- Then run the following command:
Get-ChildItem 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\NDP\v4\Full' | Get-ItemPropertyValue -Name Release
This command will return a number known as the “release key”. To interpret this number, compare it against a list maintained by Microsoft, which associates these numbers with official .NET Framework versions. For example:
- 528040 = .NET Framework 4.8
- 533325 = .NET Framework 4.8.1
To see this done automatically, you can run a script like this:
$release = Get-ItemPropertyValue -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\NDP\v4\Full" -Name Release
switch ($release) {
{$_ -ge 533325} {"Installed Version: .NET Framework 4.8.1"}
{$_ -ge 528040} {"Installed Version: .NET Framework 4.8"}
default {"Version is below 4.8"}
}
This is a more automated approach, helpful for developers working across multiple machines.
Method 3: View Using Registry Editor
If you prefer a graphical interface, you can manually view the registry keys to find out the installed .NET version.
- Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type regedit and press Enter.
- Navigate to this path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\NDP\v4\Full
There, double-click on the key named Release. It will show a numeric value similar to the one in the PowerShell method. You’ll need to cross-reference this number with known version IDs like you did in the previous step.
[p-ai-img]registry editor, net framework, windows 11[/ai-img]
Method 4: Use a Third-Party Tool
For those who want a click-and-go solution, several lightweight tools are available that check and display the installed versions of the .NET Framework.
Popular tools include:
These tools don’t need complex installations and give you a neat overview of all installed versions, along with links to download missing ones. They’re especially handy for system admins managing multiple systems.
Understanding the .NET Release Key Table
As mentioned earlier, a critical part of checking your .NET version is knowing how to interpret the release key. Here’s a quick-reference chart for common .NET Framework releases:
| Release Key | .NET Framework Version |
|---|---|
| 378389 | 4.5 |
| 378675 | 4.5.1 on Windows 8.1 |
| 379893 | 4.5.2 |
| 393295 | 4.6 |
| 394802 | 4.6.2 |
| 460798 | 4.7.2 |
| 528040 | 4.8 |
| 533325 | 4.8.1 |
This table is useful if you’re dealing with multiple machines and scripts across your IT environment.
What About .NET Core and .NET 5/6/7?
Keep in mind that the methods discussed so far are applicable primarily for the traditional .NET Framework (up to version 4.8.1). Devices running newer SDKs—like .NET 5, 6, or 7—use an entirely different architecture that’s not shown in the Windows Registry in the same way.
To check those runtimes or SDKs:
dotnet --list-sdks
dotnet --list-runtimes
This works if you have the .NET Core/5/6/7 runtime or SDK installed, and the dotnet CLI is available. This command-line tool provides detailed version information about newer .NET platforms.
Conclusion
Knowing how to check the .NET Framework version on Windows 11 can save you time and effort while troubleshooting, developing, or simply verifying application requirements. Whether you prefer command-line tools like PowerShell and Command Prompt or graphical interfaces like Registry Editor and third-party utilities, there’s a method that suits every comfort level.
Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that your system meets the requirements of the software you wish to run, and checking the correct .NET framework version is a simple but important part of that process.