Mailbag: How to install the .NET Framework 2.0 SP1 and 3.0 SP1 on Windows Vista

Question:

I am attempting to figure out how to redistribute the .NET Framework 2.0 SP1 and .NET Framework 3.0 SP1 standalone packages with my application.  As a test, I tried to run both of these redistributable packages on Windows Vista, but the installation processes were blocked and I could not get the .NET Framework 2.0 SP1 or 3.0 SP1 to install them on that OS.  How can I install the .NET Framework 2.0 SP1 and 3.0 SP1 on Windows Vista if they are needed for my application?

Answer:

The standalone redistributable packages for the .NET Framework 2.0 SP1 and 3.0 SP1 only include MSI-based installers.  Because the .NET Framework 2.0 and 3.0 are shipped as OS components on Windows Vista, you cannot install the MSI-based versions of these service packs on Windows Vista.  There are 2 supported ways of getting the .NET Framework 2.0 SP1 and 3.0 SP1 to install on Windows Vista:

  1. Install the .NET Framework 3.5 redistributable package, which will automatically install the .NET Framework 2.0 SP1 and 3.0 SP1 behind the scenes because those service packs are prerequisites for .NET Framework 3.5 setup.
  2. Install Windows Vista SP1, which includes the fixes that are a part of the .NET Framework 2.0 SP1 and 3.0 SP1.

Also note that Windows Server 2008 includes the .NET Framework 2.0 SP1 and 3.0 SP1, so you do not need to install any additional packages in order to get those service packs on Windows Server 2008.