How to detect different versions of the Microsoft .NET Framework

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Folks,

We often see requests from customers writing apps based on the .NET Framework asking how they might detect the different versions of the .NET Framework in their application setup, the DevDiv SE team has been working on updating documentation for this.

We realize that different customers have different needs,

  • they may need to detect a particular major version of the Framework while being agnostic to the SP level e.g. .NET Framework 2.0 at any Service Pack level, this is important when the a custom app uses the features of that particular major version.
  • they may need to detect a particular major version and a specific Service Pack level of the .NET Framework e.g. .NET Framework 2.0 Service Pack 2, this is important when their app may only have been tested on that particular version/Service Pack level.
  • they may need to detect a particular major version and a minimum Service Pack level of the .NET Framework e.g. .NET Framework 2.0 Service Pack 2+ , this is important when the app may require a specific feature which didnt exist when the version first released but was introduced in a Service Pack.

With this documentation we have tried to address all 3 types of uses. Let us know if you want to see something else here.

Thanks,
Jamshed Damkewala
Lead Program Manager, DevDiv Sustained Engineering Team