install older version .net framework on a computer that has a new version of .net framework

Question

_{Monday, September 18, 2017 9:29 PM}

On a computer that I am currently working with, it currently has the .net framework of 5.0 and 4.7 installed on it. Now I have a change to a desktop application that uses visual studio 2010. The computer I have has visual studio 2010 on it but it does not have the .net framework 4.0 on it.

Thus can I install .net framework 4.0 on a computer that already has .net framework 5.0 and 4.7 already installed on it? If so, can you tell me how to accomplish this goal?

If not, can visual studio 2010 point to the .net framework 4.7 or 5.0? If so, how can you make visual studio 2010 point to these other frameworks?

Do you have any other suggestions? If so, what are they and how would I follow your suggestions by telling me and or pointing to urls?

All replies (5)

_{Thursday, September 21, 2017 9:23 AM ✅Answered}

Hi midnight_car,

Thank you for your update.

>>I have no idea how this occurred. Do you know why this would happen? Registry settings remaining?

I suggest you could use Fix it tool to fix problems that block programs from being removed, at the same time, check if there is any windows setting that keep automatically install of .Net Framework 4.7 or related KB..

>> Do you think I obtained the wrong install for .net framework 4.0? After I ran that install that is when .net framework 4.7 showed up again.

The .Net Framework 4.0 and 4.7 are side by side, the 4.0 install doesn't lead to the 4.7 shows up.

>>Is there some way that the visual studio 2010 that I am using will know that I have the .net framework 4.7 on it? If so, what can I do for this to occur?

.Net Framework is as a basic platform for VS, they are separate things, but you could run VS to create a new project, check the property to check if the target list shows the .Net Framework 4.7 .

For your possible step, I agree with you that if you install the 4.0 targeting pack, please uninstall higher version, such as 4.5 version.

>>once the 'net framework 4 multi targeting pack' is installed, will visual studio 2010 be able to find the .net framework 4.0 that is needed for the application to run correctly?

If you install it properly, you are able to find it in VS, or you need to repair VS from control panel in case that the VS is not installed correctly.

Best Regards,

MSDN Community Support
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_{Tuesday, September 19, 2017 3:16 AM}

Hi midnight_car,

Thank you for posting in MSDN forum.

>>Thus can I install .net framework 4.0 on a computer that already has .net framework 5.0 and 4.7 already installed on it?

.NET Framework 4.7 is in-place updates to the .NET Framework 4. In other words, if you install a later version, such as the .NET Framework 4.7, you do not first have to install the previous versions, Similarly, if you install a later version, such as the .NET Framework 4.6, you do not first have to uninstall the previous versions, such as the .NET Framework 4.5, 4.5.1, or 4.0.

If you try to install 4.0 from Microsoft .NET Framework 4 (Web Installer), please uninstall 5.0 and 4.7 first, or it will inform you that you have other advanced version installed, that 4.0 couldn't continue to install.

After installing 4.0, you can install 4.7 and 5.0 back if necessary.

For more information about versions of the .NET Framework and how to determine which versions are installed on a computer, see Versions and Dependencies and How to: Determine Which .NET Framework Versions Are Installed.

Best Regards,

MSDN Community Support
Please remember to click "Mark as Answer" the responses that resolved your issue, and to click "Unmark as Answer" if not. This can be beneficial to other community members reading this thread. If you have any compliments or complaints to MSDN Support, feel free to contact [email protected].

_{Tuesday, September 19, 2017 2:28 PM}

I did uninstall .net framework 4.7 and 5.0. Somehow the .net framework 4.7 showed up again. I think I saw a .net cleanup tool that can be used if a .net uninstall did not work. Would you recommend that?

Can visual studio 2010 point to .net framework 4.7? If so, how would I do that?

_{Wednesday, September 20, 2017 9:53 AM}

Hi midnight_car,

Thank you for your update.

Is your OS Win 10 or Server 2016 ? Please see:

The Microsoft .NET Framework 4.7 for Windows 10 Version 1607 and Windows Server 2016

A recommended update (KB3186568) may be installed automatically on all supported platforms based on your computer settings on Windows Update.

To work around this problem, please try one of the following:

• Uninstall the .NET Framework 4.7.
• Use Windows PowerShell cmdlets to manage DFS.
• Use Windows 10 Version 1703 or Windows Server 2016 RS3 or later versions.

Any problem persists after doing above please feel free to contact us.

Best Regards,

MSDN Community Support
Please remember to click "Mark as Answer" the responses that resolved your issue, and to click "Unmark as Answer" if not. This can be beneficial to other community members reading this thread. If you have any compliments or complaints to MSDN Support, feel free to contact [email protected].

_{Wednesday, September 20, 2017 4:50 PM}

Thank you for your answers so far!

I do want to mention the following:

1. I already uninstalled .net framework 4.7.  I also uninstalled application that had mvc since I do not use them.  Somehow both the .net framework 4.7 and the MVC applications somehow showed up again. I have no idea how this occurred. Do you know why this would happen? Registry settings remaining?

2. After I thought .net framework 4.7 was removed, I ran the install called 'dotNetFx40_Full_setup.exe'. Do you think I obtained the wrong install for .net framework 4.0? After I ran that install that is when .net framework 4.7 showed up again.

2.  I have seen items on the internet where you work on .net uninstalls if the uninstalls did not work. I do not think that would be a good solution for me.

3. Is there some way that the visual studio 2010 that I am using will know that I have the .net framework 4.7 on it? If so, what can I do for this to occur?

4. I currently have a windows 7 computer. My company has ordered a new computer for me that will contain windows 10 on it. Until then, I need to use the windows 7 computer I have.

5. Possible next step:

    A computer that currently runs the application has the .net framework 4.7 . In addition, that computer also has 'net framework 4 multi targeting pack' installed on it.

On my computer I have .net framework 4.5 multi targeting pack, .net framework 4.5 SDK, and .net framework 4.7 installed. I am thinking that I should uninstall .net framework 4.5 multi targeting pack. I should then install 'net framework 4 multi targeting pack'. Do you agree?

If so, what link (url) should I use to obtain 'net framework 4 multi targeting pack'?  I am thinking that I want the following link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=29052 .Is this correct or should I use another download link?

   Also, once the 'net framework 4 multi targeting pack' is installed, will visual studio 2010 be able to find the .net framework 4.0 that is needed for the application to run correctly? If not, would I need to do a 'repair' of the visual studio 2010 installation in the programs and features that is accessed from the control panel?

 If you think what my next steps are that are different from what I listed above, would you tell me what you suggest I do instead?