How to check .NET Framework version on Windows 10

On Windows 10. the .NET Framework ("dot net") is a development platform made up of programming languages, libraries, and tools for developers to build different types of traditional and modern apps for desktop, laptops, and web apps, games, and more.

The .NET platform is not limited to Windows since it is open-source and cross-platform, which means it's supported on Linux and macOS.

Although regular users usually do not need to worry about the version of .NET installed on Windows 10, some programs require specific releases to run correctly. Also, programmers typically have to use multiple versions of the development platform to build their applications. This means that depending on the situation, knowing the version of .NET installed on the computer can be useful.

Whether you are a developer or regular user, Windows 10 provides at least four ways to check the .NET Framework version using PowerShell, Command Prompt, File Explorer, and Registry.

In this Windows 10 guide, we will walk you through the steps to determine the .NET Framework version installed on your computer.

• How to check .NET version using PowerShell
• How to check .NET version using Command Prompt
• How to check .NET version using File Explorer
• How to check .NET version using Registry

How to check .NET version with PowerShell

On PowerShell, there are multiple methods to check the versions of the .NET Framework installed on Windows 10, including crafting a complex command or installing a command-line tool.

Check version with command

To use PowerShell to check the .NET version on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for PowerShell, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

3. Type the following command to determine the version of .NET installed and press Enter:

   Get-ChildItem 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\NDP' -Recurse | Get-ItemProperty -Name version -EA 0 | Where { $_.PSChildName -Match '^(?!S)\p{L}'} | Select PSChildName, version

   Source: Windows Central

4. Confirm the version of the .NET Framework installed on the machine.

Once you complete the steps, the command will return the information for both the client and the full version of .NET installed on Windows 10 (if applicable).

Check version with DotNetVersionLister

Alternatively, you can use a community tool available at GitHub that makes it easier to query a list of installed .NET versions.

To find out the list of .NET versions installed on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for PowerShell, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

3. Type the following command to install the module and press Enter:

   Install-Module -Name DotNetVersionLister -Scope CurrentUser #-Force

   Source: Windows Central

4. Type Y and press Enter.

5. Type the following command to determine the version of .NET installed and press Enter:

   Get-STDotNetVersion

   Source: Windows Central

6. Confirm the version of the .NET Framework installed on Windows 10.

After you complete the steps, the tool will let you know the versions of the .NET Framework available on the device.

How to check .NET version with Command Prompt

To check the version of the .NET Framework with Command Prompt, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

3. Type the following command to determine the version of .NET installed and press Enter:

   reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Net Framework Setup\NDP" /s

   Source: Windows Central

   If you want to make sure that version 4.x is installed, then use this variant of the command:

   reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Net Framework Setup\NDP\v4" /s

   Source: Windows Central

4. Check the "Version" field to confirm the releases of the .NET Framework installed on Windows 10.

Once you complete the steps, the versions of .NET running on your device will be revealed.

How to check .NET version using File Explorer

To use File Explorer to check the .NET Framework version on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.

2. Browse the following path:

   C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework

3. Enter the folder with the latest version – for example, v4.0.30319.

   Source: Windows Central

4. Right-click any of the ".dll" files and select the Properties option.

   Source: Windows Central

5. Click the Details tab.

6. Under the "Product version" section, confirm the version of .NET – for example, 4.8.4084.0.

   Source: Windows Central

After you complete the steps, the file details will reveal the framework platform's version installed on your computer.

How to check .NET version using Registry

To find out the .NET Framework version with the Registry, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for regedit and click the top result to open the Registry.

3. Browse the following path:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\NDP

   Quick tip: On Windows 10, you can now copy and paste the path in the Registry's address bar to quickly jump to the key destination.

4. Select the main version key – for example, v4 or v4.0.

5. Select the Client key.

   Source: Windows Central

   Quick tip: In releases older than version 4, the key will be a number or "Setup." For example, .NET version 3.5 includes the version number under the 1033 key.

6. On the right, check the "Version" string to determine the release of the .NET Framework.

Once you complete the steps, you will know the releases of the Microsoft framework available on Windows 10.

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:

• Windows 10 on Windows Central – All you need to know
• Windows 10 help, tips, and tricks
• Windows 10 forums on Windows Central