Can someone please explain Microsoft .NET Framework?

OnAndUp

hi

I'm trying to keep my pc clean / tidy, currently on windows update custom I'm shown this:

"Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile for Windows XP 86 (KB982670)
Date last published: 9/13/2011
Download size: 28.9 MB
The Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile provides a subset of features from the .NET Framework 4. The Client Profile is designed to run client applications and to enable the fastest possible deployment for Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) and Windows Forms technology"

I don't know if I need it or not. I already have several versions (1,2,3 SP1 / 2 etc) of this that show up in add/ remove programs.
I have googled it and had a look but I don't really understand what it is still!

Can someone please explain simply what it is? Do I need to install it and if so do I need all the other old versions too?

RobTang

Its a platform that programmers can use to build software, but to run that software you need that platform installed, its similar to java.

You can probably get rid of version 1.

2.0/3.0/3.5 are interlinked, most .net applications will be written in this version so you probably cant uninstall.

4.0 is the latest version, although you may not have programs that need it yet.

As for whether you need it or not... It depends if you have any programs that need it or not. These days its probably best to leave it installed as there are a few common things that use it.

DWatts

The .NET framework is a 'base' for applications to run from. Instead of developers writing all the basic functions of an application, they simply reference something from the Microsoft .NET framework, saving them a lot of time and generally reducing the chance of them adding in errors and bugs (since it's assumed .NET is fairly bug-free).

You probably don't need to install it, since if you had an application that needed to use it you'd have it already. The problem with how Microsoft develops it is that they release new versions all the time, which don't replace the old versions. So an older application using the 2010 framework will still need the 2010 .NET package installed, but another application might use a newer 2011 package. You'll then need both of the .NET packages installed.

It's unlikely to slow down your computer, though. It's just annoying and messy - but that's how Microsoft like to do things.

OnAndUp

Thanks for the replies!

It all makes a bit more sense now! Think I will just leave them as they are then, that seems to be the best / safest option.