In this post, you will learn about the different methods to check Dot Net Framework version. On a computer, users can install and run multiple versions of .NET Framework. When you develop or deploy your app, you might need to know which .NET Framework versions are installed on the user’s computer.
The easiest way to check the version for an installed program on your computer is from Control Panel, Programs and Features. As the .NET Framework is not directly getting installed as a program, You won’t be able to determine the version compare to other apps. Here we have several approaches to check the .NET Framework version installed on your Windows devices.
You can understand the different methods to install the Dot NET framework version 3.5 in Windows 10 devices in the following post Install .NET Framework 3.5 in Windows 10 | Quick Easy Way. Here’s how you can use any of these methods –
You can use Community tools DotNetVersionLister that are available to help detect which .NET Framework versions are installed.
Use PowerShell to Check Dot NET Framework Version
You can use PowerShell to check the .NET Framework version on your computer –
- In your device, Launch PowerShell with Run as administrator.
- On the PowerShell window, type or Copy and paste the following command 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
Here it displays a list of .NET Framework versions installed on your computer. The version that appeared in Client, Full version is the latest installed version. If the Full subkey is missing, then .NET Framework 4.5 or above isn’t installed.

Check Dot NET Framework Version using Command Prompt
You can use Command Prompt to check the .NET version on your computer –
- Open Command Prompt with Run as administrator. Type or Copy and paste the command below and press Enter
Reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Net Framework Setup\NDP" /s
It will display all the installed .Net versions on your computer, and you can refer to the Version column for reference –

- If you want to check the installed version 4.x, then use the following command. Open Command Prompt with Run as administrator. Type or Copy and paste the command below and press Enter
reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Net Framework Setup\NDP\v4" /s
Here from the list of searches, Refer to the Version to check the installed .NET Framework.

Check .NET Framework Version using Registry
You can use Registry Editor to check the .NET version on your computer –
- From the Start menu, choose Run, enter Regedit, and then select OK.
- Navigate to the following path –
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\NDP\v4\Full
Each version of .NET Framework from 1.1 to 4.0 is listed as a subkey at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\NDP
- Check the Version REG_SZ value to determine the installed version OR You can reference the value of the Release entry to find the versions of .NET Framework 4.5-4.8 that is installed.
- Here the value of the Release entry is 528049, which is the release key for .NET Framework 4.8. For more details refer the tables below –

The version of the .NET Framework (4.5 and later) installed on a machine is listed in the registry at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\NDP\v4\Full. If the Full subkey is missing, then .NET Framework 4.5 or above isn’t installed.
The Release REG_DWORD value in the registry represents the version of .NET Framework installed.
.NET Framework version | Value of Release |
---|---|
.NET Framework 4.5 | All Windows operating systems: 378389 |
.NET Framework 4.5.1 | On Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2: 378675 On all other Windows operating systems: 378758 |
.NET Framework 4.5.2 | All Windows operating systems: 379893 |
.NET Framework 4.6 | On Windows 10: 393295 On all other Windows operating systems: 393297 |
.NET Framework 4.6.1 | On Windows 10 November Update systems: 394254 On all other Windows operating systems (including Windows 10): 394271 |
.NET Framework 4.6.2 | On Windows 10 Anniversary Update and Windows Server 2016: 394802 On all other Windows operating systems (including other Windows 10 operating systems): 394806 |
.NET Framework 4.7 | On Windows 10 Creators Update: 460798 On all other Windows operating systems (including other Windows 10 operating systems): 460805 |
.NET Framework 4.7.1 | On Windows 10 Fall Creators Update and Windows Server, version 1709: 461308 On all other Windows operating systems (including other Windows 10 operating systems): 461310 |
.NET Framework 4.7.2 | On Windows 10 April 2018 Update and Windows Server, version 1803: 461808 On all Windows operating systems other than Windows 10 April 2018 Update and Windows Server, version 1803: 461814 |
.NET Framework 4.8 | On Windows 10 May 2019 Update and Windows 10 November 2019 Update: 528040 On Windows 10 May 2020 Update and Windows 10 October 2020 Update: 528372 On all other Windows operating systems (including other Windows 10 operating systems): 528049 |
Check Dot NET Framework Version using File Explorer
You can use File Explorer to check the .NET version on your computer –
- On your device, Open File Explorer. Browse the path – C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework
Press the Windows + E keyboard shortcut to open File Explorer.
- You will get the list of folders, Click on the folder with latest version.
- Inside folder, Select the files with .dll extension. Right click on the file, Select Properties and move to Details tab as shown below. Here you can see the .NET Version appeared under Product version.

Resources
- .NET Framework versions and dependencies – Microsoft Docs
- Install .NET Framework 3.5 in Windows 10 | Quick Easy Way