Check your .NET Framework version from the command line

The fastest way to see what .NET Framework is installed on your computer is to open a command prompt and run a single command. On Windows, press the Windows key, type cmd, and press Enter. Then type this command and press Enter:

reg query "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\NDP" /s

The output will list every .NET Framework version installed, along with the full version number. Look for entries labeled with version numbers like 4.8, 4.7.2, or 3.5. Each one shows whether it is installed (a value of 1 means yes, 0 means no). The registry path stores information about every .NET Framework release that has ever been installed on your system, so you will see a complete history even if you uninstalled older versions.

If you want to check only for .NET Framework 4.x versions, you can use this shorter command instead:

reg query "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\NDP\v4\Full" /v Version

Check .NET Framework version through Windows Settings

You can also find installed versions by opening the Windows Control Panel. Press the Windows key, type Control Panel, and open it. Then go to Programs > Programs and Features.

Scroll through the list of installed programs and look for entries that start with Microsoft .NET Framework. Each one listed is installed on your system. The version number appears in the program name — for example, "Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8" or "Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5". This list shows only versions that are currently active, not historical installations.

This method is slower than the command line but requires no typing and shows you the same information in a visual format. It is useful if you prefer not to use the command prompt or want to see the installation date and size of each version.

Key Takeaways

  • The command line method using reg query is the fastest way to see all installed .NET Framework versions at once.
  • Windows Control Panel under Programs and Features also lists installed .NET Framework versions, though it takes longer to navigate.
  • Version numbers appear in the registry or program list — look for entries like 4.8, 4.7.2, or 3.5 to identify what you have.
  • .NET Framework and .NET Core are different products; these methods show only the older .NET Framework versions.
  • If you need a specific version for a program to run, the version number you find here tells you whether you need to install something else.

Difference between .NET Framework and .NET Core

The methods above show you .NET Framework, which is the older Windows-only version of .NET. If you are looking for .NET Core (the newer, cross-platform version also called just ".NET"), the steps are different and the version numbers do not overlap.

.NET Core versions are typically installed in a different location and do not appear in the registry the same way. Many modern applications use .NET Core instead of the older Framework. If a program requires ".NET 5" or ".NET 6" or ".NET 7", it is asking for .NET Core, not .NET Framework. The two products can coexist on the same computer without interfering with each other.

Check .NET Core version from the command line

To see what .NET Core versions you have installed, open a command prompt and type:

dotnet --version

This shows the version of the .NET Core runtime that is currently set as default. If you want to see all installed .NET Core versions, use:

dotnet --list-runtimes

The output lists every .NET Core runtime installed, with version numbers like 6.0.5 or 7.0.1. This is the information you need if a program tells you it requires a specific .NET Core version. You can also use dotnet --list-sdks to see development kits if you are a programmer building .NET applications.

Why you might need to know your .NET version

Programs built with .NET Framework or .NET Core require a matching version (or a compatible newer version) to run. If you try to open a program and get an error message about .NET, the error usually tells you which version the program needs. Common error messages include "This application requires .NET Framework 4.7.2 or later" or "The specified framework version was not found".

Knowing what you have installed lets you decide whether to download and install a different version, or whether the version you need is already there. Some programs work with multiple versions, while others need an exact match or newer. Checking your version takes less than a minute and saves time troubleshooting installation problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the command prompt shows no .NET Framework versions?

Your computer may not have .NET Framework installed at all, or the registry key does not exist yet. Many modern Windows computers come with at least .NET Framework 3.5 or 4.x pre-installed. If nothing shows up, you can download and install a version from Microsoft's website.

Can I have multiple .NET Framework versions installed at the same time?

Yes. You can install .NET Framework 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, and others all on the same computer. Programs use whichever version they were built for. Having multiple versions does not cause conflicts.

Is .NET Framework the same as .NET Core?

.NET Framework is the older Windows-only version. .NET Core (now called just ".NET") is newer and runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux. They are separate products with different version numbers. A program built for .NET Framework will not run on .NET Core unless it was specifically rewritten.

What version should I install if a program needs .NET?

The program should tell you which version it needs. Check the program's website, documentation, or the error message you received. Install exactly that version or a newer one in the same major release (for example, if it needs 4.7, version 4.8 will work, but 3.5 will not).

Do I need to restart my computer after checking the version?

No. Checking your version does not change anything on your computer. You only need to restart if you install or uninstall a .NET version.