What is the Microsoft .NET Framework? Why do I need to install .Net Framework on my computer?

When we install the software on our computer, we will encounter some cases that require the computer to have the .NET Framework to run. So, what is the .NET Framework, why does a computer need the .NET Framework, the following article will answer for you.

1. What is the .NET Framework?

The .NET Framework is a collection of code snippets and code-sharing libraries pre-written by Microsoft for developers and programmers to use in application development without reprogramming existing ones. In the .NET Framework, that shared code library is named the Framework Class Library (FCL). The bits of code in a shared library can perform all sorts of different functions.

What is the Microsoft .NET Framework? Why do I need to install .Net Framework on my computer? Picture 1

For example, a programmer wants the application to display a working window on the screen. Instead of writing the code itself to perform that action, the programmer can use the components of the .NET Framework to perform the window display, at which point the programmer just needs to focus on writing the specific features in His software without writing things already in the .NET Framework.

However, not only that, the dotNET platform also provides additional tools to reduce application development time, as well as APIs (application programming interfaces) that developers can use to make it easier. Easily interact with other specific services, such as the Windows Store. Instead of writing all the commands yourself to use the UWP (universal Windows platform), programmers only need to use the .NET Framework.

Because of the above reasons, applications that use the dotNET platform want to run on Windows are required to install the .NET Framework on the computer. Also the platform consists of 2 components. The first component consists of pre-written lines of code commonly called the SDK - software development kit. The second component is a program that 'interprets' the code using the .NET Framework into the command line for the corresponding operating system, allowing running software using the .NET Framework. This second component is also known as the Runtime Environment.

2. How to install the .NET Framework?

Most current Windows computers come with the .NET Framework preinstalled, but maybe the version you are using is outdated and some software may not work. For example, the version on Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 preinstalled with the .NET Framework 4.5.1, but on Windows 10 may be 4.6, 4.6.1 or 4.6.2 preinstalled, depending on the computer's new level.

Installing the .NET Framework is quite simple, you can even install it via Windows update. Or when you install a piece of software that requires the .NET Framework, a window asking to install the NET Framework will appear, you just need to agree that the NET Framework will be automatically downloaded and installed onto your computer.

Alternatively, you can use the manual installation method by visiting the address below and selecting the NET Framework version you want to install:

https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet-framework

What is the Microsoft .NET Framework? Why do I need to install .Net Framework on my computer? Picture 2

Ideally, you should install the latest version as it is compatible with all current applications. As shown in the picture on the latest version is 4.7.2, you can install for Windows 10, Windows 8 or Windows 7 arbitrary. Microsoft recommends that users need at least 2.5 GB of free hard disk space to ensure the installation process is error-free.

In addition, we have two options for installing the .NET Framework: online and offline installation. The installation of ofile will have a size of 1.6Mb and the installation requires an internet connection, while the offline installation has a capacity of about 60Mb suitable to install for computers without internet.

The offline version can be downloaded here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=53344