Have 4 versions of .NET framework - can I delete?


  1. catalogue
    Posts : 108
    7 Pro 64
       New #1

    Have 4 versions of .NET framework - can I delete?


    I am getting four listings for .NET framework in services.msc - but only one under Programs and Features.

    Can I get rid of the unneeded ones? My computer is extremely slow and I'm trying to clean out all the junk (yes, I am going through this list!)

    services.msc shows:

    Microsoft .NET Framework NGEN v2.0.50727_X64
    Microsoft .NET Framework NGEN v2.0.50727_X86
    Microsoft .NET Framework NGEN v4.0.30319_X64
    Microsoft .NET Framework NGEN v4.0.30319_X86

    Programs and Features shows:

    Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile, version 4.0.30319
    Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Extended, version 4.0.30319

    Thanks
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  3. Phone Man
    Posts : 2,686
    Windows 8.1 Pro w/Media Center 64bit, Windows 7 HP 64bit
       New #2

    They were probably installed by a program that needs them. They don't do anything until a program needs them so should have no effect on your system.

    Jim
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  4. Slartybart
    Posts : 6,458
    x64 (6.3.9600) Win8.1 Pro & soon dual boot x64 (6.1.7601) Win7_SP1 HomePrem
       New #3

    Leave all .NET Frameworks in place. The versioning is strange, but they're all there for a reason. You would think that .NET Y would be backward compatible to .NET X - that's what I thought too.

    I started ripping previous version off my Vista system - what a mess I made! A reinstall and hands off .NET approach solved the user issue.

    Installing .NET 4.0 removed .NET 1.0 at least - .NET is an interesting beast, it's has strong ties to the OS.

    My experience says it's better to leave .NET alone.
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  6. catalogue
    Posts : 108
    7 Pro 64
    Thread Starter
       New #4

    Slartybart said:
    The versioning is strange, but they're all there for a reason.
    What reason? What is .NET even for in the first place? How do I know if anything on my computer needs it? Can't I just uninstall them and then if a program stops working, install it again?
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  7. Slartybart
    Posts : 6,458
    x64 (6.3.9600) Win8.1 Pro & soon dual boot x64 (6.1.7601) Win7_SP1 HomePrem
       New #5

    That's a tall order catalogue. Too much to go over in this format. You'll have to read up on all the .NET Framework.

    Just uninstall .NET? Reinstall later?
    - that's how I messed up my Vista machine. But if you're determined to do that...

    Google is your friend: https://www.google.com/search?q=.net...-us:IE-Address

    Wiki is quicki: .NET Framework - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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  8. LMiller7
    Posts : 2,497
    Windows 7 Pro 64 bit
       New #6

    The .NET files are support files needed for many applications to run. In theory the version 4 files should replace all previous versions but it doesn't always work that way in the real world. Many applications are designed for a specific version and will work with no other.

    Determining what applications need .NET and what version is difficult. Unless you are desperately short on disk space the amount saved by deleting them will be of little consequence.

    Most members of this forum leave all .NET runtimes alone because the determination of which ones are needed is more trouble than it is worth. I have better things to do with my available time.
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  10. N00berG00ber
    Posts : 1,486
    Windows 10 Pro
       New #7

    There's 4 of them because of 32bit and 64bit versions. Leave them on your computer and set the service to manual. If u have any problems with programs just SRT it back to auto delayed start.
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  11. catalogue
    Posts : 108
    7 Pro 64
    Thread Starter
       New #8

    Thanks LMiller and N00ber - those are helpful answers.
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  12. NoelDP
    Posts : 21,482
    Win 7 x64 Home Premium (and x86 VirtualBox VM)/Win10
       New #9

    My earlier response seems to have got lost in the post :)

    .NET 3.5 shipped with Windows 7 and CANNOT AND SHOULD NOT be uninstalled - it's part of the OS.
    For a variety of reasons the versioning in .NET is a little strange - and each later version subsumes earlier ones, rather than replacing them - with the result that you'll see .NET 2 references in .NET 3.5

    I see that you still have .NET 4.0 installed - you should upgrade to .NET 4.5, which is more stable (and will actually replace .NET 4.0) and more easily maintained. It should be available in Windows Update as an optional update.
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  13. UsernameIssues
    Posts : 10,485
    W7 Pro SP1 64bit
       New #10

    catalogue said:
    I am getting four listings for .NET framework in services.msc - but only one under Programs and Features.

    Can I get rid of the unneeded ones? My computer is extremely slow and I'm trying to clean out all the junk (yes, I am going through this list!)

    services.msc shows:
    Microsoft .NET Framework NGEN v2.0.50727_X64
    Microsoft .NET Framework NGEN v2.0.50727_X86
    Microsoft .NET Framework NGEN v4.0.30319_X64
    Microsoft .NET Framework NGEN v4.0.30319_X86
    Programs and Features shows:
    Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile, version 4.0.30319
    Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Extended, version 4.0.30319
    Thanks
    NoelDP said:
    My earlier response seems to have got lost in the post :)

    .NET 3.5 shipped with Windows 7 and CANNOT AND SHOULD NOT be uninstalled - it's part of the OS.
    For a variety of reasons the versioning in .NET is a little strange - and each later version subsumes earlier ones, rather than replacing them - with the result that you'll see .NET 2 references in .NET 3.5

    I see that you still have .NET 4.0 installed - you should upgrade to .NET 4.5, which is more stable (and will actually replace .NET 4.0) and more easily maintained. It should be available in Windows Update as an optional update.
    I concur - move to 4.5. (4.5.1). Installing 4.5.1 will automatically uninstall 4.0 and lots of updates the went along with 4.0. This is why the install for 4.5.1 can take some time. You can also download/install from here: Download Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5.1 (Offline Installer) for Windows Vista SP2, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows Server 2008 SP2 Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 and Windows Server 2012 from Official Microsoft Download Center

    As the title of that website mentions, you need to have Service Pack 1 installed for W7 before installing .NET 4.5.1. Your system specs does not mention what service pack you are using.

    After installing 4.5.1, the info listed in Programs and Features should change - however, the name of the service does not change:
    Attachment 303919


    ...just answering questions that no one asked
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