Windows 7: Doesn't Net Framework 4.0 include previous 2,3 and 3.5 vesrions?

robilong · 17 Apr 2011

When trying to run MPEG4 modifier there is error: Net Framework Initialization Error: Unable to find a version of the runtime to run this application.

I have installed Net4.0C and net4.0E, according to MSIE report.

What is wrong with version 4.0?
Does one needs to install also all previous versions - 2, 3. 3.5???

Thank you!

profdlp · 17 Apr 2011

See if this clears it up:

Version Compatibility in the .NET Framework

Quote:

Version Compatibility for Applications

By default, an application runs on the version of the .NET Framework that it was built for. If that version is not present and the application configuration file does not define supported versions, a .NET Framework initialization error may occur. In this case, the attempt to run the application will fail.
To define the specific versions on which your application runs, add one or more <supportedRuntime> elements to your application's configuration file. Each <supportedRuntime> element lists a supported version of the runtime, with the first specifying the most preferred version and the last specifying the least preferred version.

Version Compatibility for Components

An application can control the version of the .NET Framework on which it runs, but a component cannot. Components and class libraries are loaded in the context of a particular application, and therefore automatically run on the version of the .NET Framework that the application runs on.
Because of this restriction, compatibility guarantees are especially important for components. Starting with the .NET Framework version 4, you can specify the degree to which a component is expected to remain compatible across multiple versions by applying the System.Runtime.Versioning.ComponentGuaranteesAttribute attribute to that component. Tools can use this attribute to detect potential violations of the compatibility guarantee in future versions of a component.

robilong · 17 Apr 2011

Thanks.
Sounds like a great mess :) but does that means I still have to find and download version 2, 3, 3.5, while MS states on 2.0 page that a newer version is available, which seems like a suggestion to go to new version.

How to understand download description from MS - I understand it's an update, which doesn't require any earlier versions:

Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5
Brief Description

Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 contains many new features building incrementally upon .NET Framework 2.0 and 3.0, and includes .NET Framework 2.0 service pack 1 and .NET Framework 3.0 service pack 1.

profdlp · 17 Apr 2011

That was not the clearest article I ever read, but the gist of it seems to be that:

A) The versions are cumulative, meaning that 4.0 alone should cover everything all the way back to 1.1, much like all the DirectX business works...

B)...unless the specific program involved can't figure out what it's supposed to do, in which case it means the programmer didn't include the <supportedRuntime> Element stuff...

C) ...leaving you no choice but to install the specific version the program expects to see. Microsoft assure us that they can all run side-by-side with no trouble. (And indeed they do, on my computer, anyway.)

I would look for the MPEG4 modifier specs and see which version it was designed for, then add that. You might also give the Compatibility Mode settings a shot, which might save you from installing and maintaining another .NET version solely for one program. :)

Phone Man · 17 Apr 2011

Go to Control Panel/Programs and Features and on the left side click on Turn Windows features on or off and make sure Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5.1 is shaded or checked. This will install .NET 2.0 thru 3.5.1. These files are included in Windows 7 and do not need to be downloaded.

Doesn't Net Framework 4.0 include previous 2,3 and 3.5 vesrions?-features.png

Doesn't Net Framework 4.0 include previous 2,3 and 3.5 vesrions?-features.png

Jim

Mike Connor · 18 Apr 2011

.net 4.0 supposedly includes all previous versions. However, the standard client often causes problems with various software because it is apparently not fully implemented.

All the problems I have seen with this can be solved by downloading the FULL .net 4.0 version. You can use the web installer or the standalone version;

Download details: Microsoft .NET Framework 4 (Standalone Installer)

This is the ONLY version I have installed on this machine and it works for all the software I use.

You need to run an update immediately after installing.

By the way, this does NOT show up in Windows Features;

EDIT: The checkboxes below the 3.5.1 entry are these;

More info; http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/libr...=vs.90%29.aspx

Regards....Mike Connor

Phone Man · 18 Apr 2011

It seems that .NET 4.0 is all you need for most programs but there is always a few that may not run. If a program can not work right with 4.0 the version it needs can be installed also and they will work together. See this link.

Version Compatibility in the .NET Framework

Jim

Phone Man · 18 Apr 2011

Mike,
Looking at your last post it shows a shaded box beside Microsoft .NET 3.5.1 in your picture. That means that .NET 2.0-3.5.1 is active on your system and you are not running ONLY .NET 4.0

Jim

Mike Connor · 18 Apr 2011

Quote: Originally Posted by Phone Man

Mike,
Looking at your last post it shows a shaded box beside Microsoft .NET 3.5.1 in your picture. That means that .NET 2.0-3.5.1 is active on your system and you are not running ONLY .NET 4.0

Jim

The shaded box merely indicates that the Communications Foundation boxes are not checked.

The standard .net components ( which currently appear to be 3.5.1),are installed with Windows, but the "standard" client does not work with a lot of software.

Regards....Mike Connor

Phone Man · 18 Apr 2011

Quote: Originally Posted by Mike Connor

Quote: Originally Posted by Phone Man

Mike,
Looking at your last post it shows a shaded box beside Microsoft .NET 3.5.1 in your picture. That means that .NET 2.0-3.5.1 is active on your system and you are not running ONLY .NET 4.0

Jim

The shaded box merely indicates that the Communications Foundation boxes are not checked.

The standard .net components ( which currently appear to be 3.5.1),are installed with Windows, but the "standard" client does not work with a lot of software.

Regards....Mike Connor

The shaded box indicates that only part of the feature is turned on. That means that .NET 2.0-3.5.1 is turned on and the Comm Foundation parts are not. If you click on the shaded box it will turn blank and it will turn OFF .NET 2.0-3.5.1.

So if a program wont run on 4.0 and needs one of the others that box needs to be shaded.

Jim