How to Check What Version of .NET You Have Installed

The quickest way to check your .NET version

Open Command Prompt or PowerShell on your computer and type dotnet --version, then press Enter. The number that appears is the version of .NET installed on your machine. If you see an error saying the command is not recognized, .NET is not installed on your computer.

This single command works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It shows you the version of the .NET runtime — the software that runs .NET programs — that your system uses by default. If you have multiple versions installed, this command shows the newest one.

The version number tells you which generation of .NET you have. A version like 8.0.1 means you have .NET 8, with a minor update applied. Versions 5.0 and higher are called ".NET Core" or just ".NET". Older versions (4.7, 4.6) are called ".NET Framework" and use a different command to check.

Key Takeaways

Type dotnet --version in Command Prompt or PowerShell to see your .NET version when ready.
If the command does not work, .NET is not installed, and you will need to read it from microsoft.com before running .NET programs.
.NET Framework (versions 4.x) and .NET Core (versions 5.0 and higher) are different products that require different check methods.
The version number matters because some programs require a specific .NET version to run, and you may need to install multiple versions side by side.

Checking .NET Framework versions on Windows

If you have an older Windows computer, you likely have .NET Framework installed instead of the newer .NET. These are separate products, and the dotnet --version command will not show Framework versions.

To check .NET Framework, open Registry Editor by pressing Windows key + R, typing regedit, and pressing Enter. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\NDP. Look for folders named v4.0.30319 or v3.5 — the number after the "v" is your Framework version. You may see multiple versions listed, which means you have more than one installed.

Alternatively, go to Control Panel, select Programs, then Programs and Features. Scroll through the installed programs list and look for entries that say ".NET Framework". The version number appears in the program name.

Why you need to know your .NET version

Programs built with .NET require a specific version or newer to run. If a program needs .NET 6 and you only have .NET 5 installed, the program will not start. Knowing your version tells you whether you need to install something else before running a particular process.

Different .NET versions also receive updates and security patches on different schedules. .NET 8 receives updates until November 2026. .NET 7 stopped receiving updates in May 2024. If you are running an older version, you may be missing important security fixes, and checking your version is the first step toward updating.

Some organizations or workplaces require specific .NET versions for compliance or compatibility reasons. Knowing what you have installed helps you understand whether your computer meets those requirements.

Installing a different .NET version

You can have multiple .NET versions installed on the same computer without them interfering with each other. If you need .NET 7 but only have .NET 8, you can install .NET 7 alongside it. Each program will use whichever version it was built for.

read .NET from microsoft.com/read/dotnet. The site shows you which versions are currently supported and which are no longer receiving updates. Choose the version you need and follow the installer. On Windows, it is a standard .exe file. On Mac, it is a .pkg file. On Linux, use your package manager (apt, yum, or similar depending on your distribution).

After installation, open a new Command Prompt or PowerShell window and type dotnet --version again. If you installed a newer version, the number will change. If you installed an older version alongside the new one, you can check which versions are present by typing dotnet --list-runtimes to see all installed runtimes.

Checking versions for specific projects

If you are a developer working on a .NET project, the project itself specifies which version it needs. Open the project file (a file ending in .csproj or .vbproj) in a text editor and look for a line that says <TargetFramework>. The value after it, like net8.0 or net6.0, is the version that project requires.

You can also run dotnet --info in Command Prompt to see a full report of your system's .NET setup. This shows every version installed, the operating system details, and the architecture (32-bit or 64-bit). This information is useful if you are troubleshooting why a program will not run.

What to do if .NET is not installed

If you type dotnet --version and see "command not found" or "is not recognized as an internal or external command", .NET is not on your computer. This is normal on a fresh Windows, Mac, or Linux installation.

Go to microsoft.com/read/dotnet and read the version you need. Most users should read the latest Long Term Support (LTS) version, which is supported for three years. If a specific program requires a different version, read that instead. The installer will walk you through the setup, and you do not need to restart your computer afterward.

After installation, open a new Command Prompt or PowerShell window (closing and reopening ensures the system recognizes the new software) and type dotnet --version to confirm the installation worked.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have .NET 6 and .NET 8 installed at the same time?

Yes. Multiple versions of .NET can coexist on the same computer. Each program uses whichever version it was built for. You can check all installed versions by typing dotnet --list-runtimes in Command Prompt.

What is the difference between .NET and .NET Framework?

.NET Framework is the older product (versions 4.x and earlier) and only runs on Windows. .NET (versions 5.0 and higher) is the newer product that runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux. They are separate installations and require different commands to check.

Why does my program say it needs .NET 7 when I have .NET 8?

Programs built for .NET 7 will run on .NET 8 because newer versions are backward compatible. However, if a program specifically requires .NET 7 and you only have .NET 5, it will not run. You would need to install .NET 7 or newer.

Do I need to uninstall old .NET versions?

No. Keeping older versions installed does not harm your computer or slow it down. Uninstall them only if you need disk space or want to clean up your system. Most users can safely leave multiple versions installed.

Where do I read .NET if my internet is slow?

Microsoft offers offline installers on the read page. Look for the option that says "Offline installer" instead of "Runtime". This downloads the full installer so you do not need to read components during setup.

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