.net – OS Compatibility for various .NET Framework versions

netversion-compatibilitywindows

What are the minimum OS requirements for each of the .Net frameworks? E.g. for which version is it impossible to run each OS on:

  • Windows 95
  • Windows 98
  • Windows 98SE
  • Windows ME
  • Windows NT 3.x
  • Windows NT 4
  • Windows 2000

I believe all .Net frameworks are compatible w/ XP, Vista, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Server 2008 (please correct me on that if wrong).

Best Answer

1.x and 2.0 work all the way back to Win98 but stop before Windows 8 (not verified).


.NET Framework 2.0 Supported Operating Systems according to Microsoft:

  • Windows 98
  • Windows ME
  • Windows 2000
  • Windows XP
  • Windows Vista (included with OS)
  • Windows Server 2003
  • Windows Server 2008 (included with OS)

.NET Framework 3.0 Supported OSs:

  • Windows XP SP2
  • Windows Vista (included with OS)
  • Windows 7
  • Windows 8
  • Windows 2003 Server Service Pack 1 (SP1)

Note: Windows Vista comes with .NET Framework 3.0. Standalone .NET Framework 3.0 packages are not required and not supported on Vista.


.NET Framework 3.5 Supported OSs according to Microsoft:

  • Windows XP
  • Windows Vista
  • Windows 7 (included with OS)
  • Windows 8 & 8.1 see
  • Windows Server 2003
  • Windows Server 2008
  • Windows Server 2012 & 2012 R2 see

.NET Framework 4.0 Supported OSs according to Microsoft:

  • Windows XP (but not Starter, Media Center or Tablet editions)
  • Windows Vista
  • Windows 7
  • Windows 8
  • Windows 10
  • Windows Server 2003
  • Windows Server 2008

.NET Framework 4.5 Supported OSs according to Microsoft:

  • Windows Vista SP2
  • Windows 7
  • Windows 8 (included with OS)
  • Windows 10
  • Windows Server 2008 SP2/R2
  • Windows Server 2012 (included with OS)

.NET Framework 4.5.1/4.5.2/4.6 Supported OSs according to Microsoft:

  • Windows Vista SP2
  • Windows 7 SP1
  • Windows 8
  • Windows 8.1 (included with OS)
  • Windows 10 (4.6 included with OS)
  • Windows Server 2008 SP2/R2
  • Windows Server 2012 (included with OS)