does .Net 4.5 include .Net 4.0

Question

I am developing a C# desktop application using Winforms. I created an installation strategy using visual studios click once installation tool. Luckily it provides clients to detect, download and setup the related prerequisite components.

My question is I started to develop this app with .NET 4.0 and then upgraded it to .NET 4.5 now on the prerequisites list both 4.5 and 4 is checked. i am wondering if i uncheck the .NET 4.0 component would it be alright?

does .NET 4.5 include .NET 4.0?

Answer 1

When .NET 4.5 is installed it effectively replaces .NET 4.0 on the machine. .NET 4.0 gets overwritten by a new version of .NET 4.5 which - according to Microsoft - is supposed to be 100% backwards compatible.

Read these very good articles on the same:

.NET 4.5 is an in-place replacement for .NET 4.0

.NET Versioning and Multi-Targeting - .NET 4.5 is an in-place upgrade to .NET 4.0

Answer 2

I think there is no need for 4.0 if you target 4.5

See Installing the .NET Framework 4.5

The .NET Framework 4.5 replaces the .NET Framework 4. When you install the .NET Framework 4.5 on a system that has the .NET Framework 4 installed, the assemblies are replaced.*