Is there an easy way to check the .NET Framework version?

Question

The problem is that I need to know if it's version 3.5 SP 1. Environment.Version() only returns 2.0.50727.3053.

I found this solution, but I think it will take much more time than it's worth, so I'm looking for a simpler one. Is it possible?

Answer 1

Something like this should do it. Just grab the value from the registry

For .NET 1-4:

Framework is the highest installed version, SP is the service pack for that version.

RegistryKey installed_versions = Registry.LocalMachine.OpenSubKey(@"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\NDP"); string[] version_names = installed_versions.GetSubKeyNames(); //version names start with 'v', eg, 'v3.5' which needs to be trimmed off before conversion double Framework = Convert.ToDouble(version_names[version_names.Length - 1].Remove(0, 1), CultureInfo.InvariantCulture); int SP = Convert.ToInt32(installed_versions.OpenSubKey(version_names[version_names.Length - 1]).GetValue("SP", 0)); 

For .NET 4.5+ (from official documentation):

using System; using Microsoft.Win32;   ...   private static void Get45or451FromRegistry() {     using (RegistryKey ndpKey = RegistryKey.OpenBaseKey(RegistryHive.LocalMachine, RegistryView.Registry32).OpenSubKey("SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\NET Framework Setup\\NDP\\v4\\Full\\")) {         int releaseKey = Convert.ToInt32(ndpKey.GetValue("Release"));         if (true) {             Console.WriteLine("Version: " + CheckFor45DotVersion(releaseKey));         }     } }   ...   // Checking the version using >= will enable forward compatibility,   // however you should always compile your code on newer versions of  // the framework to ensure your app works the same.  private static string CheckFor45DotVersion(int releaseKey) {     if (releaseKey >= 528040) {         return "4.8 or later";     }     if (releaseKey >= 461808) {         return "4.7.2 or later";     }     if (releaseKey >= 461308) {         return "4.7.1 or later";     }     if (releaseKey >= 460798) {         return "4.7 or later";     }     if (releaseKey >= 394802) {         return "4.6.2 or later";     }     if (releaseKey >= 394254) {         return "4.6.1 or later";     }     if (releaseKey >= 393295) {         return "4.6 or later";     }     if (releaseKey >= 393273) {         return "4.6 RC or later";     }     if ((releaseKey >= 379893)) {         return "4.5.2 or later";     }     if ((releaseKey >= 378675)) {         return "4.5.1 or later";     }     if ((releaseKey >= 378389)) {         return "4.5 or later";     }     // This line should never execute. A non-null release key should mean      // that 4.5 or later is installed.      return "No 4.5 or later version detected"; }