.Net Framework 4 Full and Net Framework 4 Client Profile Targeting

Question

I wanted to target my .net application to .NetFramework 4(Client Profile) but later i recognized that a 3rd party control uses System.Design for implementing custom control.

Now im concerned about the users, as most will have .Net Framework 4 Client Profile installed on their system rather than .Net Framework 4 Full. Will the users find it annoying to download and install the Full Framework. But there is only a minor size difference client- 41mb and full- 48 mb.

Does most .net applications require client profile only? Also is there a alternative way to use ControlDesigner class in c# with client profile.

Please help me out.

Answer 1

You simply need to select the full .NET 4 framework as the Target Framework. Trying to take any shortcut around that is going to blow up in your face. Well, your user's face most of all.

This just isn't a problem. Your Setup project needs to ensure that the right profile is available on the user's machine. Which does not involve a 48 megabyte download if she already has the Client profile, the .NET installer only downloads the missing pieces.