The Microsoft .NET framework is useful for running a number of newer software applications for Windows. The .NET framework 2.0 is available for free download and can be installed on Windows 98 and 98 Second Edition, Windows ME, Windows 2000 (with Service Pack 3), Windows XP (with Service Pack 2) and Windows Server 2003. The .NET framework 3.0 is included with Windows Vista and supersedes .NET 2.0.
Instructions
1. Download Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0. You can obtain the installation package through Microsoft Update at update.microsoft.com for installation on your computer, or you can download the redistributable file from microsoft.com/downloads for installation on another computer. To download through Microsoft Update, open Internet Explorer go to update.microsoft.com. Click "Custom." It may take a minute or two for the website to generate a list of available updates for your computer.
2. Select the Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 link. Deselect any other listed updates. Click on "Review and install updates." Click the "Install Updates" button. The download will begin automatically, and Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 will automatically install at the end of the download. Restart your computer after the installation.
3. Go to microsoft.com/downloads if you wish to download the redistributable package instead. In the search box, type "microsoft redistributable .NET 2.0" and press your "Enter" key. Click on ".NET Framework Version 2.0 Redistributable Package (x86)." Click the "Download" button, and choose where to save the redistributable package.
4. Browse to the location where you saved the package, and double-click on "dotnetfx.exe." Follow the on-screen installation instructions. When installation is finished, restart your computer.
5. Install the latest service pack for the .NET Framework 2.0. You may either obtain the service pack through Microsoft Update or by doing a search on the microsoft.com/downloads website. Installation instructions will be essentially identical to the procedure you followed for initially installing the .NET framework. You may be required to restart your computer when the service pack installation is complete.
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