How to Download and Install .NET on Windows 11

If you’ve ever tried to run or build a Windows app and encountered messages like “.NET runtime not found” or “this application requires .NET Framework,” then it’s time to install .NET properly.

The .NET platform is essential for running modern software — from productivity tools to big enterprise systems. It powers many applications that depend on Microsoft’s environment. Luckily, installing .NET on Windows 11 is simple when you know what version you need and how to install it the right way.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know — from checking whether .NET is already installed to installing different versions (.NET SDK, .NET Framework, and Runtimes) both manually and through Windows features.

What Is .NET and Why You Need It

.NET is a unified development platform by Microsoft used for building, running, and maintaining applications across desktop, web, mobile, and cloud. It’s composed of three major components:

1. .NET SDK (Software Development Kit) – Used by developers to build apps using C#, F#, or VB.NET.
2. .NET Runtime – Runs .NET apps built using the SDK.
3. .NET Framework – The legacy Windows-only version used by older software.

On Windows 11, some parts of .NET Framework (like 4.8) are already preinstalled, but developers or certain apps may require specific or newer versions such as .NET 6, 7, or 8.

Step 1: Check if .NET Is Already Installed

Before downloading a new version, you can quickly check whether .NET is already available on your PC.

Option 1 — Using Command Prompt

Open Command Prompt and type:

dotnet --info

If you see details such as version number and installation path, it means you already have .NET installed.

Option 2 — Using File Explorer

Navigate to:

C:\Program Files\dotnet\

If this folder exists and contains subfolders like sdk and shared, .NET is installed.

Option 3 — Using Windows Features

1. Press Windows + R, type optionalfeatures, and hit Enter.
2. Check if .NET Framework 3.5 or .NET Framework 4.8 is enabled.
3. If unchecked, you can enable them right here without needing to download separately.

Step 2: Download the Correct .NET Version

Visit Microsoft’s official .NET download page: https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download

You’ll see several sections such as:

• .NET 8 (Latest) — Recommended for new projects.
• .NET 6 (LTS) — Long-Term Support version for stability.
• .NET Framework 4.8.1 — Best for running older desktop apps.

Choose wisely:

• Download .NET Runtime → if you only need to run apps.
• Download .NET SDK → if you want to develop apps.

Click on the x64 Installer link (or x86/ARM if needed) and save the file.

Step 3: Install .NET on Windows 11

1. Locate the downloaded .exe file (usually in your Downloads folder).
2. Double-click it to launch the installer.
3. Approve the User Account Control prompt by clicking Yes.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions.
5. When installation finishes, click Close or Finish.

Pro Tip: The installer automatically configures your system PATH, so you can immediately start using .NET commands in CMD or PowerShell.

Step 4: Verify the Installation

After installation, confirm everything is working by running:

dotnet --version

If you get a version number like 8.0.100, the installation succeeded.

For more detailed information, type:

dotnet --list-sdks
dotnet --list-runtimes

These commands show all installed SDKs and runtime environments available on your PC.

Step 5: Install Older .NET Framework Versions (Optional)

Some older programs still rely on .NET Framework 3.5 or 4.7.
You can easily enable them via Windows Features:

1. Press Windows + S, search for Windows Features, and open it.
2. Check the box for .NET Framework 3.5 (includes 2.0 and 3.0).
3. Click OK → Windows will download and install the required files.

Or, do it using Command Prompt (admin):

DISM /Online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:NetFx3 /All

This is especially handy if the feature installation fails via the GUI.

Step 6: Fix Common Installation Issues

1. “dotnet not recognized” error
Restart your PC or ensure the PATH variable includes:

C:\Program Files\dotnet\

2. Installation fails halfway
Run the installer as Administrator, disable antivirus temporarily, or ensure Windows Update is active.

3. App still asking for an older .NET version
Manually install the exact version required — you can find all past .NET Framework builds on Microsoft’s download archive page.

Step 7: (Optional) Install .NET via Command Line

If you prefer using the command line, here’s how to install .NET using winget or PowerShell:

Using Winget (Recommended for Developers)

winget install Microsoft.DotNet.SDK.8

Using PowerShell

You can automate the installation:

Invoke-WebRequest -Uri https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet/thank-you/sdk-8.0.100-windows-x64-installer -OutFile dotnet-sdk.exe
Start-Process -FilePath .\dotnet-sdk.exe -Wait

How to Uninstall or Manage .NET Versions on Windows 11

If you want to remove an old SDK or runtime:

1. Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
2. Search for “.NET”.
3. Click Uninstall next to the version you want to remove.

Alternatively, delete manually from:

C:\Program Files\dotnet\

Conclusion

Installing .NET on Windows 11 is a must for both developers and end users who rely on modern apps. Whether you’re setting up the latest .NET 8 SDK for coding or just enabling .NET Framework 3.5 for compatibility, the process is simple, fast, and supported directly by Microsoft.

By following this guide, you’ve learned how to check, download, install, and verify .NET — plus how to fix common issues and manage versions efficiently.

Now you’re ready to run or develop .NET applications on your Windows 11 system smoothly.