.NET Desktop Runtime and .NET Runtime

MicrosoftLinks checked

The runtime that apps built on modern .NET need. For a desktop program, install the .NET Desktop Runtime; for a console app, the .NET Runtime.

Publisher
Microsoft
Version
.NET 10 (LTS), runtime 10.0.13
Type
Installer
Runs on
Windows x64, Windows x86, Windows Arm64
Price
Free download from the official site

Official download links

  • Installer.NET 10 runtime downloads (Desktop Runtime, Runtime, Hosting Bundle)dotnet.microsoft.comOpen official page
  • Product pageAll .NET versionsdotnet.microsoft.comOpen official page
  • Installer.NET Framework 4.8.1For older apps that need .NET Framework 4.xdotnet.microsoft.comOpen official page

When a program says "To run this application, you must install .NET", it means modern .NET (version 5 and later), not the .NET Framework that is built into Windows. Microsoft's download page has three runtime packages for Windows: the .NET Desktop Runtime for desktop apps (it includes the base runtime), the .NET Runtime for console apps, and the ASP.NET Core Hosting Bundle for web apps on a server.

Install the major version the app asks for. Versions install side by side, so adding .NET 10 does not remove .NET 8. .NET 10 is the current long-term support release.

Older programs that ask for .NET Framework 3.5 or 4.x need the .NET Framework instead; its installers are on a separate Microsoft page.

System requirements

  • Windows 10 or Windows 11 (check the app's own requirements)
  • Administrator rights

How to install

  1. Note the version the error message asks for (for example 8.0 or 10.0) and whether it says Desktop Runtime.
  2. Open the official .NET runtime page for that version and download the Windows installer that matches the app: x64 for most PCs, x86 for 32-bit apps, Arm64 for Arm PCs.
  3. Run the installer and select Install, then start the app again.
  4. To see which runtimes are already installed, run in PowerShell or Command Prompt:
    PowerShell
    dotnet --list-runtimes

Download safely

We link only to the publisher's own site and do not host installers or disk images. Avoid "pre-activated" or modified builds and third-party mirrors: they are a common way to spread malware, and they cannot be verified.

Sources

  1. Download .NET 10.0 RuntimeOfficial
  2. Download .NETOfficial

More in System components & runtimes