How to find the .NET framework version of a Visual Studio project?

Question

I have a project in Visual Studio. How can I find out which .NET Framework version it's for?

SLaks · Answer 1 · 2018-12-04T19:10:04.767

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It depends which version of Visual Studio:

In 2002, all projects use .Net 1.0
In 2003, all projects use .Net 1.1
In 2005, all projects use .Net 2.0
In 2008, projects use .Net 2.0, 3.0, or 3.5; you can change the version in Project Properties
In 2010, projects use .Net 2.0, 3.0, 3.5, or 4.0; you can change the version in Project Properties
In 2012, projects use .Net 2.0, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 or 4.5; you can change the version in Project Properties

Newer versions of Visual Studio support many versions of the .Net framework; check your project type and properties.

edited Dec 04 '18 at 19:10

answered Jul 12 '10 at 19:34

SLaks

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i m in 2008. but dont know which version is used by current project. – Novice Developer Jul 12 '10 at 19:37
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So go to Project Properties for the current project. – SLaks Jul 12 '10 at 19:41
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i got you. i can see version. – Novice Developer Jul 12 '10 at 19:44
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Then you should accept this answer by clicking the hollow check. – SLaks Jul 12 '10 at 20:08
is it need to change web.config ? – Niks Aug 31 '12 at 05:21
@Niks: Yes (for ASP.Net projects) – SLaks Aug 31 '12 at 13:14
I've updated the version to 3.5 in the project properties, but when I goto publish>prerequisites there is still .net 4.5 checked and hasn't changed. Does that mean the version hasn't been changed yet? @SLaks – Kamran Ahmed Jul 28 '13 at 06:35
What default version is the .NET Framework for VS 2008 express? – Rickard B. Feb 05 '15 at 16:34
@RickardB.: The default framework for any VS version is the latest supported framework; you can see it in the New Project dialog. – SLaks Feb 05 '15 at 16:38
@SLaks So that would mean that in 2008, the .NET default framework would be 4.0? – Rickard B. Feb 05 '15 at 16:42
@RickardB.: I mean the latest supported framework in that VS version. 2008 supports 3.5. – SLaks Feb 05 '15 at 16:44
@SLaks Thank you for the information, but did it support 3.5 as soon as it came out? – Rickard B. Feb 05 '15 at 16:50
@RickardB.: .Net 3.5 was released together with VS2008. – SLaks Feb 05 '15 at 17:35
Can this answer be updated for newer versions of VS? This answer is the top google result for this question in general, not specific to VS version. – levininja Sep 07 '17 at 21:59
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@levininja: For newer versions, it depends entirely on the project. – SLaks Dec 04 '18 at 19:09

score 95 · Answer 2 · edited May 12 '22 at 14:33

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VB Proj

Project Properties -> Compiler Tab -> Advanced Compile Options button

C# Proj

Project Properties -> Application Tab

edited May 12 '22 at 14:33

KyleMit

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answered Jul 12 '10 at 19:38

Jonathan Allen

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Similarly in VS2019 - Properties -> Application -> Target Framework – JGFMK Jul 28 '19 at 11:08

score 53 · Answer 3 · edited Dec 19 '17 at 16:24

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The simplest way to find the framework version of the current .NET project is:

Right-click on the project and go to "Properties."
In the first tab, "Application," you can see the target framework this project is using.

edited Dec 19 '17 at 16:24

bubbleking

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answered Dec 11 '12 at 07:28

Chetan S

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score 14 · Answer 4 · edited May 10 '23 at 19:03

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You can also search the Visual Studio project files for the XML tag RequiredTargetFramework. This tag seems to exist on .NET 3.5 and higher.

For example: <RequiredTargetFramework>3.5</RequiredTargetFramework>

You might have the element <TargetFrameworkVersion>, and learn more about the difference here

edited May 10 '23 at 19:03

Nate Anderson

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answered Nov 01 '11 at 05:14

uglydawg

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Worked well in a large solution to just use Notepad++ and search in file for all *.csproj files. One note though the value on my end had a **v** in front. v4.0 – Marius Vorster May 09 '16 at 12:41
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There is a difference between `TargetFrameworkVersion` and `RequiredTargetFramework` – Marcel Mar 29 '19 at 10:22
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@Marcel what is the difference? – caduceus Nov 27 '19 at 09:49
I guess, one is required, other is just set – 8oris Jun 01 '22 at 08:03

score 6 · Answer 5 · answered Nov 28 '14 at 07:16

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Simple Right Click and go to Properties Option of any project on your Existing application and see the Application option on Left menu and then click on Application option see target Framework to see current Framework version .

answered Nov 28 '14 at 07:16

404 Not found

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score 4 · Answer 6 · answered Jan 18 '19 at 11:15

With Respect to .NET Framework 4.6 and Visual Studio 2017 you can take the below steps:

On the option bar at the top of visual studio, select the 4th option "Project" and under that click on the last option which says [ProjectName]Properties.Click on it & you shall see a new tab has been opened.Under that select the Application option on the left and you will see the .NET Framework version by the name "Target Framework".
Under Solution Explorer's tab select your project and press Alt + Enter.
OR simply Right-click on your project and click on the last option which says Properties.

score 2 · Answer 7 · edited May 17 '15 at 07:08

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It's as easy as in your Visual studio.

go to the 4th menu option on top, 'website'.
under websites go to option, 'start options'.
under start options, go to 'build' option.
change the target framework there to what so ever framework.

edited May 17 '15 at 07:08

nikoshr

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answered May 17 '15 at 07:01

Jiby Matthews

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There is no "website" in my menu of Visual Studio. 4th option is "Project". And the question wasn't about changing the framework... – The incredible Jan Jan 18 '22 at 11:49

score 2 · Answer 8 · edited Jul 14 '20 at 09:37

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In Solution Explorer, open the context menu for the project that you want to change, and then choose Properties.
In the left column of the Properties window, choose the Application tab.
In the Target Framework list, you will see the current version of .NET framework on the project. You may also change the framework from there.

edited Jul 14 '20 at 09:37

ndreisg

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answered Jul 14 '20 at 09:29

Kerioh

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There is no Application tab on the left column of the properties window. – Cole Perry Jan 21 '21 at 16:09
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@ColePerry You have to right-click on one of the project, not on the solution. You should be seeing Application tab – Akhil Nov 10 '21 at 08:10

Munawar Hassan · Answer 9 · 2022-03-17T06:24:29.750

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Open packages.config file all detail about packages and their versions which are installed into the current project listed there. follow given shot

here all installed packages

edited Mar 17 '22 at 06:24

answered Mar 16 '22 at 05:17

Munawar Hassan

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score 0 · Answer 10 · answered Aug 27 '14 at 15:06

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You can't change the targeted version of either Windows or the .NET Framework if you create your project in Visual Studio 2013. That option is not available anymore.

Look that link from Microsoft: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb398202.aspx

answered Aug 27 '14 at 15:06

Mellina

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Unless I'm misunderstanding you, this is absolutely not true. The note you're referencing only applies to Windows Store apps. Changing the targeted version of the .Net Framework is possible (and commonly done!) for the lion's share of project types. – bubbleking Dec 19 '17 at 16:15

score -1 · Answer 11 · answered Apr 04 '22 at 14:10

Updating for 2022...

refer to: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/core/install/windows?tabs=net60

.NET SDK version	Visual Studio version
6.0	Visual Studio 2022 version 17.0 or higher.
5.0	Visual Studio 2019 version 16.8 or higher.
3.1	Visual Studio 2019 version 16.4 or higher.
3.0	Visual Studio 2019 version 16.3 or higher.
2.2	Visual Studio 2017 version 15.9 or higher.
2.1	Visual Studio 2017 version 15.7 or higher.

How to find the .NET framework version of a Visual Studio project?

11 Answers11

VB Proj

C# Proj

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