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Are there any good reasons to use .NET Framework 4 Client Profile instead of the full version?

I mean, real-life reasons. I am creating a .NET application, and since it's quite easy to create an installer that will install the .NET framework on a client machine, why bother using the Client Profile?

Peter Mortensen
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    Arguably, the fact that Microsoft has discontinued the client profile for .NET 4.5 suggests that the benefits of faster deployment and a smaller install package are marginal at best. – Joe Oct 25 '13 at 18:59

4 Answers4

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The documentation answers this:

The .NET Framework 4 Client Profile is a subset of the .NET Framework 4 that is optimized for client applications. It provides functionality for most client applications, including Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), Windows Forms, Windows Communication Foundation (WCF), and ClickOnce features. This enables faster deployment and a smaller install package for applications that target the .NET Framework 4 Client Profile.

A smaller install package could be a bonus, especially if you're targeting non-traditional devices like tablets with less storage space. It's also a shorter download time if the Framework needs to be installed.

David
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    As of .Net 4.5 client profile will no longer be available since they were able to shrink the size of the .net framework redistributable – Chris Klepeis Oct 30 '13 at 18:03
  • Does this imply restrictions on dependent components to be also targeted to client profile framework? – Johnny_D Apr 23 '14 at 08:59
  • @ChrisKlepeis See also MS Doc of 2017: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/framework/deployment/client-profile . Client Profile is discontinued, however, if 4.5 is installed, the Client Profile is automatically updated to the full 4.5. Confusing, but also a non-problem. – Roland Nov 03 '17 at 11:07
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Applications that target the .NET Framework 4 Client Profile typically improve the deployment experience by having smaller download sizes and quicker install times. An application that targets the .NET Framework 4 Client Profile has a smaller redistribution package that installs the minimum set of client assemblies on the user's computer, without requiring the full version of the .NET Framework 4 to be present.

Wouter de Kort
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A good answer can be found in Stack Overflow question Differences between Microsoft .NET 4.0 full Framework and Client Profile. Basically, only use the full framework if you know you need to. Normal client applications should only need the client framework.

Community
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hspain
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Some reasons:

  • The client profile has been available as a recommended update on Windows Update since Vista (ref: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/982670), so chances are you don't need to install it at all on your target machines
  • being a separate profile it will be updated separately (so clients will not need to update as much, if a security patch for a server-only feature is released)
Paolo Falabella
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