Can't launch my app because of 'you must install .NET Desktop Runtime' popup

Question

Can't launch my app because of 'you must install .NET Desktop Runtime' popup

Connor Frayne 35

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to run my application I've just installed on my computer but I'm having an issue with my .NET Runtime. I've been debugging this application in Visual Studio Community 2022 v17.10.2 and it works fine when I start it through Visual Studio but when I create an installer, install and run the application I get this popup.

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I've attempted installs from both inno setup and Visual Studio Installer projects and neither work. I'm 1000% sure I have .net 8.0.6 Desktop Runtime x64. The Download link doesn't lead anywhere and the Download it now button just closes the popup(nothing is downloaded). Any ideas?

Thank you,

Connor Frayne

Connor Frayne 35 Reputation points

2024-06-12T17:36:19.62+00:00

Here's what happens when I try to add a .net runtime installer as a prequisite for my VS Installer Project.
ERROR: To enable 'Download prerequisites from the same location as my application' in the Prerequisites dialog box, you must download file 'net8coreruntime_x64\dotnet-runtime-8.0.5-win-x64.exe' for item '.NET Runtime 8.0.5 (x64)' to your local machine. For more information, see http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=616018.
Larry C 20 Reputation points

2024-09-19T16:52:08.9633333+00:00

I am having the same problem, except for .net desktop runtime 8.0.8 which I have installed the runtime desktop 8.0.8. We're you able to figure it out? it's been over a month
Nick 0 Reputation points

2025-06-05T20:09:01.4966667+00:00

I'm having the same issue. It has suddenly popped up on some of my organization's computers after updating to 24H2. I'm not sure if those two things are related though. I've tried reinstalling the .Net Runtime and it didn't work. Now, I'm just uninstalling the Dell Optimizer app on all affected computers as it is unnecessary anyway.

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Connor Frayne 35 Reputation points

2024-06-12T17:36:19.62+00:00

Here's what happens when I try to add a .net runtime installer as a prequisite for my VS Installer Project.
ERROR: To enable 'Download prerequisites from the same location as my application' in the Prerequisites dialog box, you must download file 'net8coreruntime_x64\dotnet-runtime-8.0.5-win-x64.exe' for item '.NET Runtime 8.0.5 (x64)' to your local machine. For more information, see http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=616018.
Larry C 20 Reputation points

2024-09-19T16:52:08.9633333+00:00

I am having the same problem, except for .net desktop runtime 8.0.8 which I have installed the runtime desktop 8.0.8. We're you able to figure it out? it's been over a month
Nick 0 Reputation points

2025-06-05T20:09:01.4966667+00:00

I'm having the same issue. It has suddenly popped up on some of my organization's computers after updating to 24H2. I'm not sure if those two things are related though. I've tried reinstalling the .Net Runtime and it didn't work. Now, I'm just uninstalling the Dell Optimizer app on all affected computers as it is unnecessary anyway.

Answer 1

Tianyu Sun-MSFT 34,446 Microsoft External Staff

Hello @Connor Frayne,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum.

I think the error message is clear enough, the .NET Desktop Runtime is missing.

I notice that you are 1000% sure that you have .NET 8.0.6 Desktop Runtime x64. I don’t doubt that, but maybe you can also try to install version 8.0.5. You can download here: .NET Desktop Runtime 8.0.5.

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Here’s what happens when I try to add a .NET Runtime installer as a perquisite for my VS Installer Project.

Try to download ".NET Desktop Runtime 8.0.5 x64" file and put it under this directory: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\2022\Community\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\BootstrapperPackages\net8desktopruntime_x64, rebuild your project, see if this error disappears.

Sincerely,

Tianyu

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Connor Frayne 35 Reputation points

2024-06-13T12:27:03.44+00:00

Hi @Tianyu Sun-MSFT ,
The issue hasn't disappeared after doing to installation.
Thank you,
Connor Frayne
Tianyu Sun-MSFT 34,446 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2024-06-14T07:15:08.5066667+00:00

Hello @Connor Frayne,

Thanks for your reply.

If the runtime can be confirmed that has been installed, then I doubt some or one certain configuration file was missing(or was not included).

The build process generates several files except the .exe and .dll files. Like the .deps.json and .runtimeconfig.json files. They should be stored in bin\Debug\XXXX by default.

Not sure if you modified some files or moved some of files to another folder, but if you keep these files in the same folder and directly run the .exe file, will it run?

If you create a new project, without changing anything, just build and run it(or packaging it by using the Setup project), will this issue be reproducible?

BTW, if trying another way => publishing the project(right-click the project > Publish > follow the wizard > select "Self-contained" for Deployment mode), will this issue disappear?
Connor Frayne 35 Reputation points

2024-06-14T17:58:44.92+00:00

Hi @Tianyu Sun-MSFT ,

Running the .exe works.
On creating a new solution and running the proj through Visual Studio works fine.
Publishing it through Visual Studio does this

Log Creator is just a test program so I could just delete it, but when I try to unlist it as a dependency to the main project this popup comes up.

How can I get rid of it?

Thank you,
Connor Frayne
Tianyu Sun-MSFT 34,446 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2024-06-17T08:40:47.1966667+00:00

Hi @Connor Frayne,

You can try to manually remove it in the project file(right-click the project > Unload Project > right-click it again > Edit Project File).

In the project file, focus on the <ProjectReference> or related tags, remove that line or comment that line, then reload your project, test again.
Tianyu Sun-MSFT 34,446 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2024-07-01T01:57:07.94+00:00

Hi @Connor Frayne ,

We have not heard from you for a couple of days. Do you still meet this issue?

Feel free to let me know if there is anything that I can help here:)
Connor Frayne 35 Reputation points

2024-07-03T15:24:56.86+00:00

Hi @Tianyu Sun-MSFT ,
Issue was resolved.

Thank you,

Connor Frayne
Tianyu Sun-MSFT 34,446 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2024-07-04T01:33:59.28+00:00

You are welcome. Happy to hear that.

Regards,

Tianyu

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Can't launch my app because of 'you must install .NET Desktop Runtime' popup

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