Share via

How to: Use the .NET Application Restore Tool 

  • Article

In .NET Framework version 1.1 and earlier, you can use the .NET Application Restore tool to correct applications that are running poorly because of changes in assembly binding. In later versions you must manually configure the assembly. You can access this tool either by using ConfigWizards.exe version 1.0 or 1.1, which is located in the common language runtime installation directory, or as a Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in using the Microsoft .NET Framework Configuration tool version 1.0 or 1.1.

To use the Microsoft .NET Framework Configuration Tool to correct assemblies running poorly due to assembly binding

  1. Click Start, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Microsoft .NET Framework Configuration or Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 Configuration.

  2. Select the application, and then click Fix Application from the shortcut menu.

NoteNote

To use the application restore tool, the application must have executed in a good state at least once.

The runtime provides this information for a managed application during assembly binding. When a change in assembly binding changes a managed application's behavior, new information is written to the runtime history file. The runtime uses this information to configure the application to run in the manner in which it was last working.

When you run the application restore tool, you select a previous configuration to use. You can also choose to run the application in Safe Mode, which allows you to reconfigure the application. Two files are created and stored within your application's root directory:

  • <appname>.exe.config.NAR00

    This file contains the original application configuration file settings. It is generated the first time the application is run.

  • <appname>.exe.config.NAR01

    This file contains the current application configuration file settings. It is updated when the application restore tool has been run successfully against an application.

See Also

Concepts

Configuring Assembly Binding Redirection
Assembly Binding Redirection

Other Resources

Creating Multiple Versions of an Application or Component