.NET Framework documentation

Learn about .NET Framework, a development platform for building apps for web, Windows, and Microsoft Azure.

Learn about .NET Framework

Overview

• .NET Framework overview
• System requirements

Get started

• .NET Framework on Q&A

Concept

• Older versions of .NET Framework

Deploy

• Deployment guide for developers

Reference

• .NET Framework APIs

Install .NET Framework

Download

• Download the .NET SDK

Overview

• Installation guide

Concept

• .NET Framework & Windows versions

How-To Guide

• Determine which versions are installed
• Install .NET Framework on Windows 11
• Install .NET Framework 3.5
• Install the developer pack or redistributable
• Troubleshoot blocked installations

Create Windows service apps

Overview

• Introduction to Windows service apps

Tutorial

• Create a Windows service app

How-To Guide

• Install and uninstall Windows services

Create desktop apps

Overview

• Desktop guide introduction
• WPF
• Windows Forms

Create WPF apps

Overview

• Overview of WPF

Tutorial

• Create your first WPF app in Visual Studio

Work with data using ADO.NET

Overview

• Overview of ADO.NET

Tutorial

• Model-first development using Entity Framework
• Database-first development using Entity Framework

Concept

• Connection strings and configuration files
• SQL Server connection pooling

How-To Guide

• Retrieve data using a DataReader
• Add data to a DataTable

Reference

• Connection string syntax
• Sample SQL Server databases