If you only install the Runtime, you can run .NET 4.5 applications on your PC, but Visual Studio will throw an error stating that the target framework is missing when you try to compile code. Step-by-Step Installation Guide
Right-click the downloaded file and select . Accept the Microsoft Software License Terms. Click Install and wait for the progress bar to complete. Restart your computer if prompted by the installer. Step 3: Verify Visual Studio Availability Open Visual Studio . Open your project or create a new one.
This is the cleanest method, as it uses Microsoft's official, supported tooling for modern development environments. net framework 45 developer pack link
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Error: "The target framework '.NETFramework,Version=v4.5' was not found" If you only install the Runtime, you can run
https://learn.microsoft.com/dotnet/framework/install/guide-for-developers
Microsoft no longer provides a standalone developer pack for the original .NET Framework 4.5. Support for .NET Framework 4.5 ended on January 12, 2016. For .NET Framework 4.5.2, 4.6, and 4.6.1, support ended on April 26, 2022. If you need to develop for .NET Framework 4.5 specifically, consider using the NuGet reference assemblies method described below. Click Install and wait for the progress bar to complete
This architecture has significant implications for developers: if your system has .NET Framework 4.8 installed, you cannot "install" .NET Framework 4.5—but you can still target it using reference assemblies from the Developer Pack or NuGet.
If you are provisioning a fresh machine, it is generally advised to install your IDE first, followed by the .NET Developer Pack. This ensures the environment properly registers the reference assemblies upon first launch.