(I have drawn a red rectangle on this screenshot to highlight the relevant area, but you won't see this on your screen.)
This page explains how to install the .NET framework on your PC; this is a prerequisite for various applications (including mine), so it's a big job, but it only needs to be done once.
N.B. You will need to be logged in with local admin privileges on your machine in order to make these changes.
Go to Windows Update, check for Product Updates, and then scroll down to the "Recommended Updates" section:
(I have drawn a red rectangle on this screenshot to highlight the relevant area, but you won't see this on your screen.)
Tick the box that says "Microsoft .NET Framework version 1.1".
Click the "Download" link, then follow the instructions to download and install these updates; you won't need the installation CD for this. When it's finished, check for updates again, and you will see the service pack for the framework listed in the "Critical Updates" section. Download and install this, then reboot your machine, and you're done.
Go to Microsoft Update (the upgraded version of Windows Update), and click the "Custom" button.
Click on the "Software (Optional)" link on the left, and you will find "Microsoft .NET Framework version 1.1", needing to be installed on its own. After you've installed it, check for updates again, and get the service pack (this requires a reboot). Then check for updates a third time, and get the security update that follows the service pack. After this, you should be done, but it's a good idea to check this website regularly, and/or configure your machine to install new updates automatically.
The framework is also implemented on Windows 98 and Windows ME, but not 3.x or 95. I haven't installed it on these versions of Windows recently, so I don't have detailed instructions, but if you go through Windows Update then you should find it.
The Microsoft .NET framework is only available for Windows, but the alternative is Mono; I haven't tested my applications on it, but in theory they should work, and I'd be interested to hear back from anyone who does try this out.
This page was last updated on 2005-10-24 by John C. Kirk
