Can I run a .NET app without installing .NET runtime?

Can I run a .NET app without installing .NET runtime?

I've written a small Windows app in C# using Visual Studio .NET and it runs fine on my machine. But if I put the EXE file on another computer, it won't run - it complains about missing DLL files. Do I have to install the .NET framework on every machine I want to run my program on? How come I can download small Windows applications from the internet and they run on any Windows machine? What language were these programs written in?

    Requires Free Membership to View

    Login

    When you register, you'll begin receiving targeted emails from my team of award-winning writers. Our goal is to provide a unique online resource for developers, architects and development managers tasked with building and maintaining enterprise applications using Visual Basic, C# and the Microsoft .NET platform.

    Hannah Smalltree, Editorial Director

    By submitting your registration information to SearchWinDevelopment.com you agree to receive email communications from TechTarget and TechTarget partners. We encourage you to read our Privacy Policy which contains important disclosures about how we collect and use your registration and other information. If you reside outside of the United States, by submitting this registration information you consent to having your personal data transferred to and processed in the United States. Your use of SearchWinDevelopment.com is governed by our Terms of Use. You may contact us at webmaster@TechTarget.com.

The .NET runtime is required to run any .NET application. You don't expect a Java app to run without installing the JRE, do you? .NET runtime works the same way.

This was first published in January 2005

Back to top