Last week I’ve shared with you a useful tip on how to check what version of .NET Framework is installed on your computer. I’ve shared on 2 ways to check the .NET Framework installed that is from Add or Remove Programs and ASoft .NET Version Detector 2007. Other readers chipped in by sharing the Microsoft method, Free DotNet VersionCheck Utility and Detect DotNet. What I really like about writing and posting everyday is I learn even more by sharing.
I discovered another simple yet effective method on checking what’s the “latest” version of .NET Framework is installed on your computer and it tells you the smallest, easiest download you’d need to get the .NET Framework on your system. Amazingly, this is all done without using any third party software. Just make sure you have a working Internet Explorer web browser and internet connection.
SmallestDotNet.com is a single page site that does one thing. It tells you the smallest, easiest download you’d need to get the .NET Framework on your system. The size of the .NET download is usually WAY smaller than you think it’ll be. There’s no database, no cookies, and nothing about your computer has been stored or kept. The website just look at the information your browser already reports about your computer and make a suggestion as to the best .NET Framework download for you.
Basically SmallestDotNet site looked at your browser’s “UserAgent” and figured out what version (if any) of the .NET Framework you have (or don’t have) installed, then calculated the total size if you chose to download the .NET Framework.

I went to Windows Update using my new Acer laptop running Windows Vista Business which has Microsoft .NET Framework version 3 installed by default but it didn’t prompt me to install the latest .NET Framework 3.5… Then I visited SmallestDotNet and it immediately tells me that it has detected .NET version 3.0. That’s a very recent version of the .NET Framework, but you can upgrade fairly easy to the 3.5 version by downloading the 2.8 meg installer for .NET Framework 3.5 SP1. The .NET installer is smart enough to look at your system and automatically download the smallest upgrade package possible. For you, it’ll probably be only 10 megabytes total.

Clicking the blue colored Get .NET button directs me to download the latest .NET installer. The installer will then download only the required files to install .NET Framework 3.5 SP1. Searching in Microsoft Download site for .NET Framework displays a lot of results and can be very confusing for basic computer users on which one to download. This site will help you to easily download the right .NET Framework with minimal download.
[ Check Installed .NET Version from SmallestDotNet ]
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感恩ˇ你
Hello people,
Can anyone explain to me why do I need to have .NET installed on my PC?
thank you for this topice
Great job with this post!
thank you
vreau acest mess
No big deal. Look at Windows\\Microsoft.Net\\Framework folder a you will see all the versions installed.
Indeed some soft needs to have the latest .NET Framework to function. Sometime it takes time to download from microsoft but this soft is excellent and apparently I have the latest version of .NET Framework !!!!
@merlin_magii: prrrrrrrrt
Thanks Raymond for the info.
Thank you Raymond – I tried and got the same result as you. I mistakenly thought this creature was automatically updated via the normal Windows Update function.
How about someone being kind enough to answer ‘John’s’ Question? (john
December 18th, 2008 at 10:55 pm 16 – Hi ,i am a newbie on computer.what is net framework.)
useppewind – try not to be a complete twerp all your life ? Beats me why you even subscribe to this blog !
Raymond – is there an equivalent for WinInstaller?
you never cease to amaze me.. thanks for the information..
thanks raymond
Great. Thanks Raymond!
Hey, I don’t need this crap to download another crap.
The right size is: 0KB ;-)
remember DON’T download .NEEEEEEEETTT
Thanks!
Though this is just the downloader.
I would be happy if there were a site where you could download JUST the one upgrade you are missing – in a offline version.
And BTW: I really like the message it gives to us Firefox users:
“Looks like you’re running FireFox. That’s totally cool, but if you’ve got a version of .NET earlier than 3.5 SP1, I can’t tell if you’ve got .NET installed from FireFox. Consider visiting this site, just once, using Internet Explorer, which will tell me more about if your system has .NET on it or not.”
Great Info…
you rock ray..!!!
Hi ,i am a newbie on computer.what is net framework.
Hola buen día?
Hay alguna forma de conectarse al messenger en linea por medio de esta liga?
Saludos,
Blanca
Thanks Raymon!
thanks mate. this will help heaps.
really cool!!
Well, the 2.8 meg installer for .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 downloads another 65MB!
really small .NET download size! Thnx Raymond
Great post. Thanks Raymond!
thanks raymond. I’ve been looking for this :)
Thanks from Greece Ray!
guys, when gta iv come out in early dec, it required .net 3.5sp1….i tried installing on vista but it did not work….but the game is fine though….
thanks for the information..
nice find. i hate downloading .net. it kinda slows my computer down a little. maybe this will not install alot of useless sh*t i never gonna use.
thanks
youre really awesome thanks
Hey thx…
Thank you for the information Raymond. :)