.Net: How do I find the .NET version?

Question

How do I find out which version of .NET is installed?

I\'m looking for something as simple as \"java -version\" that I can type at the command prompt and that tells

Answer 1

MSDN details it here very nicely on how to check it from registry:

To find .NET Framework versions by viewing the registry (.NET Framework 1-4)

1. On the Start menu, choose Run.
2. In the Open box, enter regedit.exe.You must have administrative credentials to run regedit.exe.

3. In the Registry Editor, open the following subkey:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\NDP

The installed versions are listed under the NDP subkey. The version number is stored in the Version entry. For the .NET Framework 4 the Version entry is under the Client or Full subkey (under NDP), or under both subkeys.

To find .NET Framework versions by viewing the registry (.NET Framework 4.5 and later)

1. On the Start menu, choose Run.
2. In the Open box, enter regedit.exe. You must have administrative credentials to run regedit.exe.

3. In the Registry Editor, open the following subkey:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\NDP\v4\Full

Note that the path to the Full subkey includes the subkey Net Framework rather than .NET Framework

Check for a DWORD value named Release. The existence of the Release DWORD indicates that the .NET Framework 4.5 or newer has been installed on that computer.

Note: The last row in the above snapshot which got clipped reads On all other OS versions: 461310. I tried my level best to avoid the information getting clipped while taking the screenshot but the table was way too big.