Get Started with .NET Framework

Introduction

The .NET Framework is a mature, battle‑tested platform for building Windows desktop, server, and web applications. This guide walks you through the basics: from installing the SDK to creating your first console app.

Prerequisites

  • Windows 10 (or later) or Windows Server 2016+
  • Administrative rights for installation
  • Visual Studio 2022 (Community, Professional, or Enterprise) – optional but recommended

Installation

Download the latest .NET Framework Developer Pack from Microsoft:

https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet-framework

Run the installer and follow the prompts. After installation, verify with:

dotnet --list-sdks

You should see an entry like 4.8.xxx confirming the SDK is available.

Hello World

Open a command prompt and execute the following commands to create and run a simple console app:

mkdir HelloWorld
cd HelloWorld
dotnet new console
dotnet run

The output will be:

Hello, World!

Open the generated Program.cs to explore the source code.

Next Steps