Would Like to FULLY Remove .NET Framework

[Tiziano]

Some time ago, I uninstalled .NET 1.1 and 2.0 from my PC and yet Windows
Update keeps on insisting that I need to install Service Pack 1 for .NET
Framework 1.1 and a security update (KB928365) for .NET 2.0.

I went into the registry and manually removed every instance of "dotnet"
that I could find; I followed the instructions of Microsoft's article
#824643 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/824643); I ran Windows
Installer Clean Up program (which does not show .NET as being still
installed on my PC!); I find no trace of .NET Framework in the Program
Files subdirectories.

Yet, Windows Update must be getting fooled by something that I have
missed... I know that I can tell Windows Update to ignore the two
updates --but I am determined to rid my PC of every trace of .NET!!

Has anyone a suggestion on what I might have missed?

I am running Windows XP SP2.

Thanks.

 

[Scott M.]

Microsoft is trying to make .NET a standard part of the OS (it is in Vista),
so you'll keep getting notified about installing it.

BTW, what's the problem with having it installed?

 

[Tiziano]

Windows Update lists .NET Framework as an optional install for Windows
XP. I am not a developer or anything like that but I figured it could
not hurt to install it. It took several attempts but finally I was able
to install 1.1 and 2.0. Then Microsoft released updates/patches to .NET
that just would not install so, out of frustration, I uninstalled .NET
and cleaned up what was still left behind per my previous e-mail.
But the darn thing is still alive in my PC...

 

[Mark Fitzpatrick]

The .Net framework is installed under the windows/microsoft.net directory.
The one under program files is usually for ancillary items.

Keep in mind, the .Net framework is not just for developers. There are a
number of programs now that require it. Some of the administrative consoles
used by the graphics card makers wrote their apps in .Net so you may break
something that depends upon it.

 

[Scott M.]

You are better off putting it back in as it is not just for developers. Any
programs written in a .NET language (VB .NET, C#, J#, C++ .NET) will require
various versions of the Framework.

 

[Miro]

Even something like the quickbooks 2008 uses the .netframework and will
install it on you if you do not have it.

Be careful what other programs you use that 'might' use the .net framework
without you knowing about it.

 

[Cor Ligthert[MVP]]

Tiziano,

In Europe you can buy Microsoft OS systems with optional Windows Media
Player.

Although it is for the same price, is AFAIK nobody buying that version,
probably not even those who have ordered that.

But Microsoft state Media Player is optional, so nobody can complain.

Cor

 

[Tiziano]

Some time ago, I uninstalled .NET 1.1 and 2.0 from my PC and yet Windows
Update keeps on insisting that I need to install Service Pack 1 for .NET
Framework 1.1 and a security update (KB928365) for .NET 2.0.

I went into the registry and manually removed every instance of "dotnet"
that I could find; I followed the instructions of Microsoft's article
#824643 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/824643); I ran Windows
Installer Clean Up program (which does not show .NET as being still
installed on my PC!); I find no trace of .NET Framework in the Program
Files subdirectories.

Yet, Windows Update must be getting fooled by something that I have
missed... I know that I can tell Windows Update to ignore the two
updates --but I am determined to rid my PC of every trace of .NET!!

Has anyone a suggestion on what I might have missed?

I am running Windows XP SP2.

Thanks.

If anyone is having troubles removing .NET Framework from their
computer, use Aaron Stebner's utility found at:

http://blogs.msdn.com/astebner/archive/2005/04/08/406671.aspx

It worked for me. Read his caveats first...