# Microsoft .NET framework...what is it, and how do I get rid of it?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-net-framework-what-is-it-and-how-do-i-get-rid-of-it/176804
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [May 22, 2003, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-net-framework-what-is-it-and-how-do-i-get-rid-of-it/176804 "2003-05-22T13:28:17Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)
#### Post date: [May 22, 2003, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-net-framework-what-is-it-and-how-do-i-get-rid-of-it/176804/1 "2003-05-22T13:28:17Z")
Somewhere along the way, I apparently installed something called [Microsoft.NET](http://Microsoft.NET) framework on my Windows 98SE machine. I don’t remember how or why it happened, but now I get daily messages from Windows Automatic Update to download Service Pack 2 for .NET framework. I _did_ download the update and ran it, but I’m _still_ getting the same message to download the damned update again and again. From what little I know about .NET, it’s some kind of feature or program designed for use in servers controlling a network of some kind. My computer isn’t a server in any kind of network. How do I get rid of this .NET thing without accidentally deleting some important Windows file?
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### Author:  [@dylan\_73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dylan_73)
#### Post date: [May 22, 2003, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-net-framework-what-is-it-and-how-do-i-get-rid-of-it/176804/2 "2003-05-22T13:39:22Z")
It’s Microsoft’s new thing for building Windows applications. You can read about it [here](http://www.microsoft.com/net/basics/framework.asp) if you’re interested.
It probably installed when you installed some application that required it. I don’t know why it keeps bugging you for an update you’ve already installed. You can remove it from Add/Remove programs, I think (you can on Win2K), but if it was required by some application, that application will no longer work.
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### Author:  [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)
#### Post date: [May 22, 2003, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-net-framework-what-is-it-and-how-do-i-get-rid-of-it/176804/3 "2003-05-22T14:04:40Z")
I think it was one of the larger optional downloads available with Windows Update.
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### Author:  [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)
#### Post date: [May 22, 2003, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-net-framework-what-is-it-and-how-do-i-get-rid-of-it/176804/4 "2003-05-22T14:29:46Z")
Funny, I just installed the .NET framework on my home PC. Then again, I do have a network setup at home too but I didn’t need it until I downloaded a program written for [vB.NET](http://vB.NET).
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### Author:  [@Scupper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scupper)
#### Post date: [May 22, 2003, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-net-framework-what-is-it-and-how-do-i-get-rid-of-it/176804/5 "2003-05-22T15:20:59Z")
The .NET framework is sort of like the Java virtual machine - a sort of “pre-OS OS” that is designed so that all .NET-based applications can run identically on different platforms that all have the .NET framework installed (it doesn’t work that way, but what does?)
I also had a problem with the Windows updater accusing me of failing to update my .NET framework. Eventually, I just downloaded the framework installer, uninstalled the framework via the Add/Remove programs control panel, and reinstalled it (I have to have it, considering I program in [ASP.NET](http://ASP.NET).)
Hope that helps.