.NET Desktop Runtime

ApplicationMicrosoft Corporation

Also called dotnet desktop, net desktop runtime, .net 8 desktop, .net 6 desktop

Microsoft CorporationSystem

One page for modern .NET desktop runtimes that run WPF and Windows Forms apps. Apps ask for a specific major version. It is not .NET Framework 4.x and not every SKU.

What you need to know

One Desktop Runtime page. Apps still need their named major version.

This is the modern .NET desktop pack for WPF and WinForms. It is not Framework 4.x, not the ASP.NET hosting bundle, and not a catalog of every out-of-support SKU.

What is it?: Modern .NET pack for WPF and WinForms
Same as Framework 4.x?: No. Different product
Every SKU?: No. One page. Install the named major

Feex says

If the dialog says Desktop Runtime 8, I download that major from Microsoft. I do not install Framework 4.8 as a substitute, and I do not grab every SKU on the page.

What is .NET Desktop Runtime?

The .NET Desktop Runtime includes the base .NET runtime plus WPF and Windows Forms. Microsoft also ships a smaller .NET Runtime and an ASP.NET Core Runtime. One article covers the desktop family. You still install the major version the app asks for.

If you have never used it

If an app says "install .NET Desktop Runtime 8" (or 6, or 9), this is that shared runtime for WPF and WinForms. Download the major version the app named from dotnet.microsoft.com. This page is not .NET Framework 4.8, not the ASP.NET hosting bundle, and not a separate article for every SKU.

What is it used for?

Run framework-dependent desktop apps

WPF and WinForms apps that did not self-contain the runtime. They name a major version.

Side-by-side majors

6, 8, and 9 can sit together. Installing 8 does not satisfy an app that requires 6.

Not Framework 4.x

Apps that ask for .NET Framework 4.8 want the older Windows-only product, not this page.

Who is it for?

People whose app installer stops on a missing Desktop Runtime
Admins who keep 6 LTS and 8 LTS side by side
Anyone who almost installed Framework 4.8 for a .NET 8 app

Current status

.NET Desktop Runtime (2016) is a current modern .net desktop runtime from Microsoft Corporation. The vendor still points Windows users at https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet.

How old is it?

.NET Core 1.0 shipped in 2016. Desktop packs arrived as the Windows UI stack moved off Framework-only. Framework 4.x still lives on Windows. It is a different product with a different installer.

Versions

Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here.

8 LTS (typical current)

9 / current STS

6 LTS (still seen)

System requirements

Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need.

Minimum

Minimum system requirements
Operating system	A Windows release Microsoft lists for that .NET major on learn.microsoft.com/dotnet/core/install/windows
RAM	The runtime is light. The desktop app sets the real RAM need

Resource profile

CPU demand: Follows what you open inside the app
RAM demand: Follows documents, tabs, or libraries

Installed processes

These executables belong to this product when it is installed.

Installed processes
corehost.exe	Host used by many framework-dependent desktop apps. The window you see is usually the app exe.

Startup components

The runtime does not need a Startup Apps entry. An app that uses it starts corehost or its own apphost when you open that app.

File locations

Common .NET Desktop Runtime locations
Typical install	C:\Program Files\dotnet\shared\Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App\

Common problems

Installed Framework 4.8 for a .NET 8 app

Wrong product. Framework 4.x and modern .NET Desktop are different installers.

Wrong major version

An app built for 6 will not run on 8 alone unless the vendor said it would. Install the version the error names.

Getting unstuck

Read the major version in the error, then open dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet

Pick Desktop Runtime for that major. Skip ASP.NET and SDK unless you are developing.

Run dotnet --list-runtimes

That lists installed Microsoft.NETCore.App and Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App packs. Framework 4.x will not appear there.

Do not collect every old SKU

Unsupported 5.0 or 7.0 packs are not a cleanup strategy. Install what the current app names.

Alternatives

The .NET SDK includes this runtime plus compilers. Self-contained apps ship their own runtime. Framework 4.8 is the older Windows product.

Official help and downloads

Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel.

Official contacts
Download	dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet Official installer or vendor page
Help	learn.microsoft.com/dotnet/core/install/windows Vendor support
Official site	dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet Start here, not a random exe host
.NET Framework install	learn.microsoft.com/dotnet/framework/install/ 4.8.x is a different product

Related hardware

The runtime is small. The desktop app you launch sets CPU and RAM. Any current Windows 10 or 11 PC that the vendor lists will run the pack.

Technical details

Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build.

Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. How we research.

.NET Desktop Runtime official site · Vendor product page
.NET Desktop Runtime help · Vendor support
.NET Framework is a different product · 4.x Framework install is not this runtime
Foxhole process map · First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

Was this article useful?

A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note.