Download Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8

Microsoft has released a new version of its .NET Framework with 4.8 as the version number. It can work on Windows 7 SP1, 8.1, 10 version 1607, 1703, 1709, 1803, 1809, and 1903, and on Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, 2012, 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, and version 1803. The JIT runtime is based on the improvements in .NET Core 2.1, the NGEN images no longer contain executing code so that the attack surface is reduced, and on Windows 10 all loaded assemblies are now scanned for malware where previously only the assemblies that came from disk were checked. Furthermore, the ZLib has been updated to 1.2.11, WinForms has received three new options, and WCF has added a ServiceHealthBehavior option. The accompanying short announcement looks like this:

Announcing the .NET Framework 4.8We are thrilled to announce the release of the .NET Framework 4.8 today. It’s included in the Windows 10 May 2019 Update. .NET Framework 4.8 is also available on Windows 7+ and Windows Server 2008 R2+. You can install .NET 4.8 from our .NET Download site. For building applications targeting .NET Framework 4.8, you can download the NET 4.8 Developer Pack. If you just want the .NET 4.8 runtime, you can try:

• .NET 4.8 Web Installer – requires an internet connection during installation
• .NET 4.8 Offline installer – can be downloaded and installed later in a disconnected state

The .NET Framework 4.8 includes an updated toolset as well as improvements in several areas:

• [Runtime] JIT and NGEN Improvements
• [BCL] Updated ZLib
• [BCL] Reducing FIPS Impact on Cryptography
• [WinForms] Accessibility Enhancements
• [WCF] Service Behavior Enhancements
• [WPF] High DPI Enhancements, UI Automation Improvements

You can see the complete list of improvements in the .NET Framework 4.8 release notes. Reference sources have also been updated for .NET 4.8.

Supported Windows Versions

• Windows Client versions:
  • Windows 10 version 1903
  • Windows 10 version 1809
  • Windows 10 version 1803
  • Windows 10 version 1709
  • Windows 10 version 1703
  • Windows 10 version 1607
  • Windows 8.1
  • Windows 7 SP1
• Windows Server versions:
  • Windows Server 2019
  • Windows Server version 1803
  • Windows Server 2016
  • Windows Server 2012
  • Windows Server 2012 R2
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1