< < Return to.NET Compatibility, Availability and Viability With Portable Apps
Here is a screenshot of Windows Update from a fully-patched Windows XP machine with a typical array of software installed (Microsoft Office, Firefox, Thunderbird, Picasa, DVD player, CD burner, photo editor, antivirus, antispyware, file-sharing, etc). Note that while the .NET Framework versions 1.1, 2.0 and 3.0 are all available, they're within the "Optional Updates" section which are not automatically downloaded and installed by Windows. Once installed, service packs and security updates for a given version of .NET will appear as high priority/critical updates and be automatically installed.