[.net] How to find the .NET framework version of a Visual Studio project?

I have a project in Visual Studio. How can I find out which .NET Framework version it's for?

This question is related to .net version

The answer is


You can also search the Visual Studio project files for the XML tag RequiredTargetFramework. This tag seems to exist on .NET 3.5 and higher.

For example: <RequiredTargetFramework>3.5</RequiredTargetFramework>


It's as easy as in your Visual studio.

  1. go to the 4th menu option on top, 'website'.
  2. under websites go to option, 'start options'.
  3. under start options, go to 'build' option.
  4. change the target framework there to what so ever framework.

  1. In Solution Explorer, open the context menu for the project that you want to change, and then choose Properties.
  2. In the left column of the Properties window, choose the Application tab.
  3. In the Target Framework list, you will see the current version of .NET framework on the project. You may also change the framework from there.

It depends which version of Visual Studio:

  • In 2002, all projects use .Net 1.0
  • In 2003, all projects use .Net 1.1
  • In 2005, all projects use .Net 2.0
  • In 2008, projects use .Net 2.0, 3.0, or 3.5; you can change the version in Project Properties
  • In 2010, projects use .Net 2.0, 3.0, 3.5, or 4.0; you can change the version in Project Properties
  • In 2012, projects use .Net 2.0, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 or 4.5; you can change the version in Project Properties

Newer versions of Visual Studio support many versions of the .Net framework; check your project type and properties.


Simple Right Click and go to Properties Option of any project on your Existing application and see the Application option on Left menu and then click on Application option see target Framework to see current Framework version .


You can't change the targeted version of either Windows or the .NET Framework if you create your project in Visual Studio 2013. That option is not available anymore.

Look that link from Microsoft: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb398202.aspx


With Respect to .NET Framework 4.6 and Visual Studio 2017 you can take the below steps:

  1. On the option bar at the top of visual studio, select the 4th option "Project" and under that click on the last option which says [ProjectName]Properties.Click on it & you shall see a new tab has been opened.Under that select the Application option on the left and you will see the .NET Framework version by the name "Target Framework".
  2. Under Solution Explorer's tab select your project and press Alt + Enter.
  3. OR simply Right-click on your project and click on the last option which says Properties.

  • VB

Project Properties -> Compiler Tab -> Advanced Compile Options button

  • C#

Project Properties -> Application Tab


The simplest way to find the framework version of the current .NET project is:

  1. Right-click on the project and go to "Properties."
  2. In the first tab, "Application," you can see the target framework this project is using.

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