Net Desktop Runtime 6 Jun 2026

It is specifically required for applications built using Windows Forms (WinForms) and WPF .

The app is small (a few MB). It assumes you have the correct runtime already installed. This saves disk space and allows Microsoft to update the runtime centrally (security patches apply to all apps at once). net desktop runtime 6

You might wonder, "Why do I have to install this separately? Why can't the app just include it?" It is specifically required for applications built using

Fast forward to 2020, when Microsoft released .NET 5, a unified platform that merged .NET Core and the .NET Framework. .NET 5 provided a single set of APIs and tools for building Windows desktop applications, web applications, and mobile apps. Building on the success of .NET 5, Microsoft released .NET 6 in November 2021. This saves disk space and allows Microsoft to

| Error Message | Likely Cause | Solution | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | "You must install .NET Desktop Runtime to run this application" | Missing Desktop Runtime. | Download and install the correct version (e.g., 6.0). | | "Version 6.0.xx is not found" | You have an older version of the runtime. | Update to the latest 6.0.x patch release. | | "Application failed to start (0xc0000135)" | No .NET runtime at all. | Install both the generic .NET Runtime AND the Desktop Runtime (the installer often includes both). |

| Component | Purpose | Includes UI libraries? | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | (generic) | Runs console apps, background services, web APIs. | ❌ No | | .NET Desktop Runtime | Runs WinForms & WPF Windows apps. | ✅ Yes (WinForms/WPF) | | .NET SDK | For developers to build apps (includes runtimes + compilers). | ✅ Yes (for development) |

Even though mainstream support has ended, many enterprises and developers still use .NET 6 for stable, production-grade applications. For users, this means you will encounter .NET 6 Desktop Runtime requirements for several years as companies transition to .NET 8 or newer.