Microsoft .NET Framework 4 (Standalone Installer) for Server Core

The Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Server Core download installs the full .NET Framework 4 on Windows 2008 R2 SP1 Server Core . This download requires Windows 2008 R2 SP1 to be installed. When you re running .NET Framework 4 applications on Server Core, only Server Core-based features will work, while client applications features such as Windows Presentation Foundation(WPF) and ClickOnce deployment are not supported on Server Core.

To learn more about .NET Framework 4, refer to What’s New in the .NET Framework 4 and to install on other operating systems visit .NET Framework 4 download site. Features for ASP.NET in this version include support for Multi-Targeting, expanding range of allowable URLs, web config file refactoring, WebForm enhancements and more. For a comprehensive list of enhancements to ASP.NET go here. Improvements to Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) such as support for Workflow Services enabling workflow programs with messaging activities, correlation support. Additionally, .NET Framework 4 provides new WCF features such as service discovery, routing service, REST support, diagnostics, and performance. For a comprehensive list of enhancements to WCF go here.

Many customers have asked if PowerShell will work with .NET Framework 4 support on Server Core. PowerShell 2.0 continues to work on Windows 2008 R2 SP1 Server Core when .NET Framework 4 is installed (utilizing the installed .NET Framework 3.5.SP1). PowerShell 2.0 does not use .NET Framework 4, so there is no support for writing .NET Framework 4 cmdlets and runing them on Windows 2008 R2 server core.

We recommend that you test the .NET Framework applications that you build for Server Core. Some .NET Framework features do not work on Server Core, especially if the feature depends on an operating system file that is not installed on Server Core. The .Net Framework 4 Server Core package is only supported on Windows 2008 R2 SP1 Server Core . If you attempt to use it on non-Server Core machines, it will fail to install properly.

Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1

• Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Server Core or later
• Supported Architectures:
• x64
• Hardware Requirements:
• Recommended Minimum: Recommended Minimum: Single processor with 1.4 GHz (x64 processor) or 1.3GHz (Dual Core) with 512 MB RAM or more
• Minimum disk space: 2 GB (32 GB or greater required for OS)
• Prerequisites:
• Windows Installer 3.1 or later