This framework, created by Microsoft, is necessary in order to run Windows applications built upon .NET Framework 2.0. The package will install the runtime and all the library files required by .NET apps to launch. The .NET Framework does all the heavy lifting when it comes to interacting with the operating system, allowing developers to focus more on building their applications rather than re-creating low level functions.

Here’s what you need to know about .NET framework:

• It provides a software environment (CLR) that allows any .NET program to run on any system, no matter what the hardware configuration
• Quick access to user interface functions, predefined web development tools, connect with databases, encryption, network, diverse numeric algorithms and data access
• The 2.0 version provides reliable caching solutions that allow applications to run faster, update and deploy programs using the new ClickOnce technology, extended support for web browsers and other devices
• Although different packages are available for each language (English, Japanese, German, Italian, Greek, Italian, Spanish, Korean, French) you can only install one, if you try to install a second one it will trigger an error

Install .NET framework 2.0 if you need to run Windows applications that require it.