dotnet · dotnet-policy-service · Jul 12, 2025 · Jul 11, 2025
diff --git a/docs/framework/install/application-not-started.md b/docs/framework/install/application-not-started.md
@@ -1,27 +1,35 @@
 ---
 title: Fix .NET Framework 'This application could not be started'
 description: Learn what to do if you see a 'This application could not be started' dialog box when running a .NET Framework application.
-ms.date: 02/13/2023
+ms.date: 07/10/2025
 ---
 # "This application could not be started" error when running a .NET Framework application
 
-When you attempt to run a .NET Framework application, you may receive the "This application could not be started" error message. When this error is caused by an installed version of .NET Framework not being detected, or by .NET Framework being corrupted, use this article to try to solve that problem.
+When you attempt to run a .NET Framework application, you may receive the "This application could not be started" error message. When the cause of this error is that an application can't find .NET Framework, due to .NET Framework being corrupted, use this article to try to solve that problem.
 
 :::image type="content" source="media/application-not-started/app-could-not-be-started.png" alt-text="This application could not be started dialog box.":::
 
-If you still can't run the application after completing all the steps in this article, then the issue may be caused by some other reason, like a corrupted file system, missing dependencies, or a problem with the application. In that case, you can try contacting the app publisher or post a question to [Microsoft Support Community](https://answers.microsoft.com/) or [Microsoft Q&A](/answers/tags/97/dotnet) for more help.
+If you still can't run the application after completing all the steps in this article, then the issue might be caused by a corrupted file system, missing dependencies, or a problem with the application. In that case, you can **try contacting the app publisher** or post a question to [Microsoft Q&A](/answers/tags/828/developer-technologies) for more help.
+
+## Understand the problem
+
+This error means that a specific application can't be started. The name of the program is the first part of the title bar before the message "This application could not be started," as highlighted in the following figure:
+
+:::image type="content" source="media/application-not-started/app-could-not-be-started-details.png" alt-text="This application could not be started dialog box with the executable name highlighted.":::
+
+In the previous figure, the name of the executable that caused this error is `mt.exe`. Try searching the internet for more information about the executable causing your problem.
 
 ## How to fix the error
 
 To address this issue so that you can run your application, do the following:
 
 1. Download the [.NET Framework Repair Tool (NetFxRepairTool.exe)](https://www.microsoft.com/download/details.aspx?id=30135). The tool runs automatically when the download completes.
 
-1. If the .NET Framework Repair Tool recommends any additional action, such as those shown in the following figure, select **Next**.
+1. If the .NET Framework Repair Tool recommends any other action, such as those shown in the following figure, select **Next**.
 
    :::image type="content" source="media/application-not-started/repair-tool-recommended-changes.png" alt-text="Repair tool recommended changes.":::
 
-1. The .NET Framework Repair Tools displays a dialog box shown in the following figure to indicate that changes are complete. Leave the dialog box open while you to try rerun your application. This should succeed if the .NET Framework Repair Tool has identified and corrected a corrupted .NET Framework installation.
+1. The .NET Framework Repair Tools displays a dialog box shown in the following figure to indicate that changes are complete. Leave the dialog box open while you to try rerun your application. This succeeds if the .NET Framework Repair Tool corrected a corrupted .NET Framework installation.
 
    :::image type="content" source="media/application-not-started/repair-tool-changes-complete.png" alt-text="Repair tool changes complete.":::
 
@@ -31,26 +39,10 @@ To address this issue so that you can run your application, do the following:
 
    :::image type="content" source="media/application-not-started/repair-tool-no-resolution.png" alt-text="Unable to resolve the problem with the repair tool.":::
 
-1. If you still cannot run the application, install the latest version of .NET Framework that's supported by your version of Windows, as shown in the following table.
-
-   |Windows version|.NET Framework installation|
-   |---|---|
-   |Windows 10 Anniversary Update and later versions|[.NET Framework 4.8 Runtime](https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet-framework/net48)|
-   |Windows 10, Windows 10 November Update|[.NET Framework 4.6.2](https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet-framework/net462)|
-   |Windows 8.1|[.NET Framework 4.8 Runtime](https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet-framework/net48)|
-   |Windows 8|[.NET Framework 4.6.1](https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet-framework/net461)|
-   |Windows 7 SP1|[.NET Framework 4.8 Runtime](https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet-framework/net48)|
-   |Windows Vista SP2|[.NET Framework 4.6](https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet-framework/net46)|
-
-   > [!NOTE]
-   > .NET Framework 4.8 is preinstalled on Windows 11 and Windows 10 May 2019 Update and later versions.
+1. If you still can't run the application, install the latest version of .NET Framework that's supported by your version of Windows. For more information, see [Install .NET Framework on Windows and Windows Server](on-windows-and-server.md).
 
 1. Attempt to launch the application.
 
-1. In some cases, you may see a dialog box like the following, which asks you to install .NET Framework 3.5. Select **Download and install this feature** to install .NET Framework 3.5, then launch the application again.
-
-   :::image type="content" source="media/application-not-started/install-3-5.png" alt-text="Windows Features dialog box suggesting to install .NET Framework 3.5.":::
-
 ## See also
 
 - [.NET Framework System Requirements](../get-started/system-requirements.md)

diff --git a/docs/framework/install/dotnet-35-windows.md b/docs/framework/install/dotnet-35-windows.md
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
 title: Install .NET Framework 3.5 on Windows
 description: Learn how to install .NET Framework 3.5 on Windows and Windows Server. .NET Framework 3.5 can run apps that target .NET Framework 1.0 through 3.5.
-ms.date: 02/10/2025
+ms.date: 07/10/2025
 ---
 # Install .NET Framework 3.5 on Windows and Windows Server
 

diff --git a/docs/framework/install/guide-for-developers.md b/docs/framework/install/guide-for-developers.md
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
 title: "Install the .NET Framework developer pack or redistributable"
 description: "Developers can download and install the .NET Framework developer pack and targeting pack. You can include the .NET Framework redistributable with your apps."
-ms.date: 02/23/2022
+ms.date: 07/10/2025
 helpviewer_keywords:
   - ".NET Framework redistributable package, downloading"
   - ".NET Framework, installing"
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ Use the following table for quick links, or read further for details. To view th
 
 | .NET Framework version | Installer (Developer Pack and Runtime) | Platform support |
 | ---------------------- | -------------------------------------- | ---------------- |
-|**4.8.1**   | [.NET Framework 4.8.1](https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet-framework/net481)    | **Included in:**<br/><br/>[Visual Studio 2022 (version 17.3)](https://my.visualstudio.com/Downloads?q=visual%20studio%202017)<br/><br/> **You can install on:**<br/><br/>Windows 11<br/>Windows 10 version 21H2<br/>Windows 10 version 21H1<br/>Windows 10 version 20H2<br/>Windows Server 2022<br /><br/> (for a full list, see [system requirements](../get-started/system-requirements.md))|
+|**4.8.1**   | [.NET Framework 4.8.1](https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet-framework/net481)    | **Included in:**<br/><br/>Windows 11 version 22H2<br/>[Visual Studio 2022 (version 17.3)](https://my.visualstudio.com/Downloads?q=visual%20studio%202017)<br/><br/> **You can install on:**<br/><br/>Windows 11<br/>Windows 10 version 21H2<br/>Windows 10 version 21H1<br/>Windows 10 version 20H2<br/>Windows Server 2022<br /><br/> (for a full list, see [system requirements](../get-started/system-requirements.md))|
 |**4.8**   | [.NET Framework 4.8](https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet-framework/net48)    | **Included in:**<br/><br/>Windows 11<br/>Windows 10 May 2019 Update (and later versions)<br/>[Visual Studio 2019 (version 16.3)](https://my.visualstudio.com/Downloads?q=visual%20studio%202019)<br/><br/> **You can install on:**<br/><br/>Windows 10 October 2018 Update<br/>Windows 10 April 2018 Update<br/>Windows 10 Fall Creators Update<br/>Windows 10 Creators Update <br /> Windows 10 Anniversary Update<br /> Windows 8.1 and earlier<br />Windows Server 2022<br /> Windows Server 2019<br/>Windows Server, Version 1809<br/>Windows Server, Version 1803<br /><br/> (for a full list, see [system requirements](../get-started/system-requirements.md))|
 |**4.7.2** | [.NET Framework 4.7.2](https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet-framework/net472) | **Included in:** <br/><br/>Windows 10 October 2018 Update<br/>Windows 10 April 2018 Update<br/>Windows Server 2019<br/>Windows Server, Version 1809<br/>Windows Server, Version 1803<br/>[Visual Studio 2017 (15.8 update)](https://my.visualstudio.com/Downloads?q=visual%20studio%202017)<br/><br/> **You can install on:**<br/> <br/>Windows 10 Fall Creators Update<br/>Windows 10 Creators Update <br /> Windows 10 Anniversary Update<br /> Windows 8.1 and earlier<br /> Windows Server, version 1709 and earlier<br /><br/> (for a full list, see [system requirements](../get-started/system-requirements.md))|
 |**4.7.1** | [.NET Framework 4.7.1](https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet-framework/net471) | **Included in:** <br/><br/>Windows 10 Fall Creators Update<br/>Windows Server, version 1709<br/>[Visual Studio 2017 (15.5 update)](https://my.visualstudio.com/Downloads?q=visual%20studio%202017)<br/><br/> **You can install on:**<br/><br/> Windows 10 Creators Update <br /> Windows 10 Anniversary Update<br /> Windows 8.1 and earlier<br /> Windows Server 2016 and earlier<br /> (for a full list, see [system requirements](../get-started/system-requirements.md))|

diff --git a/...framework/install/how-to-determine-which-net-framework-updates-are-installed.md b/...framework/install/how-to-determine-which-net-framework-updates-are-installed.md
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
 title: See installed .NET Framework security updates and hotfixes
 description: Learn how to determine which .NET Framework security updates and hotfixes are installed on a computer.
-ms.date: 04/03/2024
+ms.date: 07/10/2025
 dev_langs:
   - "csharp"
   - "vb"

diff --git a/docs/framework/install/how-to-determine-which-versions-are-installed.md b/docs/framework/install/how-to-determine-which-versions-are-installed.md
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
 title: Determine which .NET Framework versions are installed
 description: Use code, regedit.exe, or PowerShell to detect which versions of .NET Framework are installed on a machine by querying the Windows registry. Or, check Control Panel.
-ms.date: 02/14/2025
+ms.date: 07/10/2025
 dev_langs:
   - "csharp"
   - "vb"

diff --git a/docs/framework/install/index.md b/docs/framework/install/index.md
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
 title: .NET Framework installation guide
 description: Learn about how to install the .NET Framework on Windows, and which versions of Windows support .NET Framework.
-ms.date: 02/14/2025
+ms.date: 07/10/2025
 ---
 # Installation guide
 
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ If you need to install .NET Framework 1.1 through 3.5, see [Install .NET Framewo
 
 ## Supported Windows versions
 
-- [Windows 11](on-windows-and-server.md#windows-11) (.NET Framework 4.8 included)
+- [Windows 11](on-windows-and-server.md#windows-11) (.NET Framework 4.8 or .NET Framework 4.8.1 included)
 - [Windows 10](on-windows-and-server.md#windows-10) (.NET Framework 4.6.2 through 4.8 included)
 - [Windows Server 2025](on-windows-and-server.md#windows-server) (.NET Framework 4.8 included)
 - [Windows Server 2022](on-windows-and-server.md#windows-server) (.NET Framework 4.8 included)

diff --git a/...work/install/media/application-not-started/app-could-not-be-started-details.png b/...work/install/media/application-not-started/app-could-not-be-started-details.png
diff --git a/docs/framework/install/on-windows-and-server.md b/docs/framework/install/on-windows-and-server.md
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
 title: Install .NET Framework on Windows
 description: Learn how to install .NET Framework on Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows Server. This article also includes information about .NET Framework and unsupported versions of Windows, such as Windows 8, Windows Vista, and Windows XP.
-ms.date: 02/12/2025
+ms.date: 07/10/2025
 ---
 # Install .NET Framework on Windows and Windows Server
 

diff --git a/docs/framework/install/repair.md b/docs/framework/install/repair.md
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
 title: Repair the .NET Framework
 description: Learn how to repair the .NET Framework
-ms.date: 08/03/2017
+ms.date: 07/10/2025
 ---
 
 # Repair .NET Framework

diff --git a/docs/framework/install/troubleshoot-blocked-installations-and-uninstallations.md b/docs/framework/install/troubleshoot-blocked-installations-and-uninstallations.md
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
 title: "Troubleshoot blocked .NET Framework installations and uninstallations"
 description: "Troubleshoot issues you encounter that prevent installation of the .NET Framework. Consult status messages for information to resolve issues."
-ms.date: "06/19/2025"
+ms.date: 07/10/2025
 helpviewer_keywords:
   - ".NET Framework, troubleshooting blocked installations"
   - "blocked .NET Framework installations, troubleshooting"

diff --git a/docs/framework/install/versions-and-dependencies.md b/docs/framework/install/versions-and-dependencies.md
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
 title: .NET Framework & Windows OS versions
 description: Learn about key features in each version of .NET Framework, including underlying CLR versions and versions installed by the Windows operating system.
-ms.date: 04/24/2024
+ms.date: 07/10/2025
 helpviewer_keywords:
   - "versions, .NET Framework"
 ---