If you are using Windows 8, then you may be familiar with the new installation process that is designed to make it easier for you to install previous versions of the .Net Framework. This process is known as “Windows 8.1 Update” and it is available through the Windows Update service. To install the .Net Framework in Windows 8, you first need to create a new account and then click on the “Update Now” button on the main screen. After you have installed the .Net Framework, you can use its features by following these steps:

  1. Open a command prompt and type “netstat -an”. This will show you all of the network connections in your system.
  2. Type “netstat -p” and then press return to see all of the active TCP/IP connections in your system.
  3. Type “netstat -t” and then press return to see all of the active UDP/IP connections in your system.
  4. Type “netstat -u” and then press return to see all of the active sockets in your system.

Programs written for previous versions of Windows will not function in Windows 8 unless you have an older version of the .Net Framework installed. You can easily run both the new and older versions of the framework at the same time.

Installing the .Net Framework

Older versions of the .Net Framework have become optional extras in Windows 8, this means that if you want to run older programs you will need to enable them, to get started press the Windows + R keyboard combination then type appwiz.cpl in the run box before hitting enter.

When the Programs and Features section of Control Panel opens, click on the Turn Windows features on or off hyperlink in the left hand side pane.

Now you will need to check the box to install the .Net Framework 3.5.

The files will be downloaded from Windows Update and you will be prompted to reboot upon completion.

That’s all there is to it.