How to: Install the .NET Compact Framework 

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If you have installed Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 on your computer, you can begin to develop and deploy applications using the .NET Compact Framework. Smart Device applications in Visual Studio 2005 use the .NET Compact Framework.

If you installed the .NET Framework SDK without Visual Studio 2005, you must run a setup wizard to install the .NET Compact Framework assemblies and development files on your desktop computer and then install the .NET Compact Framework on a device to run your applications.

If the .NET Compact Framework has not yet been installed on your device, you can obtain the software by going to .NET Compact Framework 2.0 Redistributable.

To install the .NET Compact Framework

  1. Connect your device to your computer with Microsoft ActiveSync.

  2. Run netcfsetupv2.msi from the following directory:

    \Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\SDK\v2.0\CompactFramework

    -or-

    \Program Files\Microsoft.NET\SDK\v2.0\CompactFramework

    The Microsoft .NET Compact Framework 2.0 - Setup Wizard appears.

  3. Complete the wizard steps.

    The wizard checks to ensure that a compatible version of Microsoft ActiveSync has been installed. If the version is not compatible, a warning is displayed that indicates deployment to the device will not be available.

The wizard first installs the files for developing applications under the CompactFramework directory and then installs the .NET Compact Framework on your device.

NoteNote

If you are installing the .NET Compact Framework version 2.0 SP1, see Device Memory Management for information about installing the Global Assembly Cache to a storage card.

See Also

Tasks

How to: Compile at the Command Prompt

Other Resources

Building Applications and Core Tasks
.NET Compact Framework Assemblies and Files