Member Avatar for dopeymom

Do to some puter problems, I have had my computer hard drive completely redone. Upon reinstalling my windows 98 and then all the updates, I have been confronted with this update for .net framework. Being computer illiterate I have no idea whether or not I need this download and because it is a long download I do not want to do it if I dont need it. I guess my question is does this download apply if I use hotmail, msn messenger, and occasionally sign in to .net on the msn home page???? All the info I have found so far on the dang msn help screen makes this download sound like a proffessional business thing!!! UGH I hope someone can help!!!

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Short clarification and practical guidance that complements the replies from and :

The Microsoft .NET Framework is a runtime used by desktop programs built with the .NET languages. It is not the same as the sign‑in/identity service used by Hotmail (the Passport/Windows Live ID family). Simply using Hotmail’s web mail interface or the classic MSN Messenger client does not require installing the .NET Framework runtime.

How to decide whether to install the update on a Windows 98 machine:

  • In Windows Update, click the update’s title or “More information” and read the description — it will say what the framework is for and which operating systems it supports.
  • Check Control Panel → Add/Remove Programs for any installed applications that explicitly list “Requires .NET” or show a .NET runtime entry. Most installers will prompt to add the framework if they need it.
  • If the machine is only used for web mail and the Messenger client, the framework update can be skipped; it’s an optional runtime for other applications.

Practical cautions for old systems:

  • The download and install can be large and may require several hundred megabytes of free disk space and a reboot. On a dial‑up or low‑spec PC it can be slow and prone to failure.
  • Make a simple backup of important files (email contacts, Favorites, documents) before installing any big update. If an application later requires .NET, the application installer will usually offer the framework or explain the requirement.

If the update is already installed and problems appear, the framework typically appears in Add/Remove Programs and can be removed there; otherwise restore from backup or use the application’s uninstall instructions. Note: over time Microsoft’s mail and messaging services, and their system requirements, have changed, so very old OSes like Windows 98 may not be supported by modern webmail or messaging clients.

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Member Avatar for Kinseeker69

No. You do not need .NET Framework for hotmail or messenger, although you do need a .NET Passport to setup a hotmail account

Member Avatar for Dani

Loosely defined, .NET represents Microsoft's latest suite of computer programming languages (i.e. Microsoft Visual Studio.NET). You need the .NET framework if you wish to run software developed in Visual Studio.NET (i.e. VB.NET, C++.NET, C#.NET)

Member Avatar for dopeymom

Thank you so much for your help, I really didnt want to do the download and then find out that a .net passport and .net framework werent the same thing!!!! This is a great forum, and is now saved to my favs!!! Wish I had found you before my puter crashed to begin with, might have changed the outcome!!!

Member Avatar for Dani

Glad to be of help :)

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