What is 'netfx35_hideupdates.reg'?

markfilipak · Post by **markfilipak** » Mon May 30, 2016 9:31 pm

Hello,

First, Thanks Charalampos, and Stefan, and all the helpers at RyanVM.net. I plan to use my XPPro (without Internet access) in a VirtualBox hosted by Linux openSUSE.

I don't know which torrent I used to get WinXP-USP4. I discovered it includes 'netfx35_hideupdates.reg':
=====
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{C09FB3CD-3D0C-3F2D-899A-6A1D67F2073F}]
"SystemComponent"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{A3051CD0-2F64-3813-A88D-B8DCCDE8F8C7}]
"SystemComponent"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{CE2CDD62-0124-36CA-84D3-9F4DCF5C5BD9}.KB953595]
"SystemComponent"=dword:00000001
=====
I have not found why it exists (or when to run it).

Got any clue? ...I don't.

Thanks, And Ciao,

Mark Filipak.

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Fri Jun 03, 2016 4:32 am

This reg file will hide all .NET Framework 2.0 and 3.0 references in the Add/Remove Programs section.
This also means that any future updates for .NET Framework 2.0 and 3.0 will not be uninstallable.

.NET Framework 4.0 is hidden and shows all the installed updates properly when the 'Show updates' option is checked.

Since there will be no more MSI updates for .NET 3.5, you can safely use the reg file in any deployment scenario.

markfilipak · Post by **markfilipak** » Fri Jun 03, 2016 12:34 pm

Hi Charalampos,

harkaz wrote:This reg file will hide all .NET Framework 2.0 and 3.0 references in the Add/Remove Programs section.

Okay. So... disables the uninstallation of .NET 2.0 & 3.0, right?

harkaz wrote: This also means that any future updates for .NET Framework 2.0 and 3.0 will not be uninstallable.

Whew!... I'm trying to comprehend that apparent double-negative. Does that mean that the setting will enable .NET Framework 2.0 and 3.0 update uninstallation? Doesn't that somewhat contradict the motive of the previous idea (to disable uninstallation)?

harkaz wrote:.NET Framework 4.0 is hidden and shows all the installed updates properly when the 'Show updates' option is checked.

? Do you mean running 'netfx35_hideupdates.reg' hides... ummm... shows... ummm... what do you mean?

harkaz wrote:Since there will be no more MSI updates for .NET 3.5, you can safely use the reg file in any deployment scenario.

Isn't MSI the Microsoft installer? I don't understand your reply. Are you saying that .NET 3.5 is dead? ... a zombie (walking dead)? ...

I must confess that I've never understood what .NET is and how 2.0 & 3.0 & 3.5 & 4.0 can all be current at the same time -- usually, a new version of a program supersedes a prior version.

I don't know what any of this has to do with XP, USP4.

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Fri Jun 03, 2016 6:47 pm

Uninstallation of the entire .NET Framework 3.5 is not possible via Add/Remove Programs even without the reg file. The Add/Remove Components Wizard should be used instead.
The reg file will however prevent uninstall of any future .NET 3.5 updates (which may continue to be available if M$ ever change their minds).

.NET Framework 3.5 seems to be unsupported in Windows 5.x (XP/Server 2k3), which is the last version of Windows without .NET 3.5 as a native component and needs MSI packages. As far as XP is concerned, .NET 3.5 is a zombie indeed.

.NET Framework 4.0 is not affected by the reg file, that's my point.

.NET is an application runtime. It is used to simplify application development but may cause some issues with deployment if it's not pre-installed on the target machine.
.NET Framework 3.5 and 4.0 are different version families and are required for various programs to run.

.NET Framework 4.0 is required for most post-2010 apps out there

The zombies:
.NET Framework 3.5 includes the previously released versions 3.0 and 2.0. It will support most of the ancient applications designed for .NET Framework 1.1.

.NET Framework 1.1 is installed to provide backward compatibility with ancient apps that require its presence. It supersedes the first version of .NET Framework ever (1.0).
.NET Framework 1.0 SP3 is still required for Tablet PC components in Windows XP.

Hope everything is clear now for you.

markfilipak · Post by **markfilipak** » Fri Jun 03, 2016 8:16 pm

harkaz wrote:...Hope everything is clear now for you.

Hahahahahahahahaha......... Uh... Sure!

Is it safe to assume that 'netfx35_hideupdates.reg' is from you, and that I should run it, otherwise, you wouldn't have provided it?

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Sat Jun 04, 2016 8:24 am

Yes, you can safely use it.

GH0st · Post by **GH0st** » Sun Jun 05, 2016 3:09 am

I use this, as I prefer to not see it in the add remove. Love it!