madmatt

The Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 (formerly known as WinFX), is the new managed code programming model for Windows. It combines the power of the .NET Framework 2.0 with new technologies for building applications that have visually compelling user experiences, seamless communication across technology boundaries, and the ability to support a wide range of business processes. These new technologies are Windows Presentation Foundation, Windows Communication Foundation, Windows Workflow Foundation, and Windows CardSpace (formerly code named "Infocard"). Microsoft plans to ship .NET Framework 3.0 as part of the Windows Vista operating system. In addition, Microsoft is making these technologies available on Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. The following Community Technology Preview of .NET Framework 3.0 enables you to continue experimenting with early builds of these technologies, get acquainted with the development experience, and provide feedback to Microsoft. For more information on these technologies, click here.

Please note that the License Agreement in this pre-release version of the .NET Framework v3.0 does not allow usage in a live operating environment. Information about Go-Live possibilities can be found here.

Note: This is a pre-RTM release. Therefore, do not install these builds on machines you depend on. If you have a previous version of Avalon ("Windows Presentation Foundation"), Indigo ("Windows Communication Foundation"), or pre-released versions of .NET Framework 2.0 installed you must read this before download. Specifically, if you have previously installed .NET Framework 3.0 (WinFX Runtime Components 3.0) Beta 2, please follow the instruction in section 2.1 of the readme before installing .NET Framework 3.0 June CTP.

Compatability with Windows Vista Beta2
This CTP (Community Tech Preview) is intended for users of Windows Vista build 5456, Windows XP, or Windows 2003 Server. It is not supported for users running the Windows Vista Beta 2 for .NET Framework 3.0 development. If you are using Windows Vista Beta 2 for .NET Framework 3.0 development, we recommend that you do not install this version of the CTP and instead use the Beta 2 release. The .NET Framework 3.0 June CTP runtime is a later version than the one that ships with Windows Vista Beta 2, and code that uses the .NET Framework 3.0 Beta2 will not work with this CTP.

Name change: WinFX Runtime Components to .NET Framework v3.0
This is the first release with the new name, .NET Framework 3.0. You can find out more about the namechange (from WinFX Runtime Components 3.0 -> .NET Framework 3.0) on Soma and JasonZ's blogs.

Installation
To start the installation process, you will need to run the download file; this will initiate the installation of the .NET Framework 3.0 June CTP; If you have troubles with the download manager, you can download the entire package for x86 or for x64 which are both .EXE files.

This CTP release supports Visual Studio 2005 RTM and the .NET Framework 2.0 RTM. The Microsoft® WinFX® SDK contains documentation, samples, and tools designed to help you develop managed applications and libraries using WinFX. You can install the SDK that corresponds to this release here.

Source: Microsoft (Microsoft Newsletter)

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