Typically, a version number is displayed as "major number.minor number.build number.private part number". A file version number is a 64-bit number that holds the version number for a file as follows:

• The first 16 bits are the FileMajorPart number.

• The next 16 bits are the FileMinorPart number.

• The third set of 16 bits are the FileBuildPart number.

• The last 16 bits are the FilePrivatePart number.

Use the GetVersionInfo method of this class to get a FileVersionInfo containing information about a file, then look at the properties for information about the file. The FileVersion property provides version information about the file. The ProductMajorPart, ProductMinorPart, ProductBuildPart, ProductPrivatePart, and ProductVersion properties provide version information for the product that the specified file is a part of. Call ToString to get a partial list of properties and their values for this file.

The FileVersionInfo properties are based on version resource information built into the file. Version resources are often built into binary files such as .exe or .dll files; text files do not have version resource information.

Version resources are typically specified in a Win32 resource file, or in assembly attributes. For example the IsDebug property reflects the VS_FF_DEBUG flag value in the file's VS_FIXEDFILEINFO block, which is built from the VERSIONINFO resource in a Win32 resource file. For more information about specifying version resources in a Win32 resource file, see "About Resource Files" and "VERSIONINFO Resource" in the Platform SDK. For more information about specifying version resources in a .NET module, see the Setting Assembly Attributes topic.

Note
This class makes a link demand at the class level that applies to all members. A SecurityException is thrown when the immediate caller does not have full trust permission. For details about link demands, see Link Demands.

The following example calls GetVersionInfo to get the FileVersionInfo for the Notepad. Then it prints the file description and version number in a text box. This code assumes textBox1 has been instantiated.

Sub GetFileVersion()
    ' Get the file version for the notepad.
    Dim myFileVersionInfo As FileVersionInfo = FileVersionInfo.GetVersionInfo("%systemroot%\Notepad.exe")
    
    ' Print the file name and version number.
    textBox1.Text = "File: " & myFileVersionInfo.FileDescription & ControlChars.Cr & _
        "Version number: " & myFileVersionInfo.FileVersion
End Sub 'GetFileVersion

public void GetFileVersion() {
    // Get the file version for the notepad.
    FileVersionInfo myFileVersionInfo = FileVersionInfo.GetVersionInfo("%systemroot%\\Notepad.exe");
 
    // Print the file name and version number.
    textBox1.Text = "File: " + myFileVersionInfo.FileDescription + '\n' +
       "Version number: " + myFileVersionInfo.FileVersion;
 }
    

public:
   [PermissionSet(SecurityAction::Demand, Name="FullTrust")]
   void GetFileVersion()
   {
      // Get the file version for the notepad.
      FileVersionInfo^ myFileVersionInfo = FileVersionInfo::GetVersionInfo( "%systemroot%\\Notepad.exe" );
      
      // Print the file name and version number.
      textBox1->Text = String::Concat( "File: " + myFileVersionInfo->FileDescription + "\n" +
         "Version number: " + myFileVersionInfo->FileVersion );
   }

• SecurityPermission  for calling members of FileVersionInfo. Demand value: LinkDemand; Named Permission Sets: FullTrust.

Windows 98, Windows 2000 SP4, Windows Millennium Edition, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP Media Center Edition, Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, Windows XP SP2, Windows XP Starter Edition

The .NET Framework does not support all versions of every platform. For a list of the supported versions, see System Requirements.

.NET Framework