Update 4.0.2 for the Microsoft .NET Framework 4

Update 4.0.2 for the Microsoft .NET Framework 4 is a platform update that includes a set of new features and bug fixes, based on top customer requests and .NET Framework scenarios.

Platform updates are feature upgrades to the .NET Framework 4. These updates add types and members that developers can target when building new applications. The goal of platform updates is to incrementally expose newer features so that you can build richer applications now, before the next major .NET Framework release.

Update 4.0.2 does not impact your existing .NET Framework 4 applications; you access the new features only when you create a new application that targets the .NET Framework 4.0.2. However, if you have existing .NET Framework 4 applications, you will still be able to take advantage of the bug fixes included with Update 4.0.2.

Quick links

• Download the Design-time Update; for more information, see KB2544525
• Download the Run-time Update; for more information, see KB2544514
• Download the Multi-Targeting Pack; for more information, see KB2544526

Which package should you install?

Update 4.0.2 for Microsoft .NET Framework 4 consists of three packages:

• Update 4.0.2 for Microsoft .NET Framework 4 – Design-time Update for Visual Studio 2010 SP1 (KB2544525)
  
  This package supports the complete design-time experience for the .NET Framework 4.0.2 in Visual Studio 2010 Service Pack 1 (SP1). It configures Visual Studio with new targeting profiles and installs the run-time files, reference assemblies, IntelliSense files, and other dependent Visual Studio files in one step, so you can start writing your code. (This package includes the Run-time Update and the Multi-Targeting Pack.)
  
  If you want to develop applications that utilize the new features in Update 4.0.2, download Visual Studio 2010 SP1, and then install the Design-time Update.
  
  Note: You must install Visual Studio 2010 SP1 first, before you can use this package.
  
  
• Update 4.0.2 for Microsoft .NET Framework 4 – Run-time Update (KB2544514)
  
  This package contains the run-time files for the platform update. It is included in the Design-time Update, but you can install it separately if you don't need the design-time features and just want to deploy your .NET Framework 4.0.2 applications.
  
  If you want to configure a computer for deploying applications that target the .NET Framework 4.0.2, install the Run-time Update after you install the .NET Framework 4 or .NET Framework 4 Client Profile. You should redistribute the Run-time Update (along with the .NET Framework 4) with your applications that target the .NET Framework 4.0.2.
  
  
• Multi-Targeting Pack for Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0.2 (KB2544526)
  
  This package contains the reference assemblies and IntelliSense files for the Visual Studio development environment. The Multi-Targeting Pack is included in the Design-time Update, and is also available as an independent package for versions after Visual Studio 2010.
  
  If you want to configure the .NET Framework 4.0.2 on a computer that contains Visual Studio 11 Developer Preview or later, install the independent package for the Multi-Targeting Pack.

New features in Update 4.0.2

Update 4.02 supports AlwaysOn and LocalDB with SqlClient. Additionally, because this update builds on the previous update, it also includes the features from Update 4.0.1 (also known as Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Platform Update 1). Here's the full list of features included in Update 4.0.2:

Note that we didn't make any changes to the features that were shipped in Update 4.0.1.

To get the full details about all the features and bug fixes included in Update 4.0.2, see the following Knowledge Base articles:

• 2544514 - Update 4.0.2 for Microsoft .NET Framework 4 – Run-time Update
• 2478063 - Update 4.0.1 for Microsoft .NET Framework 4 – Run-time Update

The MSDN Library includes the following documentation for these features:

• Getting Started Tutorial: How to Create a State Machine Workflow
• Windows Workflow Foundation (WF4) - Introduction to State Machine Hands On Lab
• State Machine Activity Designers
• State Machine Workflows
• AlwaysOn documentation
• SQL Server Express LocalDB documentation

.NET Framework Compatibility

Compatibility with version 4.5: All features and bug fixes included in this update will also be available in the .NET Framework 4.5. This means that the applications you build for the .NET Framework 4.0.2 will continue to work on the .NET Framework 4.5. You can read more about version compatibility in the entry Compatibility of .NET Framework 4.5 in the .NET Blog.

Compatibility with Update 4.0.1: An application that is built for the .NET Framework 4.0.1 will run on a computer that has the .NET Framework 4 and the 4.0.2 Run-time Update installed. We recommend that you upgrade your .NET Framework 4.0.1 applications to the 4.0.2 run-time, but this is not required.

How to create new applications with Update 4.0.2

When you install the Design-time Update for Visual Studio 2010 SP1 (KB2544525) you will be able to create new applications that target the .NET Framework 4.0.2 from Visual Studio. Follow these steps:

1. Start Visual Studio 2010 SP1.
2. Create a new project (File, New, Project).
3. In the New Project dialog box, set the target framework for the project to .NET Framework 4.0.2.
   Note: The target framework list is also available through project properties.
4. Start writing code and use the designer to build your .NET Framework 4.0.2 application.
   
   

The Design-time Update adds two new profiles to Visual Studio:

• NET Framework 4.0.2
• NET Framework 4.0.2 Client Profile

To choose either profile or change the profile after a project has been created, right-click the project in Solution Explorer, choose Properties, and choose the desired profile from the Target framework list.

When you select one of these profiles, the new features and State Machine activities will become available in the Toolbox.