Skip to main content

Optimize-DotNetRunTime

Overview​

This script ensures that the system is running the latest supported versions of .NET runtimes and SDKs while removing unsupported versions to maintain a clean and secure environment. It manages the installation, uninstallation, updates, and listing of .NET runtimes and SDKs on a Windows system using official Microsoft release metadata.

Requirements​

  • PowerShell v5+
  • Administrative Privileges
  • Active Internet Connection (to fetch release metadata and installers)

Process​

  1. Initialization

    • Ensure the script is run with administrative privileges.
    • Validate PowerShell version (requires version 5 or higher).
    • Install or update the Strapper module for environment setup and logging.

  2. Parameter Handling

    • Accept Action and Type parameters:
      • Action: list, install, uninstall, update, renew.
      • Type: sdk, runtime, desktopRuntime, aspNetCoreRuntime, all.
    • Default values:
      • Action: list.
      • Type: desktopRuntime (if not specified for install, uninstall, update, or renew).

  3. Fetch Supported Versions

    • Query the official Microsoft release-index.json API.
    • Dynamically determine the correct download URLs for the system architecture (x64, x86, arm64).
    • Identify the "Latest Release" and "Latest SDK" for active support channels.

  4. List Installed Components

    • Use dotnet --list-runtimes and dotnet --list-sdks to identify installed components.
    • Categorize components into standard types (sdk, runtime, desktopRuntime, aspNetCoreRuntime).
    • Compare installed versions against the JSON metadata to determine support status.

  5. Perform Actions Based on Action Parameter

    • list:
      • Display installed .NET components filtered by Type, showing support and update status.
    • install:
      • Download and install the absolute latest supported version of specified components.
      • Skip installation if the latest version is already installed.
    • update:
      • Identify installed supported major versions.
      • Install the latest patch for that major version.
      • Remove superseded/older patch versions of the same major version to save space.
    • uninstall:
      • Remove End-of-Life (EOL) or unsupported versions using the .NET Core Uninstall Tool (automatically downloaded if missing).
    • renew:
      • Aggressive maintenance strategy:
      • Install the latest supported versions.
      • Remove ALL older or unsupported versions.

  6. Error Handling and Logging

    • Log all actions, including successes, failures, and skipped operations using Write-Log.
    • Handle errors gracefully (e.g., download failures, installer exit codes).

  7. Clean Up

    • Ensure temporary files (installers, uninstall tools) in ProgramData are managed appropriately.

Payload Usage​

To List all installed .NET runtimes and SDKs

.\Optimize-DotNetRunTime.ps1 -Action list

To List only installed .NET SDKs

.\Optimize-DotNetRunTime.ps1 -Action list -Type sdk

To Install the latest supported versions of all .NET components

.\Optimize-DotNetRunTime.ps1 -Action install -Type all

To Update SDKs (Install new patch, remove old patches for installed supported versions)

.\Optimize-DotNetRunTime.ps1 -Action update -Type sdk

To Uninstall unsupported versions of ASP.NET Core runtimes

.\Optimize-DotNetRunTime.ps1 -Action uninstall -Type aspNetCoreRuntime

To Remove all unsupported/old versions and install ONLY the latest available version

.\Optimize-DotNetRunTime.ps1 -Action renew -Type all

To Install the latest .NET Desktop Runtime (Default Type)

.\Optimize-DotNetRunTime.ps1 -Action install

Parameters​

ParameterAliasRequiredDefaultTypeDescription
ActionFalseListStringSpecifies the action to perform. Valid values are:

- list: Lists installed components and support status.

- install: Installs the latest supported versions.

- uninstall: Uninstalls unsupported versions.

- update: Updates to latest patch and removes superseded patches for the installed supported versions.

- renew: Removes ALL old/unsupported versions and installs the latest.
TypeFalsedesktopRuntimeStringSpecifies the type of .NET component to manage. Valid values are:

- sdk: Manages .NET SDKs.

- runtime: Manages .NET runtimes.

- desktopRuntime: Manages .NET desktop runtimes.

- aspNetCoreRuntime: Manages ASP.NET Core runtimes.

- all: Manages all .NET components.

Output​

The script generates the following output files (via Strapper logs):

  • .\Optimize-DotNetRunTime-log.txt
  • .\Optimize-DotNetRunTime-Error.txt