.net Framewok 4.6.2 on Windows 10 32bit does not install in correct registry folder

.NET Framework 4.6 and later are in‑place updates of .NET Framework 4.x. They do not create a separate v4.6 registry node. Instead, they update the existing v4\Full registry key and its values.

On a 32‑bit Windows 10 machine, the supported way to detect .NET 4.6+ is:

1. Open Registry Editor.
2. Go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\NDP\v4\Full
3. Check the Release value there (and not the v4.0\Client key).

The runtime migration guidance states that for .NET Framework 4, 4.5, 4.5.1, 4.5.2, 4.6, 4.6.1, 4.6.2, 4.7, and 4.7.1, the CLR version string remains v4.0.30319, and .NET 4.6 registers itself under the same v4\Full key, but with a version that begins with 4.6 instead of 4.5.

Therefore:

• The absence of a v4.6 folder is expected and does not mean 4.6.2 is missing.
• Team Explorer 2022 (or its installer) must check the v4\Full key to detect 4.6+ correctly.

If Team Explorer still reports that .NET 4.6 is not installed, the issue is with how that installer probes the registry. In that case, ensure that the v4\Full key exists and that its version reflects 4.6.x; if it does, .NET 4.6+ is correctly installed even though only v4.0 appears in the tree.

References:

• Runtime changes for migration to .NET Framework 4.6.x
• Troubleshoot blocked .NET Framework installations and uninstallations
• Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6 (Offline Installer) for Windows
• Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6 (Web Installer) for Windows
• The .NET Framework 4.6.2 web installer for Windows