Why can't I change the target framework to 4.5 in Windows 8, using Visual Studio 2012?

Question

When I try to change it to 4.5, I only see 4.5.1.

When I try to install 4.5, from here, I get the following message:

So, it's already apart of the OS, but I can't select it in VS2012.

Any ideas?

Answer 1

.NET 4.5.1 IS .NET 4.5

Microsoft fixed a few things and added a few new features and pushed the update out. You CANNOT downgrade from 4.5.1 to 4.5.

Here is the article from MSDN: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171868(v=vs.110).aspx#v451

Answer 2

.NET 4.5.1 is 4.5:

The .NET Framework 4.5.1 is an in-place update to the .NET Framework 4.5.

Also, 4.5 replaces 4:

The .NET Framework 4.5 and .NET Framework 4.5.1 replace the .NET Framework 4. When you install these versions on a system that has the .NET Framework 4 installed, the assemblies are replaced.

Source: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/5a4x27ek(v=vs.110).aspx