Making a windows application for XP and Win7. Which Framework should I target?

Question

I am trying to develop a windows application for a 3rd world country where most of the clients are Windows XP and a few a Windows 7 users. I would like to create an application where no further configuration is needed once installed.I am not sure where to start- I.e what .net framework to target and which OS to work in? Which one is more compatible?

Answer 1

I would recommend .Net 4.0 that is the latest version supported by Windows XP.

NOTE: All of the .Net framework run times are backward compatible. You also have to make sure that the application you develop is not targeted with a newer version of .Net than the computer with the oldest version of .Net

Here is some useful info:

Windows Vista comes with 2.0 preinstalled.

Windows XP is being fazed out and does not come with .net out of the box, so I would target new computers. I understand if you company is NOT going to upgrade.

Windows 7 comes with 3.5.1 preinstalled. It is compatible up to 4.5.1 (as the time of this writing)

Windows XP comes with none preinstalled but is compatible up to 4.0.

Answer 2

The simplest way to make a Windows application is use c#...
If you want to export the application to other OS c/c++ are more compatible.