Where is the .NET Framework Global Assembly Cache?

.net-4.0 gac
CARLOS LOTH picture CARLOS LOTH · May 13, 2010 · Viewed 74.5k times · Source

I installed the VS2010 and .NET 4.0, then I compiled an assembly and ran the gacutil using the exe available on 

%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft SDKs\Windows\v7.0A\Bin\NETFX 4.0 Tools

The output of the executable said the assembly was sucessfully installed on Global Assembly Cache. However, when I go to %WINDIR%\assembly folder I cannot find the assembly I installed using the .NET Framework 4.0 gacutil.

I've seen some posts saying the .NET Framework 4.0 has a separated GAC, but what I haven't found was where it is located.

May someone to help me to check where can I see the Global Assembly Cache of .NET Framework, as it used to work on previous version (%WINDIR%\assembly)?

Answer

David Neale picture David Neale · May 13, 2010

Yes, there are two distinct GACs as from .NET 4.0

See here: .NET 4.0 has a new GAC, why?

As stated below, the new physical location is %windir%\Microsoft.NET\assembly\ (you can interogate it using the dir command at a command prompt if you're interested).

It's worth noting that applications running up to the 2.0 CLR will not even be able to see assemblies in the new GAC.

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