How do I install global assembly cache?
Abigail Rogers
Updated on February 28, 2026
How to install or register an assembly in GAC
- Click Start > All Programs > Administrative Tools > Microsoft . NET Framework 2.0/4.0 Configuration.
- Click Manage the Assembly Cache.
- Select Add an Assembly to the Assembly Cache.
- Browse and select your DLL, which you want to install it in GAC.
- Click Open.
- Restart the IIS.
Where is global assembly cache folder?
Starting with the . NET Framework 4, the default location for the Global Assembly Cache is %windir%\Microsoft.NET\assembly. In earlier versions of the . NET Framework, the default location is %windir%\assembly.
How do I access global assembly cache?
NET Framework SDK installed, you can access the GAC through windows explorer by opening C:\Windows\Assembly . The image below shows you how the GAC is displayed in Explorer using the extension. Using this view, you can add assemblies to the GAC by simply dragging and dropping them into the ASSEMBLY folder.
How do I add assembly reference to GAC?
10 Answers
- Open the windows Run dialog (Windows Key + r)
- Type C:\Windows\assembly\gac_msil.
- Find your assembly and copy its path from the address bar.
- Open the Add Reference dialog in Visual Studio and choose the Browse tab.
- Paste in the path to your GAC assembly.
How do I find my GAC?
Open assemblies from Global Assembly Cache
- In the main menu, choose File | Open from GAC.
- Click Open from GAC on the toolbar of the Assembly Explorer window.
- Press Ctrl+Shift+O .
Can GAC be same name?
YES, you can have assemblies with same name in GAC but their versions needs to be different.
What is assembly folder windows?
The Windows Assembly Temp folder is part of the GAC (Global Assembly Cache) tool that is used to install and uninstall assemblies by using Windows Uninstaller. This feature helps you uninstall and install assemblies in the testing process of installation packages and for servers.
How Does GAC Work?
GAC is a folder in Windows directory to store the . NET assemblies that are specifically designated to be shared by all applications executed on a system. Assemblies can be shared among multiple applications on the machine by registering them in global Assembly cache(GAC). The GAC is automatically installed with the .
How to clean the Global Assembly Cache?
To clean the Global Assembly Cache, you must log on to your computer as an administrator or use an account that has permission to write to the GAC. Microsoft suggests not placing assemblies into the Global Assembly Cache if you plan to copy your application to another location using xcopy.
Where is the Global Assembly Cache located?
The global assembly cache is located in ‘Windows/WinNT’ directory and inherits the directory’s access control list that administrators have used to protect the folder.
What’s the purpose of the Global Assembly Cache (GAC)?
The Global Assembly Cache (GAC) is a folder in Windows directory to store the .NET assemblies that are specifically designated to be shared by all applications executed on a system. The concept of GAC is the result of the .NET architecture whose design addresses the issue of “DLL hell” that existed in COM (Component Object Model).
How do you delete a Cache folder?
Select Tools -> Internet Options. Open the ‘General’ tab. In the ‘Browsing history’ area click ‘Delete’ button. In the ‘Delete browsing history’ window click ‘Delete files’. This will delete all the files that are currently stored in your cache. Click ‘Yes’, and then click ‘Close’.