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im working on a documentation project and i need to parse the .net framework documentation. I want to use NDoc for that. I have successfully installed the .net framework and the msdn library. The problem is that i am not able to find the dll's and there corresponding xml files. I'm even not sure if they exists or if the documentation browser uses compiled helpfiles.

To make it short: What is the location of the .net framework dll's and there corresponding .xml documentation files (if those exists).

Thanks

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4 Answers 4

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On my system they can be found at (.dll and .xml)

C:\Program Files (x86)\Reference Assemblies\Microsoft\Framework\.NETFramework\v4.0\

and (.dll only)

C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319
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On my machine, they live here: 

c:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\<FrameworkVersion>\en\

They might also be alongside the DLLs in 

c:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\<FrameworkVersion>

UPDATE:
It appears as if one part of the files lies in the folders I specified above and another part - specifically WPF - lies in the folder specified by Dennis. See this question in the Microsoft forum for some official confirmation.

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4 Comments

I don't see the XML files there on mine, wonder if it changes install to install?
@sixlettervariables: Possibly
This link proves my point.
Good find, appears the Framework64 directories lack them (hence my 404 problem).
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Framework DLLs, at least for the most part, are in the Global Assembly Cache. This is primarily a percompile for performance step. You will find copies under %WINDIR%/Microsoft .NET/{framework version}.

The default location for local help is C:\Program Data\Microsoft\HelpLibrary\

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Program Data? I've got local help installed to its default location, and it's not there.
One thing you can try is Start >> All Programs >> Visual Studio 2010 >> Visual Studio Tools >> Manage Help Settings - ENU. If it asks for a location, you are probably not set up correctly. Once in the tool click Choose online or local help. At the bottom, you will have the "library location" in a disabled textbox.
The default location depends on your version of Windows evidently.
That would not surprise me. Did you find the location using the steps above?
My Win7 machine has it under another drive/folder, as it appears my %PROGRAMDATA% is redirected on my work machine. My XP machine has it under Documents and Settings.
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XML is not stored on disk and dll's could be found under system GAC. Why do you need to document entire .net framework library?

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5 Comments

Guide me where it is stored? And what is the purpose of keeping xml file on user machine? To create MSDN?
I don't see xml on my machine for 2+ versions. For 2 i can see 49 xml files out of which I dont see assemblies I use very commonly.
I still don't agree. Probably u might have because of msdn installed with local help. I can't find on my system. I don't see reason why it has to be on user machine.
Please check the update to my answer. That you don't find it useful to have these XML files is pretty strange. I find them useful, because otherwise IntelliSense wouldn't be able to display the documentation for the .NET frameworks methods, classes, etc.
Are you sure intellisense shows details from xml file? How about my own classes with comments? Comments on my class wont appear if I don't save my xml file in that folder. What about third party libraries?

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