GACUTIL, or Global Assembly Cache Utility, is a command-line tool included with the Microsoft .NET Framework. It allows developers to view, install, uninstall, and manage assemblies in the global assembly cache (GAC), among other tasks. The GAC is a central repository on a computer that stores shared assemblies, making them available to all applications running on that computer.

What is GACUTIL Used For?

GACUTIL is a diverse tool that serves numerous purposes, including:

1. Installing Assemblies: GACUTIL can install assemblies into the GAC, allowing them to be shared across applications. This is especially useful for assemblies that are referenced by multiple applications.

2. Uninstalling Assemblies: GACUTIL can uninstall assemblies from the GAC, removing them from the shared assembly repository. This is helpful when an assembly is no longer needed or has become outdated.

3. Displaying Assembly Information: GACUTIL can display information about assemblies installed in the GAC, such as the assembly name, version, culture, and public key token. This information can be useful for troubleshooting assembly-related issues.

4. Managing Assembly Binding Policies: GACUTIL can be used to manage assembly binding policies, which determine how an application resolves assembly references at runtime. This can be useful for resolving assembly binding errors.

How to Use GACUTIL

GACUTIL is a command-line tool, which means it is used by typing commands in a command prompt window. To use GACUTIL, you must first open a command prompt window. In Windows, you can do this by searching for "command prompt" in the Start menu.

Once you have opened a command prompt window, you can use the following syntax to run GACUTIL commands:

gacutil [command] [options] [assemblyname]

For example, to install an assembly named "MyAssembly.dll" into the GAC, you would use the following command:

gacutil -i MyAssembly.dll

For more information on using GACUTIL, you can refer to the Microsoft documentation: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/framework/tools/gacutil-exe-global-assembly-cache-tool.

Where to Find GACUTIL

GACUTIL is included with the Microsoft .NET Framework. If you have the .NET Framework installed on your computer, you can find GACUTIL in the following directory:

C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\[version]\gacutil.exe

Replace “[version]” with the version of the .NET Framework you have installed. For example, if you have the .NET Framework 4.7.2 installed, the path to GACUTIL would be:

C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\4.7.2\gacutil.exe

You can also find GACUTIL in the Visual Studio Command Prompt window. To open the Visual Studio Command Prompt window, go to the Start menu and search for "Visual Studio Command Prompt". Note that GACUTIL is available from the Visual Studio Command Prompt window only if you have Visual Studio installed.

Conclusion

GACUTIL is a versatile tool that allows developers to manage assemblies in the global assembly cache. It can be used to install, uninstall, and display information about assemblies, as well as manage assembly binding policies. GACUTIL is included with the Microsoft .NET Framework and can be found in the .NET Framework directory or in the Visual Studio Command Prompt window.

FAQs

1. What is the global assembly cache?

The global assembly cache (GAC) is a central repository on a computer that stores shared assemblies. Shared assemblies are assemblies that are referenced by multiple applications.

2. What is the purpose of the GACUTIL tool?

The GACUTIL tool allows developers to manage assemblies in the GAC. It can be used to install, uninstall, and display information about assemblies, as well as manage assembly binding policies.

3. How do I use GACUTIL?

To use GACUTIL, open a command prompt window and type the following syntax:

gacutil [command] [options] [assemblyname]

Replace "[command]" with the GACUTIL command you want to use, "[options]" with any options you want to use, and "[assemblyname]" with the name of the assembly you want to manage.

4. Where can I find GACUTIL?

GACUTIL is included with the Microsoft .NET Framework. You can find it in the .NET Framework directory or in the Visual Studio Command Prompt window.

5. What are some common uses for GACUTIL?

GACUTIL is commonly used to install, uninstall, and display information about assemblies in the GAC. It is also used to manage assembly binding policies.