# .NET Decompiler for C# and VB.NET Without the .NET Runtime

> Inspect .NET IL and reconstruct supported C# and VB.NET assemblies as C# code without installing the target .NET runtime. Includes supported WinForms analysis.

Canonical HTML: <https://www.vb-decompiler.org/dotnet-decompiler.htm>

C# and VB.NET assemblies

## .NET Decompiler for C# and VB.NET (no need for .NET runtime installed)

Analyze managed EXE and DLL files, inspect .NET IL, reconstruct C# code in licensed editions, and view supported WinForms interfaces even on a system where the target .NET Framework is not installed.

[Inspect .NET IL free](https://www.vb-decompiler.org/download.htm)[Compare editions](https://www.vb-decompiler.org/order.htm#detailed-features)

### What VB Decompiler reads from a .NET assembly

#### IL and metadata

Inspect managed methods, types, references, and Intermediate Language without executing the target program.

#### C# reconstruction

Licensed editions translate supported C# and VB.NET assemblies into readable C# code for analysis and recovery.

#### WinForms viewer

Reconstruct supported Windows Forms visually and follow form events to their code.

#### Offline analysis

The decompiler does not require the target .NET runtime to be installed and can be used fully offline.

![Full-size C sharp code reconstruction from a dot NET assembly in VB Decompiler](https://www.vb-decompiler.org/image/vb_decompiler_261/vb_decompiler_261_while_loops.png)A full-size managed-code example: reconstructed C# remains available together with assembly structure and IL verification.

### Lite versus licensed decompilation

| .NET capability | Lite | Licensed editions |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Open supported managed assemblies | Yes | Yes |
| Display .NET IL disassembly | Yes | Yes |
| Decompile C# or VB.NET code into C# | No | Yes, depending on edition |
| Visual WinForms reconstruction | See edition chart | Supported |

**Recovery boundary:** VB Decompiler can recover up to 95% of code from a typical supported, non-obfuscated C# or VB.NET assembly, reconstructing it as C#. This is not a guarantee of a project that compiles immediately. Compiler transformations, missing project files and dependencies, unsupported constructs, dynamic code, mixed-mode components, and obfuscation can leave code that must be corrected manually. Visual reconstruction applies to supported Windows Forms; WPF visual reconstruction is not supported at v26.4, but under development.

### AI-assisted cleanup when needed

The built-in [AI Helper](https://www.vb-decompiler.org/help/ai_code_enhancement.htm) can use a local offline model or the OpenAI API with prepared prompts to explain, restructure, and improve selected recovered C# code. AI suggestions remain part of the recovery workflow and must be checked against IL, metadata, dependencies, and actual application behavior.

### A safe offline workflow

1. Open a copy of the assembly; the target application does not need to run.

2. Inspect assembly references, types, methods, resources, and IL in Lite.

3. Use a licensed edition when you need reconstructed C# source.

4. For supported WinForms applications, use the visual viewer and event links to connect UI behavior to code.

5. Validate critical logic against IL and test any rebuilt code independently.

### Related options

#### Free inspection

[Review all Lite limitations](https://www.vb-decompiler.org/vb6-decompiler-lite.htm)

#### VB5/6 instead?

[Choose P-Code or Native workflow](https://www.vb-decompiler.org/choose-vb6-decompiler.htm)

#### Exact features

[Open the edition chart](https://www.vb-decompiler.org/order.htm#detailed-features)

### Inspect managed assemblies without installing their runtime

Start with the free Lite edition for .NET IL inspection. A licensed edition adds high-level C# reconstruction and the analysis features needed to investigate and correct the remaining code.

[Download Lite free](https://www.vb-decompiler.org/download.htm)[Detailed Features](https://www.vb-decompiler.org/order.htm#detailed-features)