gac - Where is the .NET Framework Global Assembly Cache?

Question

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

%ProgramFiles%Microsoft SDKsWindowsv7.0ABinNETFX 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 1

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.NETassembly (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.