Here’s a helpful, straightforward guide to understanding – with a note about the “2021” reference.
.exe file.If the software was written or packaged in 2021, it is almost certainly asking for or .NET 5.0 . microsoftnet desktop runtime 80 x64 2021
The .NET Desktop Runtime 8.0 x64 2021 is suitable for a wide range of applications, including: Microsoft
The runtime supports applications built using (Ahead-of-Time) compilation. While this is mostly a developer feature, it benefits the end-user by allowing apps to start instantly without a "warm-up" period. Close any apps that might use
The architecture tag is not an afterthought. In 2021, the industry was fully transitioning away from 32-bit (x86) systems.