Is this the location of the GAC?

Is this the location of the GAC?

C:\Wind开发者_如何学Cows\Microsoft.NET\assembly\GAC_MSIL

If so, then what is C:\Windows\assembly?

The answer depends on the version of the .NET Framework being used. Multiple versions can be installed side by side (which is probably the case for you), and programs written for an older version use that version if it's installed.

Before 4.0
All versions before 4.0 use %WINDIR%\assembly (in your case, C:\Windows\assembly) for the GAC. This directory uses a special Explorer view (the Assembly Cache Viewer) to view and manage the GAC.

Since 4.0
Versions since 4.0 use %WINDIR%\Microsoft.NET\assembly (in your case, C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\assembly) for the GAC. Since 4.0, the Assembly Cache Viewer is obsolete. Explorer displays the GAC directory just like a regular directory.