Compiling executable to work in all .net frameworks

I have created an exe file by compling on vb. However finding that not all systems like it and .net framework & isnt as compatible as you first think. I have create an application which doesnt use "imports" to reference anything. I compiled it in .net framework 2.0. It didnt work on XP machine which had .net Framework 4.0 got runtime error.

Is there anyway making the compliled .exe available for all frameworks or am I going to have to create an .exe for each .net framework to encompass all versions?? Does it have to use .net framework at all depending on the application?

Yes it has to use the framework, and not all of them are intercompatible. Removing Imports statements does nothing.

Having said that, every XP machine should have the 2.0 framework on it because it was pushed out as an automatic update years ago. The 3.0 and 3.5 frameworks were built on top of the 2.0, but the 4.0 was a different base. It appears that you have found a computer that has a fairly unusual configuration. The typical solution is to include the framework as part of the installation. If all you are doing is copying the .exe, though, that isn't really an option, since copying the .exe isn't really an installation. If that is the case, you would have to install the 2.0 framework directly.

Ah ok so through installation you can include a .net framework for them to install if they dont have it, or not compataible with previous or more advanced versions. I found on visual basic 2010 express you cant add your own pictures or taylor make installation? WOuld I have to purchase Visual Studio for this?

That I don't know. I do remember hearing that 2010 express does have some limitations, and I seem to remember that this is one of them, but I'm not sure. If you want to avoid making up an installation package (which is cheaper than buying VS, if Express doesn't include it), you can always do the download of the framework from MS directly.