I've read, but don't know for sure, the Windows 98 is the lowest the framework will run on - that is, no 95. I also think you can create an unmanaged C++ application in Visual Studio that does not require the framework.

If you don't want the framework, or other "run-time" files, then you're eliminating VB.NET, VB, C#, Java and maybe some others I'm not familiar with. If you write in C or C++ (unmanaged) - maybe Delphi?, then you don't need any "run-time" files.

This distinction is a little of the mark, IMHO, because even a C++ program will need files that are already on the machine. It's just that they're already there. In time, the framework will already be there also.

I have not had one client that has a problem with downloading and installing the framework. It's simply part of the minimum specs.