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Microsoft Silverlight is a legacy development platform that was used to create interactive web and desktop applications. Although Microsoft has discontinued Silverlight, some older enterprise applications still require it to function.
Built on Microsoft’s .NET Framework, Silverlight was a browser plug-in that enabled rich internet applications with multimedia playback, animations, and interactive user experiences. It was widely adopted before modern web technologies such as HTML5 became the standard.
Silverlight supported advanced data integration, multithreading, HD video streaming through IIS Smooth Streaming, and built-in content protection, making it suitable for business, education, and media streaming applications.
The platform provided a consistent development experience across supported environments, allowing developers to build applications with familiar .NET tools while delivering rich media and interactive content.
Although Microsoft no longer supports Silverlight, it remains useful for running legacy business software, internal enterprise applications, and websites that still depend on the Silverlight runtime.
Microsoft Silverlight – Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✓ Enables legacy web applications to run rich multimedia, interactive content, and business applications. | ✗ Officially discontinued by Microsoft and no longer receives feature updates or security support. |
| ✓ Supports audio, video streaming, animation, and .NET-based web applications within compatible browsers. | ✗ Supported only by older applications and browsers, as modern browsers no longer support Silverlight. |
| ✓ Integrates with the Microsoft .NET Framework for enterprise and line-of-business applications. | ✗ Many websites and services have migrated to HTML5 and other modern web technologies. |
| ✓ Lightweight runtime with a straightforward installation process on supported Windows systems. | ✗ Compatible only with legacy systems and applications that specifically require the Silverlight runtime. |
| ✓ Still useful for organizations that rely on older internal applications built for the Silverlight platform. | ✗ Not recommended for new web application development due to its deprecated status. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Microsoft Silverlight still work?
It can still run certain legacy applications that specifically require the Silverlight runtime, but it is no longer supported by Microsoft. Modern browsers generally do not support the Silverlight plug-in, so compatibility depends on the legacy application and its environment.
How can I run a website that requires Microsoft Silverlight?
You need a compatible legacy environment capable of loading the Silverlight plug-in. Modern browsers have removed support for the plug-in, so installing the runtime alone may not make an old Silverlight website work in a current browser.
Does Microsoft Silverlight work on Windows 11?
The listed supported Windows versions only extend through Windows 10, so Windows 11 is not officially supported by the information in this article. Legacy applications may therefore require an older supported Windows environment to function correctly.
What is the difference between Microsoft Silverlight and HTML5?
Silverlight is a discontinued plug-in-based platform that depended on a compatible browser runtime for rich web applications and multimedia. HTML5 uses built-in modern web standards and does not require a separate browser plug-in, which is why many applications that once depended on Silverlight migrated to HTML5.
What’s New in Microsoft Silverlight 5.1.50918.0:
Release Date 2019-01-15
- Fixes date and time calculations to accommodate new eras in the Japanese calendar.
Official Homepage – https://www.microsoft.com/silverlight
Supported browsers include all major options, such as Opera, Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, and Internet Explorer.
Supported Operating Systems:
- Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10
- Windows Server 2008, 2012, 2016
- macOS 10.6 -10.15
Size: 6.70 MB
DOWNLOAD End-User Runtime for Mac
DOWNLOAD Silverlight 5 for Business
⚠️ NOTE Microsoft ended support for Silverlight on October 12, 2021. It is provided for users who need it to run legacy business applications and websites. Silverlight is no longer recommended for new software development or modern web browsing.
