send program to numerous computers

There are ways to have the setup project check and download the framework if necessary. See: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/324733 or http://blogs.msdn.com/b/vsto/archive/2008/11/18/how-to-include-net-framework-3-5-sp1-with-your-installer.aspx

The .NET framework can be downloaded here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=333325fd-ae52-4e35-b531-508d977d32a6&displaylang=en for version 3.5 or here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=0856eacb-4362-4b0d-8edd-aab15c5e04f5&displaylang=en for version 2.0. Also ensure that you update to any service packs. After that's been installed, there is a couple of ways you can distribute your program, Firstly you can include your .exe and any additional .dll files in a zip file and extract them on the target machine. Then simply create a shortcut to the exe and run it. Your second option would be to use ClickOnce if you have a server to host it on, this way you simply give the user a link to your program, which will then install it automatically, to read more about ClickOnce: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/t71a733d(VS.80).aspx . Your third option will be to create a Setup Project (New Project - Other Project Types) and include your program and .dll files in it. This will then build an installer file you can run on the target machine.

probably a dumb question but i've never done this, how do i install the .NET framework on the computer, can i have it so that i just send one single file with all necessary elements and install then run, the program, just like when i buy software?