It depends -- if you just want to see if the F# library loads, then I guess looking in the GAC for it is probably the most straightforward.

I would guess that the more proper way would be to find the MSI code for that redist, and require check/depend on that.

In VS2010, the built-in setup project system allows you to specify the F# redist as a prerequisite and download as needed.

Assemblies are loaded by CLR on demand so referencing F# Core dll in your project and writting something like this:

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public static bool IsFSharpInstalled()

{

  try

  {

    object arr = Microsoft.FSharp.Collections.FSharpList<int>.Empty;

    return true;

  }catch(TypeLoadException)

  {

    return false;

  }

}

might work.