Windows – Unable to install .NET 3.5 on Windows 8.1

.net framework.net-3.5installationwindows 8

I am trying to install .NET 3.5 to work on few legacy applications and this has been burning my head for past few weeks.

  1. During installation a pop up window requests me to install .NET 3.5 and when i hit download it fails stating issues with internet connection. But internet works just fine

  2. Tried enabling .NET 3.5 from Control panel it redirects to " Download from Windows update " and the download goes on forever ( best try 6 hours on 18mbps wifi keeps loading..)

  3. Using Dism with and without /LimitAccess the process gets stuck at 65.8% and then throws a component error

  4. Downloaded offline package 253 MB from microsoft when i tried to install it again asks me download 3.5 to launch dotfx35.exe which is the setup file 🙁

  5. Tried everything from http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2734782 no luck

Please help.. 🙁

Best Answer

Remove the Updates KB2966826 and KB2966828, reboot and try to activate .Net 3.5 again. Both are .Net 3.5 updates and they block the setup. Microsoft is aware of the issue and tries to fix it.

If you have any addition MUI packs installed you need the DVD of the additional language, copy the SxS folder of both DVDs to a local folder C:\sxs and point with the /source parameter of DISM to this folder: 

DISM.exe /Online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:NetFx3 /All /Source:C:\sxs /Limitaccess

I wrote this last year to Microsoft but they still haven't updated the documentation.

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