.NET Framework 3.5 on Windows 8 or 8.1

NET Framework 3.5 on Windows 8 or 8.1

If you install an app that requires a specific version of the .NET Framework, the app's setup program might install the .NET Framework on your computer or prompt you to install it. For example, the .NET Framework 3.5 is not automatically installed with Windows 8 or Windows 8.1. To run apps that require the .NET Framework 3.5 on Windows 8 or later, you must enable version 3.5 on your computer. There are two ways you can do this: by installing or running an app that requires the .NET Framework 3.5 (that is, by installing the .NET Framework 3.5 on demand), or by enabling the .NET Framework 3.5 in Control Panel. Both options require an Internet connection.

In general, you should not uninstall any versions of the .NET Framework from your computer, because an app you use may depend on a specific version and may break if that version is removed. Multiple versions of the .NET Framework can be loaded on a single computer at the same time. This means that you do not have to uninstall previous versions in order to install a later version.

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• Use the .NET Framework 3.5 for apps built for versions 2.0 and 3.0 as well as 3.5.
• Installing a Windows language pack before installing the .NET Framework 3.5 will cause the .NET Framework 3.5 installation to fail. Install the .NET Framework 3.5 before installing any Windows language packs.
• Windows CardSpace is not available with the .NET Framework 3.5 on Windows 8.

Installing the .NET Framework 3.5 on Demand

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If an app requires the .NET Framework 3.5, but doesn't find that version enabled on your computer, it displays the following message box, either during installation, or when you run the app for the first time. In the message box, choose Install this feature to enable the .NET Framework 3.5. This option requires an Internet connection.

Prompt for installing the .NET Framework 3.5 on demand

• 1. In Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012, open a Command Prompt window with administrative credentials (that is, choose Run as administrator).
  2. To install the .NET Framework 3.5 from installation media located in the D:\sources\sxs directory, use the following command:
     DISM /Online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:NetFx3 /All /LimitAccess /Source:d:\sources\sxs
     where:
     • /Online targets the operating system you're running (instead of an offline Windows image).
     • /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:NetFx3 specifies that you want to enable the .NET Framework 3.5.
     • /All enables all parent features of the .NET Framework 3.5.
     • /LimitAccess prevents DISM from contacting Windows Update.
     • /Source specifies the location of the files needed to restore the feature (in this example, the D:\sources\sxs directory).
     For more information about DISM parameters and options, see How to Enable or Disable Windows Features
• You are using a local source, but the network location is inaccessible or doesn’t have the right content. Install the .NET Framework 3.5 from installation media as described in the previous bullet point.
• Your administrator has configured your computer to use Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) instead of Windows Update for servicing. Ask your administrator to enable the policy to use Windows Update instead of WSUS.