Can't enable or install .NET Framework 3.5 in Windows 8.1 PRO 64-bit

Anonymous
2014-02-08T14:22:54+00:00

I continually receive the message in a dialogue that

"Windows couldn't complete the requested changes.

The system cannot find the file specified.

Error code: 0x80070002"

I have not been able to find my way around it.  Running on a 4770K system with fresh install, only user, and with Admin privileges, and usually running Command and many other programs as Administrator.

Can't turn 3.5 on through Control Panel "Turn Windows features on or off", although .NET Framework 4.5 Advanced Services IS enabled.

No success either, using installers provided with programs that require that version of .NET.  As they do require it, I am hoping to get this resolved.

No success with DISM method of scanhealth & restorehealth, although these run OK.

No success with DISM method to install from distribuion CD, mounted ISO, or folder Sources\sxs folder copied to hard drive (including using /LimitAccess switch).

I haven't been able to figure out from looking at the DISM and CBS logs what might be missing.

No success changing server or path in Administrative Templates, etc. regarding Windows Update, for installing components.

No success from .NET full download or stub from Microsoft website.

Microsoft's Windows Update fix-it tool doesn't come up with a solution, either, or point to the culprit with any useful detail.

I've tried to be reasonably methodical in working this out, but I still don't seem to be getting anywhere.

ANY SUGGESTIONS, PLEASE?

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Anonymous
2017-04-28T11:28:29+00:00

Hi everyone,

I solved the problem .Just copy  the single  file from sxs folder of windows 10 dvd or iso to your local drive.

Extract this file using winrar.

Now run DISM command wih administrator privilege  with extracted folder as a source path

Ex.

dism / online /Enable-Feature /featurename:NetFx3 /All /Source:D:Sources\sxs

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-08-06T07:33:34+00:00

    Hi, 

    I have struggled with the same issue. Browsing Microsoft help and trying different approaches.

    However, this simple procedure worked for me:

    Uncheck .Net Framework 4.5

    Reboot

    Turn on .Net Framework 3.5

    Turn on .Net Framework 4.5

    Unfortunately this did not solve the issue for Locanda, but I want to share that it did work for me…

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-02-26T18:30:57+00:00

    You probably expected this, but it activated fine on my system.  I have a Retail 8.1 DVD, so there may be some differences between your install media and mine.

    The Windows 8.1 Media Center is available on my system.  If you select to Add features to Windows 8.1 and use the buy key online option, it should open a window for Media Center.  I did not try to add it, so if the process will not complete, I never got that far.  If you are not being offered Media Center, it might be related to the .Net problem.

    Are you still using the original Windows 8.1 install configuration?  You haven't moved anything, like user profiles to another area?

    The process on my system took about 2 minutes to complete.  I was watching it with Process Monitor and around 1.7 million entries were generated in that log.  Maybe if you could tell how long it took before the the process stopped for you, we might be able to narrow down what was stopping it.

    For instance, the first window that appeared after selecting OK in the add features box was a dialog asking to go online to download necessary files.  I will assume you got that also, but if you error out within a couple of seconds of that event, you may be having a problem reaching the Windows update.  I realize you are downloading the install manually, but if you do that, does it also contain the v 1.0-v3.5 of .NET.

    I would probably look at your WindowsUpdate.log and the CBS.logto see if anything appears in those that might give you some clue about the problem.  If you need some specific information from the Process Monitor log, let me know, although I cannot upload the entire thing.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-02-26T16:42:03+00:00

    I have an 8.1 system on which I have not yet enabled the .Net 3.5 option.  I will try that but a couple of questions first.

    Were you online when you first tried loading that version and did you just check the 3.5 box which mentions it contains .Net 2.0 and 3.0?

    What programs are you running or tried to run that required it?

    Saltgrass,

    Yes, I was online, connected when 1st attempted, via the standard method of checking the 3.5 box to enable the feature (although that did not check the sub-items).

    The programs I was trying to run included Media Portal (a PVR that works with the HDHomeRun Dual TV Tuner), and CCExtractorGui (for extracting closed captioning).  I tried Media Portal because my version of Win 8.1 PRO 64-bit does not have the option for adding the Windows Media Center pack.  I don't know if that's because it's essentially being discontinued, or something else about my version.  It is a full version (not upgrade) Volume License for a non-profit organization, with a downloadable .ISO and installed with an MAK authorization.

    Right now, I'm using NextPVR for tuner capture, and CCExtractor on an XP machine on the network to strip the captions to .SRT file (text & timings).  I also may have some applications to move over from that XP machine that may or may not require earlier versions of .NET than the 4.5 currently installed on Win 8.1.

    Everything else, BTW, has been working great, and is all loaded & configured, which is why I am struggling to resolve this the hard way, rather than Refresh or Re-install Windows. If I could Repair like it was possible with earlier versions of Windows, without losing program installs (or those early days of Win95 etc. where there were utilities that could archive and re-install programs).

    Once upon a time, I was a decent tech, building and configuring animation & video editing systems for trade shows, major motion picture studios and game companies (Disney, Digital Domain, Dreamworks, Electronic Arts, Sony), but I've been out of it for years, and the Operating Systems have now gotten beyond my experience.  A far cry from the days when I could solve problems at Disney in an hour, when the on-site Microsoft techs couldn't get anywhere for 2 weeks, and they blamed it on the hardware.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-02-26T16:19:32+00:00

    I have more reading material:

    This document uses command lines to install from D: drive; assuming that is the recovery drive.

    Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Deployment Considerations

    Windows 8: Automating the installation of .NET Framework 3.5 with MDT

    http://blogs.technet.com/b/deploymentguys/archive/2012/11/13/windows-8-automating-the-installation-of-net-framework-3-5-with-mdt.aspx

    Videos - Install NetFramework

    http://www.theminecraftfreedownload.com/install-netframework-3-5-cmd-windows-8.html

    OK, thanks, will take a while to read that 1st Doc.  The last half I think I've done (or applies to Server installs), looks like the 1st half has some options that would at least give me more details on how the process is normally accomplished, and some checks along the way.  Also some links there to check out.  Will do.  One gets turned about after trying lots of different scenarios, so I need to get back to a straightforward, methodical step-through.  I think at times the issue is whether or not the install procedure is pulling from a good or a corrupted source.  I suspect some of my attempts have set me back in to a corrupted state, or with fail flags or pending stuff blocking completion.

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