How to install DotNet 2.0 or 3.5 on Windows 8

Windows 8 includes the 2.0, 3.5 and 4.5 versions of the .NET Framework. However, only 4.5 is available for immediate use after a clean install. The versions 2.0 and 3.5 of the framework are not installed by default. If you open the Add/Remove Windows Features dialog you’ll see the “Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5.1” listed, but disabled.

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To install DotNet 2.0 or 3.5 on Windows 8,

  1. Go to Control Panel –> Programs –> Get Programs
  2. Click Turn Windows features on or off
  3. Check ‘.NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0)′
  4. Click OK.

This Microsoft .Net Framework 3.5.1 feature contains both the 2.0 and 3.5 versions of the Framework, so you won’t install standalone 2.0 Framework.

Actually for .NET 3.5,  you don’t need to manual install it. When user runs an app that requires .NET 3.5 runtime, Windows 8 will prompt automatically Turn Windows features on or off dialog walk thru user enable .NET 3.5.

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Note that install through Windows Auto Update does not work if you don’t have an Internet connection or you will be receiving 0x800F0906 error, you can workaround this by running following from elevated command prompt

dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFx3 /all /source:<YourWindowsCDPath>\sources\sxs

<YourWindowsCDPath> is the drive of your ISO CD or the path where your ISO was extracted to.

6 thoughts on “How to install DotNet 2.0 or 3.5 on Windows 8

  1. Here’s the exact point.
    We’re here because we’re trying to find out a solution about installing NET.Framework 3.5 without accessing the internet. Is it possible or is it not, right ?

    So the relevant answer is should be possible or impossible, right ?
    If it is possible, how then ?

    I have the same problem too, and figuring out is still a matter for me.
    Maybe microsoft made it so,

  2. DISM failed with Error: 0x800f0906. I found a workaround to install DotNet 3.5 offline.
    dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFx3 /all /source:YourWindowsCDPath\sources\sxs. HTH

  3. Pingback: Windows 8 CP: Activation and DotNet 3.5 « RosenRed

  4. Thanks, the offline solution is working for me.
    1.x:\sources\SxS is the path to your mounted ISO.
    2. make sure the command is all on one line.

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