How to enable .NET Framework 3.5 on Windows 8 without downloading it?

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Since I installed Windows 8 Preview on my personal computer, during the installation of some programs and drivers (Windows 7 ones) it started to pop me a message warning that .NET Framework 3.5 was needed:

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I could use "Install this feature", start to download some dependencies (300 MB) and that's it, but I don't want to have to download it every time I want to enable this feature on every machine that I install Windows 8.

Is there is some way to install .NET 3.5 on Windows 8 without having to download the entire Framework from Microsoft?

Diogo

Posted 2012-09-03T18:45:03.143

Reputation: 28 202

Is that actually what happens when you click it? In 7 and 2008 adding the "Features" or "Roles" didn't require an Internet connection to add (just to update, after adding). Including their in-built .NET version (3.5). – Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007 – 2012-09-03T18:53:30.643

Yes, it downloads entire Framework from internet, I just checked here without internet and the service timed out. – Diogo – 2012-09-03T18:59:04.143

Wow, that's lame... then WHY is it still in the Image? :/ – Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007 – 2012-09-03T19:00:04.813

Reference. – Diogo – 2012-09-03T19:02:29.553

I wonder if the "included" .Net 4.5 does it too then? Bizarre choices over at MS. :) Also, maybe you should reference your source in your answer (them's the rules ain't they)? :) – Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007 – 2012-09-03T19:07:55.940

Answers

23

Yes, there is an easy way, but you must have installation media for Windows 8 (could be a DVD or even a mounted .ISO with a Windows 8 installation) and make sure the media is for the correct version of Windows (x32 or x64). Otherwise, the command line will fail (not harmful, just annoying):

  • Run a command prompt (cmd) with elevated rights ('as Administrator').
  • Run the following command:

dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFX3 /All /Source:E:\sources\sxs /LimitAccess

where "E:\sources\sxs" is the sxs path of your Windows 8 installation media.

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  • That's it, .NET 3.5 is installed on your machine. Reboot and everything that requires .NET 3.5 will work.

Diogo

Posted 2012-09-03T18:45:03.143

Reputation: 28 202

1prompt me : The limitaccsess option is not recognized in this context. Dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFX3 /Source:I:\Sources\sxs i run that without limit-access switch, and execute successfully. – saber tabatabaee yazdi – 2012-12-22T09:07:00.470

2The limitaccsess option is not recognized in this context. You can't spell limitaccess. – ta.speot.is – 2013-07-03T12:14:53.787

Asked: 2012-09-03T18:45:03.143

Viewed: 36 692 times

Active: 2013-07-03T12:12:58.527