Install .NET Framework 3.5 on Windows Server 2016

In this article, we will explain How to Install .NET Framework 3.5 on Windows Server 2016 (Offline Mode) and (Online Mode).

You might also like to read telnet is not recognized Windows Server 2016

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Install .NET Framework 3.5 on Windows Server 2016

• We have tried to install Workflow Manager on SharePoint 2016 environment on Windows Server 2016, we got the below message:

The .Net Framework 3.5 is not installed on your server.

• So that, we tried to add a new feature from Server Manager.

• We have followed the wizard until we got the Features section, and we checked the .NET Framework 3.5 Features, then we clicked on Install button.

• But , we got the below error:

The feature Installation failed because the source files could not be found!

• Again, we have tried to specify an alternative source path as shown below.

• Then we specified the source path to the .Net Framework 3.5 offline package that located in a newly created folder located in the path E:\sources\SxS.
• Press   > OK > Install.

But, we still can’t install .Net Framework 3.5 on Windows Server 2016!!

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Why I can’t install .Net Framework 3.5 on Windows Server 2016?

In Windows Server 2012 R2 as well as Windows Server 2016, the .Net Framework 3.5 feature is an on-demand feature that its files are not saved on the server with the windows installation due to decreasing the disk space taken by the Operating System.

How to Install .NET Framework 3.5 on Windows Server 2016 (Offline)?

The .Net 3.5 Framework feature should be installed from the below sources:

• The same Windows media that was used when the Windows is being installed.
• The Windows media with the same current installed version (eg. If Windows server 2016 has been installed on your machine, you must use an installation media for Windows Server 2016).

If you don’t have the same Windows installation media. you can download the corresponding Windows ISO for your current installed Windows from Microsoft as a trial version.

Steps

• Mount the Windows installation media (ISO/CD) with the same version of the current installed windows.
• Specify the alternative source path to U:\Sources\SXS
  • Note: U:\ is the drive that Windows Server 2012 ISO has mounted.

• Click install > wait a moment till the feature installed successfully. 🙂

How to Install .NET Framework 3.5 on Windows Server 2016 (Offline) using Command prompt?

Alternatively, you can use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) command-line tool to enables the .NET Framework 3.5 feature without internet connection as the following:

Note: Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) is a command-line tool that is used to mount and service Windows images before deployment. for more details check DISM – Deployment Image Servicing and Management.

Steps

• Open Command prompt as Administrator.
• Type the below cmdlet.

DISM /Online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:NetFx3 /All /LimitAccess /Source:d:\sources\sxs

• d:\ is the drive that the Windows Server ISO has mounted.
• /All to enable all parent features of the specified feature.
• /LimitAccess to prevent DISM from contacting Windows Update/WSUS.
• /Source to specify the location of the files that are needed to restore the feature.

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How to Install .NET Framework 3.5 on Windows Server 2016 (Online)?

You can also use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) command-line tool to enables the .NET Framework 3.5 feature with an internet connection as the following:

Steps

• Open Command prompt as Administrator.
• Type the below cmdlet.

DISM /online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFx3 /all

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Conclusion

In this article, we have explained How to install .NET Framework 3.5 feature on Windows Server 2016 (Online/Offline).

Applies To

• Windows Server 2016.
• Windows Server 2012.

See Also

• DISM – Deployment Image Servicing and Management.
• Enable or Disable Windows Features Using DISM.
• Evaluation Period expired for Windows Server 2012 R2, How to extend it?