.NET Framework is a software framework used by many Windows applications. Some programs developed on a specific version of Visual Studio require a particular version of the .NET Framework. Many companies develop their apps to run using the .NET Framework, and these apps target a specific version. If you see this pop-up, you’re trying to run an application that requires the .NET Framework version 3.5, but that version is not installed on your system.

1. Error 0x800f0906 Windows Server 2012
2. Error Code 0x800f0906 Windows 8.1
3. Dism Error 0x800f0906 Windows 10

Clicking Install this feature will install .NET Framework 3.5 via Windows Update. Alternately, you can enable the .NET Framework 3.5 through the Windows Control Panel. This option requires an Internet connection.

Install .NET Framework 3.5 Using Windows Features

UPDATE: Dec 2016 – While the process below works very well, you can eliminate future.NET install problems by installing FEATURES ON DEMAND on your companies WSUS server. If you are unable to install.NET 3.5 on Windows 8 or 8.1 and end up with errors like 0x800F0906 and 0x800F081F you will find that errors relate to corrupt or limited access to the source files. Sep 23, 2014 - While installing.Net Framework 3.5 or higher version, mostly in domain environment you might get the error of 0x800F0906, 0x800F081F, 0x800F0907. After you fails to install.Net Framework on a computer running Windows 7 or 8 or 8.1 from Install or Remove Windows Feature Dialog. May 21, 2019 - NET Framework 3.5 in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2. In this article, but you might be able to try the following steps to fix those errors as well. Error code 0x800F0906, 0x800F081F, or 0x800F0907.

1. Right-click Start, click Run. Type OptionalFeatures.exe, and press Enter.
2. In the “Turn Windows features on or off” dialog box that appears, select the .NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0) check box.
   
3. Select OK, and reboot your computer if prompted.

You don’t need to select the sub-items “Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) HTTP Activation” and “Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) Non-HTTP Activation” unless you’re a developer or server administrator who requires this functionality.

Install .NET Framework 3.5 Using Windows Setup Disk & DISM

In some systems, .NET Framework 3.5 installation error 0x800f0950, 0x800F0906, 0x800F081F or 0x800F0907 may occur. For example, here is an error message:

The following feature couldn’t be installed:

.NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0)

Error code: 0x800F081F

In those cases, you can try installing the feature from the Windows 10 DVD or ISO. However, you must make sure that the Windows 10 version on your DVD or ISO corresponds to the version of Windows 10 installed on your system.

Option 1: DISM: Windows 10 Setup media as the source

1. Obtain the latest Windows 10 ISO (assuming that your Windows 10 system is running the newest build) using the Media Creation Tool, and then mount the ISO image.
2. Note down the drive letter of your DVD or the mounted drive, let’s say H:
   
3. Open an elevated Command Prompt (Administrator) window.
4. Type the following command, and press ENTER

Note: If you need to install the “Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) HTTP Activation” and “Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) Non-HTTP Activation”, make sure you add the /All parameter, as seen in the above screenshot. As said earlier, these two components are usually not required for most users.

Option 2: DISM: Windows Update as the source

Alternately, to use Windows Update server as the source, run this command:

The above command installs Install .NET Framework 3.5 feature files from Windows Update. Then try enabling .NET Framework 3.5 again via Windows Features and restart Windows.

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About the author

Ramesh Srinivasan founded Winhelponline.com back in 2005. He is passionate about Microsoft technologies and has a vast experience in Windows — delivering support for Microsoft's consumer products. He has been a Microsoft MVP (2003-2012) who contributes to various Windows support forums.

Windows 8 comes in default with .NET Framework 4.5 but does not include .NET 3.5 by default. There are some 3rd-party software which still require .NET Framework 2.0 or 3.0. Installing .NET 3.5 would then take care of this.

You should be able to find similar How-To through simple web search but just wanted to make it easier to search here in Spiceworks.

Note: If you are upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 8, .NET Framework 3.5 is fully enabled.

6 Steps total

Step 1: Online Method (requires Internet Connection)

- Go to Control Panel (Windows Key + X; choose from the options)
- Choose Programs
- Click 'Turn Windows features on or off'
- Check the '.NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0)' box to enable the feature
- Click OK and selected .NET package will download and install

Step 2: Offline Method (requires installation disc or ISO image)

- Open 'Command Prompt (Admin)' (Windows Key + X)
- Run DISM (deployment Image Servicing and Management) command

dism /online /get-features more
This will show you that feature 'NetFx3' is is 'Disabled' state

- Insert the Windows 8 disc in the CD/DVD tray or Mount ISO image
- Create a folder under C drive called 'sxs'
- Depending on the drive assigned to the disc or mounted image run the following xcopy command'

xcopy E:sourcessxs*.* C:sxs /s
/s - copies folders and subfolders except empty ones

- After copying the needed files/folders, run the following DISM command in Command Prompt (Admin)

dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFx3 /All /Source:C:sxs /LimitAccess

/All - Enables all parent features of the specified feature
/LimitAccess - prevents DISM from contacting WU/WSUS

Step 3: Powershell Method

- Open Windows Powershell in Admin mode. If not already added to your start menu then click 'Windows Key + F', enter 'Powershell' in search box, when search result pulls up 'Windows Powershell', right-click to choose 'Run as Administrator'
- Run the following command

Get-WindowsOptionalFeature –Online –FeatureName NetFx3
This will show you that feature 'NetFx3' is is 'Disabled' state

- Enable the feature from ISO/DVD by running the following command

Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature –Online –FeatureName NetFx3 –All -LimitAccess -Source E:sourcessxs

Error 0x800f0906 Windows Server 2012

/All - Enables all parent features of the specified feature
/LimitAccess - prevents DISM from contacting WU/WSUS

Step 4: Error code: 0x800F0906

Cause

This error occurs during Online installation method where-in the Windows 8 PC is unable to download files from Windows Updates.

Resolution

In environments which do not have a WSUS server, one needs to simply check if internet connectivity exists and there are no network, proxy or firewall failures.

In environments with WSUS server, Administrator needs to do the following:

- Open Local Group Policy Editor (or GPMC)
- Computer Configuration --> Administrative Templates --> System
- Enable 'Specify settings for optional component installation and component repair'
- Select 'Contact Windows Update directly to download repair content instead of Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)' option
- Apply the changes and perform 'gpupdate /force'

Step 5: Error code: 0x800F0907

Cause

This error occurs during Online installation method where-in the Windows 8 PC is unable to download files from alternate source path.

Error Code 0x800f0906 Windows 8.1

Resolution

Administrator needs to do the following:

- Open Local Group Policy Editor (or GPMC)
- Computer Configuration --> Administrative Templates --> System
- Enable 'Specify settings for optional component installation and component repair'
- Specify 'Alternate source file path' to Network Location/DVD/ISO
- Apply the changes and perform 'gpupdate /force'

Step 6: Error code: 0x800F081F

Cause

This happens when alternative source path is specified but one of the following conditions is true:

- The source path does not contain the files that are required to install the feature
- Person installing the feature does not correct access rights to read files at the source path.
- Installation files are corrupted

Resolution

Dism Error 0x800f0906 Windows 10

- Make sure that the path of the source is correct which would be something like 'E:sourcessxs'
- Make sure that person installing the feature at least has Read access to the location
- Directly access the source and check the integrity of the files

References;

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/windows/hardware/hh975396
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2785188
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2734782

6 Comments

• Pimiento
  jolovicn Feb 13, 2014 at 02:56pm

  For error code: 0x800F0906

  Where can I find GPMC on Windows 8.1? My computer is connected to the domain and therefore policy goes from the server. This setting I can not find the server GPME.

• Datil
  Mel9484 Feb 14, 2014 at 07:53pm

  @jolovicn - You will need to make the change to the local group policy on the windows 8.1 PC even though you are on a domain. Try out the Method 2.

  Please check if the following KB helps. This is same as step 4.

  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2734782

• Tabasco
  UF IT - Mike Mar 24, 2014 at 06:51pm

  Worked perfectly. Local Policy change saved the day. You the man Mel!

• Anaheim
  SampeiMihira Aug 20, 2014 at 01:22pm

  Perfect guide, perfect result!
  For me it worked the dism-related solution, not the local GPO.
  A ton of thanks !

• Poblano
  NuttyBar Jan 23, 2015 at 06:23pm

  fantastic, doing the group policy worked for me! loved it

• Pimiento
  masoodmunshie May 12, 2015 at 02:19pm

  Thank you.Offline Installation worked for me. Finally installed the framework!