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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) started to pop me a message warning that .Net Framework 3.5 was needed:

enter image description here

I could use "Install this feature", start to download some dependencies(300MB) 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.

There is some way to install .Net 3.5 on Windows 8 without having to download the entire Framework from Microsoft?

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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). – techie007 Sep 3 '12 at 18:53
Yes, it downloads entire Framework from internet, I just checked here without internet and the service timed out. – Diogo Sep 3 '12 at 18:59
Wow, that's lame... then WHY is it still in the Image? :/ – techie007 Sep 3 '12 at 19:00
Reference. – Diogo Sep 3 '12 at 19:02
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)? :) – techie007 Sep 3 '12 at 19:07

1 Answer

up vote 16 down vote accepted

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 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.

enter image description here

  • That's it, .Net 3.5 is installed on your machine. Reboot and everything that requires .Net 3.5 will work.
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prompt 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 Dec 22 '12 at 9:07

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