[Fix] .NET Framework 3.5 Error 0x800f0950 in Windows 10/11

.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.

.net framework 3.5 on-demand

Clicking Install this feature will install .NET Framework 3.5 via Windows Update. Alternatively, 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

  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.
    enable feature .net framework 3.5
  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 DISM

You use the following DISM command to install .NET Framework.

dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFX3

The above command installs Install .NET Framework 3.5 feature files from Windows Update.

On some systems, the .NET Framework 3.5 installation error 0x800f0950, 0x800F0906, 0x800F081F or 0x800F0907 may occur. If Windows Update is not functioning correctly on your system or WU is blocked, the following error may occur.

.net framework error 0x800f0950

Error: 0x800f0950

DISM failed. No operation was performed.

Here is another error message:

The following feature couldn't be installed:

.NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0)
Error code: 0x800F081F

RESOLUTION: Windows 10/11 Setup media as the source (DISM)

If the above DISM command fails with the error such as 0x800f0950, install the feature from the Windows 10/11 ISO. However, you must ensure that the Windows 10/11 version on your USB setup disk or ISO corresponds to the version of Windows installed on your system.

  1. Obtain the latest Windows 10/11 ISO (assuming that your Windows 10 system is running the newest build) using the Media Creation Tool, and then mount the ISO image.

    mct create installation media - iso or usb - select language architecture
    Download Windows ISO Using the Media Creation Tool
  2. Note down the drive letter of your DVD or the mounted drive, let’s say H:\
    .net framework error - iso sources sxs
  3. Open an elevated Command Prompt (Administrator) window.
  4. Type the following command, and press ENTER.
    dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFX3 /Source:h:\sources\sxs /LimitAccess

    dism enable feature netfx3

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.


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Ramesh Srinivasan is passionate about Microsoft technologies and he has been a consecutive ten-time recipient of the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional award in the Windows Shell/Desktop Experience category, from 2003 to 2012. He loves to troubleshoot and write about Windows. Ramesh founded Winhelponline.com in 2005.

3 thoughts on “[Fix] .NET Framework 3.5 Error 0x800f0950 in Windows 10/11”

  1. Among the other fake information, only this article saved my time. The Framework 3.5 successfully installed without any trouble. The only minor flaw of this solution is that you should get a Windows ISO file from elsewhere, but that is nothing considering that this problem could last forever unless you re-install your Windows. Anyway, thank you so much!

    Reply

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