Installing .NET 3.5 on Windows Server 2012 / 2012R2



.NET 3.5 on Windows Server 2012 with or without source ISO

 

When working on Windows Server where you do not have full control can be very tricky to install .NET 3.5 framework. This is especially the case when you are setting up a system for a customer on a cloud hosted server for example.

You get your server from your cloud provider and you get credentials to login and thats all. No control over virtual environment. 

Why would you need .NET 3.5 framework? - There are tons of applications that still use and are built on .NET 3.5 still and yes all those applications are current releases.

Now, lets get down to business.

You have two options to enable/install .NET 3.5 on server 2012 / 2012 R2 using few fairly simple steps. Both of this options are discussed below in its own separate section.



Install .NET 3.5 framework on Server 2012 with INTERNET access

In this scenario your server has Internet access. You do not have access to the source ISO or you cannot be bothered chasing access from someone as it is always easier to get things done on your own.

Windows server is instructed to download updates via WSUS server hence when you try to install .NET 3..5 through Server Manager it fails.

To workaround this issue, you need to instruct the server to look for .NET 3.5 straight on the internet when installing.

To do that open gpedit.msc and navigate to:
Local computer policies -> Administrative Templates -> System Specify Settings for optional component installation and component repair


Enable the setting and bypass WSUS:

Open Server Manager, install feature .NET 3.5 and happy days!



Install .NET 3.5 framework on Server 2012 without INTERNET access

If your server does not have Internet access you need the installation ISO.

Mount the ISO, in this example to a drive D:\

Open Server Manager and click on the Specify alternate source path blue link before enabling the feature, and add your alternate source path:
D:\sources\sxs

Click on Install and happy days!



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