Enable .NetFramework 3.5 in Windows 8 without using Windows Update

Microsoft has already released Windows 8 Release Preview some time ago. It’s got some really good new stuff like the metro UI and ribbon explorer and some more…
but there was one little thing bothering me with it. .Net Framework 3.5 wasn’t installed by default. If you want it, you have to get it from windows update.

I noticed that when i was checking the new windows features dialog which can be accessed from Control panel>Programs>turn windows features on or off

or if you’re using the metro screen, just typing the letters fea which are the first letters in windows features>settings>turn Windows features on or off as you can see in the screenshot below.

If you tried to use that windows features dialog, it will download it from windows update. If you already have an offline installer, it won’t work. I’ve already tried that which made me look for another method to do so and finally i found one.

All you’ll need to do is to copy some files from the windows DVD and run a command and it’s done.

1 – Insert you DVD ( or mount your ISO file), go to sourcessxs inside the DVD.

2 – Copy all files inside sourcessxs directory to a new folder called net35 in C: directory.

3 – Now you need to run the command prompt as Administrator. One of my favorite tricks in windows 8. From My Computer>C: or any open folder. go to file>open command prompt>open command prompt as administrator.

4 – Now you have Command Prompt running as administrator, copy and paste the following inside the command prompt.

Dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFX3 /All /Source:c:net35 /LimitAccess

hit the Enter key and make sure you get that screen when it’s done

5 – now to make sure everything is working fine, go back to the windows features dialog and .NetFramework 3.5 should be enabled by now

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