Installing .Net 3.5 onto Windows 8 and 8.1 using DISM

author Rik Hepworth calendar Aug 31, 2013 · 1 min read · Uncategorised  ·
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This is one of those posts to save me searching the web every time I need to install .Net 3.5 on a Windows 8 (and now 8.1) system. If the automated installation via add/remove features fails then you need the correct DISM command.

For those who have not yet encountered it, DISM allows you to perform actions on Windows image files in a process called Offline Servicing. However, it also allows you to perform the same functions online – on your current windows system.

There is a handy TechNet post on the various ways of installing .Net 3.5 on Windows 8. It’s a useful reference.

For those, like me, who just want the quick steps:

  • Grab your Windows 8 media – USB stick, mounted ISO or DVD.
  • Open an Administrator-level command prompt.
  • Type: Dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFx3 /All /LimitAccess /Source:x:sourcessxs Where x is the drive letter of your source media.
  • Watch the installation progress. Job done.