As a Windows user, you lot've probably at least once come beyond the words ".Cyberspace Framework." Information technology's a Microsoft-developed software framework that lets you build and run C#, C++, F#, and Visual Basic programs. The latest .NET version is 4.8, but your figurer may demand an older version of .Internet (like .Net iii.5) to run some apps.

Fortunately, installing .NET version three.5 is adequately like shooting fish in a barrel. And then, let's explore how to double-check if your PC already has .Net 3.5 installed, and what to do if it isn't.

Is .Cyberspace Framework 3.five Installed on Your PC?

Earlier we head into installing .Internet three.five, it's a good idea to check if you've already installed it in the past:

  1. Press Win + R, blazon control, and press Enter to launch Command Console.
  2. Click on Programs > Programs and Features.
  3. From the left pane, select Turn Windows features on or off.
  4. You'll meet .Cyberspace three.5 at the peak of the list of Windows features. If the box besides .Internet three.v is shaded in black, it'southward installed.
windows features list dotnet 3.5

Notice how there's a bracket that says that this version includes .Cyberspace 2.0 and 3.0. This means THAT when you install .Net Framework 3.v, you'll also exist able to run any apps that require .NET 2.0 and 3.0.

If the box beside .Internet Framework iii.five is non shaded in black, that means it is not installed on your computer. Equally such, you can then use i of the post-obit three methods to get it installed onto your system.

Install .Cyberspace 3.5 From Windows Features

If you followed the above steps to figure out if your PC has .Cyberspace iii.5 Just follow the steps in the previous section to get to Windows Features.

All yous demand to do so is select the box too .Cyberspace Framework 3.5 and press OK to exit the window. Windows will begin installing .NET Framework 3.v immediately, but you'll need to restart your PC to complete the installation.

If yous don't take an cyberspace connexion on your PC, you could use a Windows DVD or bootable flash drive to install .NET 3.v. Information technology's fairly simple and doesn't take a lot of fourth dimension, provided you have the Windows installation media.

  1. Insert the installation media into your PC and look at the drive letter of the alphabet assigned to it,
  2. Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to launch Command Prompt as an ambassador.
  3. Execute the following command: 
                  Dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFX3 /All /Source:1000:sourcessxs /LimitAccess
    Information technology'southward assumed that your installation media is assigned the drive letter G. Replace the G with the letter assigned to the drive on your system.
    dotnet installation using cmd
  4. The installation volition take a few minutes. In one case information technology's complete, restart your PC.

Install .Net Framework Using Offline Installer

If you fancy doing a straight download, Microsoft has an offline installer for previous versions of the .NET framework on its dotnet website. Notwithstanding, before yous venture forth and download i of the files, make sure that you're downloading a supported version of .Net.

Fortunately, Microsoft makes it very easy to download a supported version. When you access the download folio, the website will automatically aggrandize the list of supported versions and hide the unsupported ones. And you'll detect .NET 3.v listed equally a supported version, every bit shown below.

dotnet versions supported and out of support

It's important to download a supported version, as Microsoft set "stop of back up" dates for its software, later which the software giant will stop releasing updates for information technology. Fortunately, at the fourth dimension of writing, .Net 3.five's expiry appointment is ready for October 10, 2028, and so yous have plenty of fourth dimension to use it.

Once you lot've downloaded the offline installer for your chosen version, you're ready to begin the installation. In virtually cases, your installation should exist smooth sailing. Sometimes, though, the offline installer just doesn't want to play brawl.

Install .NET Framework Using Command Prompt or PowerShell

If you like to go things done quickly, yous could utilise either the Control Prompt or the PowerShell to download and install .NET Framework iii.5 with a single command. Hither'due south how to practise that:

  1. Press Win + R, type cmd, and printing Ctrl + Shift + Enter to launch an elevated Command Prompt. If yous want to use PowerShell, blazon powershell instead of cmd.
  2. Run either of the following commands depending on whether you're using the Command Prompt or the PowerShell: Command Prompt: 
                  Dism /online /Enable-Characteristic /FeatureName:"NetFx3"
    PowerShell: 
                  Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName "NetFx3"
  3. This will trigger the installation. Once the installation process ends, you tin can exit the Command Prompt or PowerShell.

Confirm the Successful Installation of .Internet Framework 3.five

In one case you've installed the .NET Framework, you could verify successful installation past running a control in an elevated Control Prompt.

  1. Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to launch an elevated Command Prompt.
  2. Execute the following command: 
                  reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Framework Setup\NDP" /southward
  3. You lot'll encounter all the installed versions of .Cyberspace Framework on your organization.
check dotnet version using cmd

.NET Framework 3.v Installation Bug

There are a number of reasons why you could run into a problem while installing .Cyberspace Framework iii.5. For instance, if your copy of Windows is not licensed, .NET Framework won't install on your system. The only way out is to actuate your current copy or get a new Windows 10 license.

The installation process may too sometimes require y'all to download a scattering of Windows updates, though this is more than a trouble with newer versions of the .NET Framework unless y'all haven't updated your calculator since the stone age. It volition give you lot a KB number that y'all can use every bit a reference and get those updates installed.

If you lot've purchased your PC someday during the past x years, it's unlikely your PC won't back up .NET Framework version 3.5. Regardless, y'all can always go ahead and check what versions of .Net Framework will work on your Bone.

.Net Framework works on all Windows operating systems from Windows Vista onwards (i.east. Windows 7, 8, 8.1, and 10), though it doesn't come up pre-installed with Windows Vista.

dotnet 3.5 supported windows os

Yous're Gear up to Run .NET three.5 Programs

Hopefully, you were able to successfully install .Net 3.5 without running into issues. You should now be able to run all programs that require 3.5. You should likewise brand sure that you lot accept the near current .Net Framework installed likewise, of course.

Microsoft .NET Framework: Why You Need Information technology and How to Install It on Windows

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Arjun Ruparelia (47 Articles Published)

Arjun is an auditor past teaching and loves exploring technology. He likes applying engineering to make mundane tasks easier, and often, much more fun.

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