Run .Net Framework 2.0, 3.0 and 3.5 on Windows 10

Software programs that require the Microsoft .Net Framework 2.0, 3.0 or 3.5 may not run by default on Microsoft's Windows 10 operating system.
The same is true for Windows 8 machines, but not for Windows 7 or Windows Vista. We talked about fixing the issue on Windows 8 PCs back in 2012, and would like to provide you with information on handling this issue in Windows 10 today.
The Microsoft .Net Framework is provided in different versions. While some versions replace others, this is not the case for all of them. This means, that you cannot just install the latest Microsoft .Net Framework version, .Net Framework 4.7 at the time of writing, and run any program that requires the framework using it.
If a program requires an earlier version of the Microsoft .Net Framework, and here in particular the versions 2.0, 3.0 or 3.5, you will receive an error during installation. This error may be thrown during application installation, or after installation when you try to run the program.
Windows might pick up on that automatically, but it is not a given that this is happening. If it happens, a window should be launched by the operating system that allows you to install the feature.
If it does not, you are required to install the feature manually instead, or, and that is without doubt a possibility, remove the program from the system as you cannot run it. A third option would be to use virtualization to run it which may be the best option if the old .Net Framework version cannot be installed.
Here is the quickest way to install the missing .Net Framework component on Windows 10:
Tap on the Windows-key on your keyboard, type appwiz.cpl, and hit the Enter-key on the keyboard. This opens the Programs and Features Control Panel applet.
Select Turn Windows features on or off on the left of the window.
Locate the entry .Net Framework 3.5 (includes .Net 2.0 and 3.0), and place a checkmark in the box next to it. You don't need to check the Windows Communication Foundation options that are sub-options of the main one.
Click ok, and wait for Windows to add the new component to the system.
Windows 10 might need to connect to Windows Update to download the .Net Framework 3.5 version to install it on the computer. You need to allow this connection to proceed.
A restart is required to complete the installation.
Installing the .Net Framework 3.5 manually
Sometimes, using the "turn Windows features on or off" may not work. Maybe you are getting an error when trying to initiate the Windows Update download, or if there is no Internet connection.
Note that you cannot just run the classic installers of the .Net Framework 3.5, but you can install the .Net Framework 3.5 from Windows 10 installation media.
- Insert the Windows 10 installation media in the DVD drive, mount it if you have an ISO image, or connect the USB flash drive to the PC.
- Make a mental note of the drive letter that is assigned to the media.
- Tap on the Windows-key, type cmd.exe, hold down the Ctrl-key and Shift-key, and hit the Enter-key to open an elevated command prompt window.
- Run the following command (replace the drive letter F with the drive letter on your PC): Dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFX3 /All /Source:F:\sources\sxs /LimitAccess
- This installs the Microsoft .Net Framework 3.5, which includes 2.0 and 3.0 as well, on the system directly from the installation media.
Now You: Which .Net Framework versions do you have installed on your Windows PC?


What mental age of reader are you targeting with the first sentence? 10?
Why not write an article on how to *avoid* upgrading from W10 to W11. Analogous to those like me who avoided upgrading from 7 to 10 for as long as possible.
If your paymaster Microsoft permits it, of course.
5. Rufus
6. Ventoy
PS. I hate reading these “SEO optimized” articles.
I used Rufus to create an installer for a 6th gen intel i5 that had MBR. It upgraded using Setup. No issues except for Win 11 always prompting me to replace my local account. Still using Win 10 Pro on all my other PCs to avoid the bullying.
bit pointless to upgrade for the sake of upgrading as you never know when you’ll get locked out because ms might suddenly not provide updates to unsupported systems.
ps…. time travelling?
written. Jan 15, 2023
Updated • Jan 13, 2023
This happens when you schedule a post in WordPress and update it before setting the publication date.
Anyone willing to downgrade to this awful OS must like inflicting themselves with harm.
I have become convinced now that anybody who has no qualms with using Windows 11/10 must fit into one of the following brackets:
1) Too young to remember a time before W10 and W11 (doesn’t know better)
2) Wants to play the latest games on their PC above anything else (or deeply needs some software which already dropped W7 support)
3) Doesn’t know too much about how computers work, worried that they’d be absolutely lost and in trouble without the “”latest security””
4) Microsoft apologist that tries to justify that the latest “features” and “changes” are actually a good thing, that improve Windows
5) Uses their computer to do a bare minimum of like 3 different things, browse web, check emails, etc, so really doesn’t fuss
Obviously that doesn’t cover everyone, there’s also the category that:
6) Actually liked W7 more than 10, and held out as long as possible before switching, begrudgingly uses 10 now
Have I missed any group off this list?
You have missed in this group just about any professional user that uses business software like CAD programs or ERP Programs which are 99% of all professional users from this list.
Linux doesn’t help anyone who is not a linux kid and apple is just a fancy facebook machine.
Microsoft has removed KB5029351 update
only from windows update though
KB5029351 is still available from the ms update catalog site
1. This update is labaled as PREVIEW if it causes issues to unintelligent people, then they shouldn’t have allowed Preview updates ot install.
2. I have installed it in a 11 years old computer, and no problems at all.
3. Making a big drama over a bluescreen for an updated labeled as preview is ridiculous.
This is probably another BS internet drama where people ran programs and scripts that modified the registry until they broke Windows, just for removing stuff that they weren’t even using just for the sake of it.
Maybe people should stop playing geeks and actually either use Windows 10 or Windows 11, but don’t try to modify things just for the sake of it.
Sometimes removing or stopping things (like defender is a perfect example) only need intelligence, not scripts or 3rd party programs that might mess with windows.
Windows 11 was a pointless release, it was just created because some of the Windows team wanted to boost sales with some sort of new and improved Windows 10. Instead, Microsoft cannot support one version well let alone two.
Windows 11 is the worst ugly shame by Microsoft ever. They should release with every new W11 version a complete free version of Starallback inside just to make this sh** OS functionally again.
motherboard maker MSI has recently released a statement regarding the “unsupported processor” blue screen error for their boards using Intel 600/700 series chipsets & to avoid the KB5029351 Win11 update:
https://www.msi.com/news/detail/MSI-On–UNSUPPORTED-PROCESSOR–Error-Message-of-Windows-11-Update-KB5029351-Preview-142215
check out the following recent articles:
Neowin – Microsoft puts little blame on its Windows update after UNSUPPORTED PROCESSOR BSOD bug:
https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-puts-little-blame-on-its-windows-update-after-unsupported-processor-bsod-bug/
BleepingComputer – Microsoft blames ‘unsupported processor’ blue screens on OEM vendors:
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-blames-unsupported-processor-blue-screens-on-oem-vendors/
While there may be changes or updates to the Windows 10 Store for Business and Education in the future, it is premature to conclude that it will be discontinued based solely on rumors.
My advice, I left win 15 years ago. Now I’m a happy linux user (linuxmint) but there is Centos, Fedora, Ubuntu depending on your needs.
motherboard maker MSI has recently released new BIOS/firmware updates for their Intel 600 & 700 series motherboards to fix the “UNSUPPORTED_PROCESSOR” problem (Sept. 6):
https://www.msi.com/news/detail/Updated-BIOS-fixes-Error-Message–UNSUPPORTED-PROCESSOR–caused-BSOD-on-MSI-s-Intel-700-and-600-Series-Motherboards-142277
I try to disable the Diagnostics Tracking Service (Connected Devices Platform User Services) but it wont let me disable it, any help will be greatly appreciated.
Tank you for your help