As a Windows user, you've probably at least once come across the words ".Internet Framework." It's a Microsoft-developed software framework that lets you build and run C#, C++, F#, and Visual Basic programs. The latest .Net version is iv.8, but your computer may need an older version of .Net (like .NET iii.v) to run some apps.

Fortunately, installing .Net version three.5 is fairly easy. So, let'due south explore how to double-check if your PC already has .NET iii.5 installed, and what to do if it isn't.

Is .NET Framework 3.5 Installed on Your PC?

Before we head into installing .Internet 3.5, it's a good idea to bank check if you lot've already installed it in the past:

  1. Press Win + R, blazon control, and press Enter to launch Command Panel.
  2. Click on Programs > Programs and Features.
  3. From the left pane, select Turn Windows features on or off.
  4. You'll see .NET 3.5 at the top of the listing of Windows features. If the box besides .Internet 3.5 is shaded in black, information technology'south installed.
windows features list dotnet 3.5

Notice how in that location's a bracket that says that this version includes .NET 2.0 and iii.0. This ways THAT when you install .Net Framework three.5, y'all'll also be able to run whatsoever apps that require .NET 2.0 and three.0.

If the box beside .Net Framework 3.5 is not shaded in black, that means it is not installed on your computer. As such, you can then use one of the following 3 methods to get it installed onto your organization.

Install .Net 3.v From Windows Features

If you lot followed the above steps to figure out if your PC has .Net 3.5 Just follow the steps in the previous section to get to Windows Features.

All you demand to do and then is select the box besides .NET Framework 3.v and printing OK to exit the window. Windows will brainstorm installing .Internet Framework 3.5 immediately, but you'll need to restart your PC to complete the installation.

If you don't have an internet connection on your PC, you could use a Windows DVD or bootable wink drive to install .NET 3.5. It's fairly simple and doesn't take a lot of time, provided you have the Windows installation media.

  1. Insert the installation media into your PC and await at the bulldoze alphabetic character assigned to it,
  2. Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to launch Control Prompt as an administrator.
  3. Execute the following command:
                  Dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFX3 /All /Source:Grand:sourcessxs /LimitAccess
    It'south causeless that your installation media is assigned the drive letter G. Replace the G with the letter assigned to the drive on your arrangement.
    dotnet installation using cmd
  4. The installation volition take a few minutes. Once it's complete, restart your PC.

Install .Cyberspace Framework Using Offline Installer

If you fancy doing a direct download, Microsoft has an offline installer for previous versions of the .Internet framework on its dotnet website. However, before you venture forth and download one of the files, brand sure that yous're downloading a supported version of .Cyberspace.

Fortunately, Microsoft makes it very easy to download a supported version. When y'all access the download page, the website volition automatically expand the list of supported versions and hide the unsupported ones. And y'all'll discover .NET 3.five listed as a supported version, equally shown below.

dotnet versions supported and out of support

It'southward important to download a supported version, as Microsoft set "end of support" dates for its software, afterward which the software giant volition terminate releasing updates for it. Fortunately, at the time of writing, .Net iii.five'south death date is set for Oct 10, 2028, then you have plenty of time to utilize it.

One time yous've downloaded the offline installer for your chosen version, you're prepare to begin the installation. In most cases, your installation should be smooth sailing. Sometimes, though, the offline installer only doesn't want to play ball.

Install .NET Framework Using Command Prompt or PowerShell

If y'all similar to get things done quickly, yous could use either the Command Prompt or the PowerShell to download and install .NET Framework iii.v with a unmarried command. Hither's how to do that:

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

Confirm the Successful Installation of .Cyberspace Framework 3.5

Once you've installed the .Cyberspace Framework, you could verify successful installation by running a command in an elevated Command Prompt.

  1. Press Win + R, type cmd, and printing Ctrl + Shift + Enter to launch an elevated Command Prompt.
  2. Execute the post-obit command:
                  reg query                "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Cyberspace Framework Setup\NDP"                /due south
  3. You'll see all the installed versions of .NET Framework on your arrangement.
check dotnet version using cmd

.NET Framework 3.5 Installation Problems

There are a number of reasons why you could run into a trouble while installing .Net Framework 3.5. For instance, if your copy of Windows is not licensed, .NET Framework won't install on your system. The only mode out is to activate your current re-create or go a new Windows x license.

The installation process may besides sometimes require you to download a handful of Windows updates, though this is more a trouble with newer versions of the .Net Framework unless you haven't updated your computer since the rock age. It will give you a KB number that you tin can utilize every bit a reference and get those updates installed.

If y'all've purchased your PC anytime during the past 10 years, information technology'southward unlikely your PC won't support .NET Framework version 3.five. Regardless, you lot can always become ahead and cheque what versions of .Cyberspace Framework will work on your Bone.

.NET Framework works on all Windows operating systems from Windows Vista onwards (i.e. Windows seven, 8, 8.1, and ten), though information technology doesn't come up pre-installed with Windows Vista.

dotnet 3.5 supported windows os

You're Prepare to Run .NET three.v Programs

Hopefully, you lot were able to successfully install .Internet three.5 without running into problems. You should now be able to run all programs that require iii.v. You lot should also make certain that you take the most current .Cyberspace Framework installed also, of course.