reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\NDP\v3.5" /v Install If the output shows 0x1 , installation succeeded.
Bookmark the Microsoft Update Catalog, download the correct CAB for your Windows version today, and store it in a safe location. You never know when an ancient yet critical application will demand .NET Framework 3.5. This article was last updated to reflect Windows 10 version 22H2 and Windows 11 version 23H2. The best practices described apply to Windows Server 2016, 2019, and 2022 as well, using the server-specific CAB files available in the same catalog. Download Microsoft-windows-netfx3-ondemand-package.cab
dism /image:C:\ /add-package /packagepath:"%DEPLOYROOT%\Drivers\netfx3.cab" This injects .NET 3.5 into the offline image before first boot. Q1: Is .NET Framework 3.5 safe to install on Windows 11? Yes, it is fully supported and runs in a side-by-side configuration with .NET 4.8. It does not degrade security or performance. Q2: Can I uninstall .NET 3.5 after using this CAB? Yes. Go to Control Panel → Turn Windows features on or off → Uncheck the box. Or use DISM: dism /online /remove-package /packagename:NetFX3~~~~ Q3: The CAB file I downloaded is called “Windows10.0-KB...cab” – is that the same? No. That is a Windows update, not the base .NET 3.5 on-demand package. The base CAB does not contain “KB” in the name. Search again carefully. Q4: Do I need to download separate CABs for x86 and x64? Yes. Installing an x64 CAB on an x86 system will fail with “The package is not applicable to this image.” Q5: My internet is slow. Can I download the CAB on another computer and transfer via USB? Absolutely. That is one of the main reasons to use the offline CAB method. Final Thoughts and Best Practices The microsoft-windows-netfx3-ondemand-package.cab file is a small but mighty tool in the Windows administrator’s arsenal. By downloading it from the official Microsoft Update Catalog, you gain the ability to deploy .NET Framework 3.5 reliably, offline, and without the headaches of the Windows Features GUI. This article was last updated to reflect Windows
This Cabinet (CAB) file is the offline installer for Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, specifically designed for Windows 10 and Windows 11. Unlike the standard online installer, this CAB package allows you to enable .NET Framework 3.5 without an active internet connection or without relying on buggy Windows Update channels. Q1: Is
@echo off dism /online /add-package /packagepath:\\server\share\netfx3.cab /quiet /loglevel:1 Link this script to a GPO under Computer Configuration → Windows Settings → Scripts → Startup. During Windows deployment (via MDT or OSD in SCCM), add a “Run Command Line” step after the “Apply Operating System” step:
This is where the file comes to the rescue.