.Net 3.5 stuck in searching for updates, alternate method won't work

Hi everyone! I have browsed the corners of the internet trying to find someone with my problem, but have yet to see something exactly the same as what I am seeing.

I am trying to install the .net 3.5 update for my Windows 10 Pro rig. I tried the usual way (enabling) with no luck: the system sits on searching for file and never goes anywhere. (I let it search overnight with no luck).

I tried the method suggested HERE with no luck either (it sits there telling me the image version but never starts the "Enabling Features" process. I've let it sit there for 30 minutes with no success.

I am trying to do the second step via a Windows 10 USB install, not a DVD. I didn't bother trying to create an ISO since I didn't think that would matter. In either case, I feel really stuck. Anyone have ANY ideas? I am unable to run a few legacy games because of this stupid .net 3.5 issue. It's really frustrating.

Cliff S said:

From Kyhi:
Are you putting the drive letter where X is? cut & paste the command into notepad make the necessary change, re-cut&paste into an Admin command prompt. do not type yourself as spacing is important. I have used this method on many installs during the preview on many many installs, and it never failed.

Just to be sure here is the command from my USB that I use(spacing and letter case is perfect):

DISM /Online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:NetFx3 /All /LimitAccess /Source:E:\sources\sxs


In my case E was the USB drive.

Yes indeed. I did make sure the correct letter of my USB drive was entered with no space, case sensitive. No luck.

Cliff S said:

Try my command.

I did. Nothing still. I'm baffled.

I've also tried this method by mounting the Windows 10 Pro ISO. Same problem. Sits there telling me the image version...nothing after that.

Cliff S said:

Sorry it has constantly worked for me.

Here is a link to a thread in the Microsoft Community on the subject(where I got the command). There are different ways of activating :Net 3.5, perhaps one of the others might help you. How to instal .Net Framework 3.5 on Windows 10

Thanks. Anyone else have any ideas? Suggestions?

topgundcp said:

You can try:

1. Delete everything under: C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download
   Those are left over from Windows Updates and no longer needed.
2. From Admin Command prompt, run:
   Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup
3. Turn on Net Framework 3.5 from programs & Features again to see if it helps.

FYI, This problem has been going on in the previous versions of Windows. That's why I mentioned this in Windows 8 Forums that you should turn on Net Framework 3.5 right after Windows Installation to avoid conflict with third party softwares. It works every single time for me.

Okay. I got it working. Here is what I did (holds breath): I restarted windows. Yup.

I restarted and everything finally worked. Odd.