Here is a guide on how to fix error code 0x800F0950 when trying to install .NET Framework on Windows 11/10 PC. A lot of Windows users have reported being encountering this error code when installing .NET Framework 3.5 or trying to run an app that needs this dependency. When triggered, this error prompts the following message followed by the error code 0x800F0950:
The following feature couldn’t be installed:
.NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0)
The changes couldn’t be completed. Please reboot your computer and try again.
Error code: 0x800F0950
The reason why this error occurs is not clear. Although, based on multiple user reports, this error might be triggered if .NET Framework was interrupted due to power failure or something else. It can also occur if you haven’t install pending Windows updates. Additionally, system file corruption can be another reason for this error.
Now, if you are facing the same error, you have landed on the correct page. Here, we are going to show you multiple methods that will enable you to fix the issue. Let us check out!
Fix .NET Framework 3.5 Installation Error 0x800F0950
Here are the methods that you can try if .NET Framework 3.5 installation fails with an error code 0x800F0950 on your Windows 11/10 PC:
- Run the .NET Framework Repair Tool.
- Enable .NET Framework Using DISM Command.
- Install Pending Windows Update.
- Install .NET Framework 3.5 using Windows Features.
- Create a Custom Installation Script (for Windows 10 Only).
- Install .NET Framework 4.8 from Microsoft (for Windows 11 only).
- Repair Install Windows.
Let us discuss the above methods in detail now!
1] Run the .NET Framework Repair Tool
If the installation of the .NET Framework was interrupted by power failure, unexpected shutdown, or likewise, there are chances that there are some leftover files interrupting the installation of new instances of the .NET Framework. In this particular case, running the Microsoft .NET Framework Repair Tool is the best solution. It will detect and fix the issues with your .NET Framework installation.
Simply download this repair tool from the Microsoft website. After that, run the installer and grant it administrative privileges. Next, follow the on-screen instruction to perform the scan and then apply the recommended repair strategies. When the repair is done, restart your PC and then see if the issue is fixed.
If you still continue to encounter the same error, you can try some other fix from this guide.
Read: Fix .NET Runtime Error 1026, Exception code c00000fd.
2] Enable .NET Framework Using DISM Command.
If the above fixes didn’t work for you, you can try installing .NET Framework via installation media by enabling it using the DISM command. As suggested by some users on the Microsoft Community page, this solution has worked for many users and might as well for you. So, try installing .NET Framework 3.5 directly from a compatible installation media using the below steps:
- First of all, insert your compatible installation media into your flash drive or DVD drive. Or, if you are using an ISO file, mount ISO.
- Now, open the Command Prompt with elevated privileges.
- Next, enter the below command in the CMD; just replace X with the drive letter where you have inserted the installation media:
Dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFX3 /All /Source:X:\sources\sxs /LimitAccess
- Once the process is completed, reboot your PC and check whether the error is now fixed or not.
If you still get the same error, follow the next method to resolve it.
See: Fix .NET Framework Error 0x800c0006 on Windows 11/10
3] Install Pending Windows Update
You might be receiving this error code if you haven’t installed pending Windows Update scheduled to install .NET Framework on your PC. So, make sure you have installed every pending WIndows update. For that, open the Settings app using Windows + I hotkey and then go to the Windows Update section. Then, check for updates available and install pending updates. When you install all Windows updates, you might find .NET Framework 3.5 under the Windows Update component.
If this doesn’t fix up the issue for you, try the next potential fix.
4] Install .NET Framework 3.5 using Windows Features (for Windows 10 Only)
If you are unable to install .NET Framework successfully using an installer, Windows 10 users can try installing .NET Framework 3.5 using Windows features. A lot of affected users were able to install the .NET framework through Windows features smoothly. Do note that as there is a newer version of the .NET Framework installed by default in Windows 11, so no action is needed on your part.
Here are the steps to do that:
- First, open the Run dialog box using Windows + R hotkey and enter appwiz.cpl in it to open up the Programs and Features window.
- Next, click on the Turn Windows features on or off button present in the left panel.
- Now, enable the .NET Framework 3.5 (this package includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0) checkbox.
- After that, press the OK button to save changes.
- On the next prompt, press the Yes button.
- When the process is finished, try rebooting your system and see if the error is fixed or not.
Read: Error 0x800F081F while installing .NET Framework on Windows 10
5] Create a Custom CMD Installation Script (for Windows 10 Only)
You can also attempt to install .NET Framework 3.5 using a custom installation script. Some users have reportedly fixed the error with this method. But do note that you are required to make a compatible installation media for your Windows 10 PC. After that, follow the below steps to create a custom CMD installation script:
Firstly, run the Notepad app as an administrator. Next, enter the below script in the Notepad:
@echo off Title .NET Framework 3.5 Offline Installer for %%I in (D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z) do if exist "%%I:\\sources\install.wim" set setupdrv=%%I if defined setupdrv ( echo Found drive %setupdrv% echo Installing .NET Framework 3.5... Dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFX3 /All /Source:XX:\sources\sxs /LimitAccess echo. echo .NET Framework 3.5 should be installed echo. ) else ( echo No installation media found! echo Insert DVD or USB flash drive and run this file once again. echo. ) pause
In the above script, replace XX with the drive letter where you have placed the installation media.
After copying and pasting the above script, go to the File menu and click on the Save as option. Now, you have to save this file with the .cmd file extension. For that, select All Files as Save as type, and then enter the filename followed by the .cmd file extension, and click on the Save button.
When the CMD script is created, double-click on the file and run it. Provide it the administrator privilege and let the script execute completely. When done, restart your PC and hopefully, the error will be fixed now.
See: How to fix Windows Update Error Code 643 – .NET Framework
6] Install .NET Framework 4.8 from Microsoft (for Windows 11 only)
In some cases, Windows 11 users have faced the error 0x800F0950 when launching a game that requires .NET Framework version 3.5. Such games also need the new iterations of the .NET Framework to run. If this scenario fits you, you can try downloading and installing the .NET Framework 4.8 version from the Microsoft DotNET page. This should fix the issue for you.
Here are the main steps to install .NET Framework 4.8 on Windows 11:
First, go to the official download page of .NET Framework 4.8.
Now, click on the Download .NET Framework 4.8 Runtime button to download the respective installer.
Next, double-click on the executable file and then follow the onscreen instructions to complete the installation.
When the installation is done, restart your PC and see if the 0x800F0950 error is fixed now.
If this doesn’t fix the issue for you, move on to the next potential fix.
7] Repair Install Windows
If none of the above solutions work for you, there might be some corruption on your PC that is triggering this error code. To counter the error in this case, you can try to repair install Windows. This should be able to fix the issue in case the error is caused due to corruption in your system.
Read: Windows Update Error 66A or 13EC for .NET Framework
How do I fix .NET Framework 3.5 on Windows 11?
The first thing you can do is to run the .NET Framework Repair Tool on Windows 11 computers in order to fix almost all the common installation errors. However, if it doesn’t work, you can turn on the .NET Framework using DISM. Apart from that, it is possible to install the same using Windows Features, creating a custom installation script, etc.
Is .NET 3.5 compatible with Windows 11?
Yes, .NET Framework 3.5 is compatible with Windows 11 – like Windows 10. It is possible to install it manually as well as using Windows Features. If you want to install it via Windows Features, you need to open the corresponding wizard, find the framework, tick the respective checkbox, and click the OK button. Next, you need to wait for a few moments to make the installation happen.
Hope this post helps you fix the .NET Framework 3.5 installation error code 0x800F0950 in Windows 11/10.
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