By default, the .NET Framework 3.5 is not installed in the Windows Server 2012. If you want to activate this service, you may need to manually install it by using following methods.
Method 1
First launch the Server Manager from the taskbar (located at the left side of your screen). From the Dashboard > QUICK START, click on Add roles and features.
Click Next.
Under Installation Type, select option Role-based or feature-based installation. Click Next.
Choose Select a server from the server pool and select the system from the list. Click Next.
Click Next.
Under the Features, select .NET Framework 3.5 Features. Click Next.
Click on option Specify an alternate source path.
Now, find back the installation CD and copy the folder sxs to your local drive. In this example, we have put the sxs folder under the C:\ drive.
So, for below screen, we put the same path as where the sxs folder located. Now, click OK and Install.
The .NET Framework 3.5 installation will now running. You can monitor the progress till complete! Once completed, you can check the status by following the same steps as above – You will see the status (Installed).
Method 2
Open the Windows PowerShell (Right click and select as Run as administrator). Enter the below command, (E:\sources\sxs is the location of sxs folder).
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFX3 /Source:D:\sources\sxs /LimitAccess
If above command is not successful, use below command,
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /all /featurename:NetFX3 /Source:D:\sources\sxs /limitaccess
Method 3
Open the Windows PowerShell (Right click and select as Run as administrator). Enter the below command, (E:\sources\sxs is the location of sxs folder).
Add-WindowsFeature NET-Framework-Core -Source E:\sources\sxs
Below output shows that the installation is successful.
Success Restart Needed Exit Code Feature Result
------- -------------- --------- --------------
True No Success {.NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and...
