If you're seeing error 0x800F0950 or "The following feature couldn't be installed: .NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0)" while installing .NET 3.5 on Windows Server 2022, follow the steps below. This happens because Server 2022 needs to install .NET 3.5 from local installation media rather than Windows Update.
Step #1: Download the Windows Server 2022 ISO
Visit the Microsoft Evaluation Center.
Download the ISO file.
Step #2: Mount the ISO
Locate the downloaded ISO file.
Right-click on it and select Mount.
Note the drive letter assigned to the mounted ISO (e.g., D:).
Step #3: Install .NET 3.5 with a Single Command (Recommended)
This is the fastest fix and resolves the issue for most users. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run the following, replacing D: with your ISO's actual drive letter from Step 2:
Dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFx3 /All /LimitAccess /Source:D:\sources\sxs
Once it finishes, restart the server. This single command points DISM directly at the offline source files instead of Windows Update, which is what error 0x800F0950 indicates is missing.
Step #4: Still Failing? Try the Registry & Group Policy Method
If Step 3 still fails, it usually means a Group Policy setting is overriding the source path. Use this more thorough method instead:
1. Open Registry Editor
Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to the Correct Registry Key
Go to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Servicing
3. Create or Modify LocalSourcePath
If LocalSourcePath does not exist: right-click in the right pane, select New > String Value, and name it LocalSourcePath.
Set its value to the full path of the sources\sxs folder on your mounted ISO, for example:
D:\sources\sxs
Replace D: with the actual drive letter of your mounted ISO.
4. Ensure Group Policy Does Not Override Settings
Open Group Policy Editor by pressing Win + R, typing gpedit.msc, and pressing Enter.
Navigate to:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System
Edit the policy Specify settings for optional component installation and component repair: enable it, and set the source path to the same location (e.g., D:\sources\sxs).
5. Restart the Server
Restart the server, then retry Step 3's command or install via Server Manager below.
Step #5: Install via Server Manager (Alternative)
Open Server Manager.
Select Add Roles and Features.
Navigate through the wizard and select .NET Framework 3.5 Features.
When prompted for a source, point it to the same sources\sxs path used above.
Proceed with the installation.
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