I have several all in one's.  We recently moved to active directory.  I have one application that requires dotnet 3.5 be enabled.  Following the command:

dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFX3 /Source:E:\sources\sxs

which is listed in several places does not work.  I ended up having to follow B1-Alesk advice from here:

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/f4217b5c-4341-4c6a-99be-46a178b34132/i-am-unable-to-install-net-35-on-windows-8?forum=W8ITProPreRel

1.open run (win key +r )

2.enter: gpedit.msc

3.Expand Computer Configuration, expand Administrative Templates, and then select System.

4.Open the Specify settings for optional component installation and component repair Group Policy setting, and then select Enabled.

Restart your pc, then repeat the Windows Update method or DISM method in cmd.

This worked for me.  I am baffled though.  My question is, why can I not load/enable dotnet 3.x from the dvd?  Do group policies forbid any other source even local sources?

Thank you.

KB3005628 "resolves an issue that prevents the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 feature from becoming enabled after security update KB2966827 or KB2966828 is installed..."

I saw those but those KB's have to get installed first and they were not installed so they were not preventing dotnet 3.x from installing.

Is there a reason as to why you cannnot allow .NET 3.5.1 to be installed from the Internet?

Hi,

The reason might be the group policy settings in domain.

Usually when we enable .Net 3.5 through Turn Windows features on or off, it will download the needed files through Windows Update (which should be what DarienHawk67 suggested), and if we specify the source to an WIM file, the policy you found out will be used.

See this blog for details:

Windows 8 and .Net Framework 3.5

Best regards