Symptom: When trying to add the .NET Framework 3.5 feature through the Add Roles and Features Wizard in Server 2012 (R2), you receive the following error:
Do you need to specify an alternate source path? One or more installation selections are missing source files on the destination server. The server will try to get missing source files from Windows Update, or from a location that is specified by Group Policy. You can also click the "Specify an alternate source path" link on this page to provide a valid location for the source files.
Solution: Complete the steps below to manually install .NET Framework 3.5 from the Server 2012 (R2) installation media. You can complete this task via command line or via the wizard.
- Option 1: Command Line
- Insert the Windows Sever 2012 installation media
- Open up an elevated command prompt
- Execute the following command
- dism /Online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:NetFX3 /All /Source:D:\Sources\SxS\ /LimitAccess
- Here is a breakdown of the following command:
/Online - Targets the running operating system.
/Enable-Feature - Enables a specific feature in the image.
/All - Enables all parent features of the specified feature.
/LimitAccess - Prevents DISM from contacting WU/WSUS.
- Here is a breakdown of the following command:
- dism /Online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:NetFX3 /All /Source:D:\Sources\SxS\ /LimitAccess
- Insert the Windows Sever 2012 installation media
- Option 2: GUI
- Insert the Windows Sever 2012 installation media
- On the Add Roles and Features wizard, click on Specify an alternate source path
- Enter D:\Sources\SxS\ to point to the Server 2012
- Insert the Windows Sever 2012 installation media
Once done installing through the GUI or command prompt, if you navigate back to the Add Roles and Features Wizard, you should see the feature has been successfully installed now.
I USED GUI STEP AND IT WORKED FINE FOR ME.
THANK YOU
Sweet steps, I'm glad you post this, Step 2 solved this for me.
This also works for Server 2016.
thank you very much for the commandlet 🙂
I found that it is not required to "Specify alternate source path" if you insert the installation media, reboot the server and attempt to install the features again. The system finds the external media path automatically.
Saved Time.... Solved the issue
Superb Solution, worked like charm
Worked, thanks
Thank you. This worked just as stated.
Believe it or not in 2022 I've come across a company still running SBS 2008 and have to upgrade the AD & Exchange server. Need to build all sorts of old server and need application I thought I was done with.
Thank you so much for this. Worked like a charm