Server 2012 Install-WindowsFeature Net-Framework-Features fail. Use the source, Luke

Let go.

The force is strong on this one.

Trust your feelings.

I don’t know if you have noticed or not.  But if you attempt to install the .Net 3.5 on Server 2012 it always fails.

This seems to have been particularly troublesome to application installers that ‘just expect it to work’ and fail instead.    Then you end up here, desperately trying to figure out how to install .Net 3.5.

If you wan to see the error that these installers are tossing; simply open a PowerShell windows and attempt to install .Net 3.5 using install- (or add- ) Windows Feature:

A nice big fat failure.  But you think, this always worked before.  Server 2008 / R2 / SP1 this worked without a hitch or problem.  It was built-in. What gives?

The issue is in the detail of that error:  Use the “source” option to specify the location of the files…

Well, seems that the files are not there, at least for .Net 3.5 they are not installed to the local WinSxS source location when the OS is installed.  (Ever wondered how you can add features after install?  ‘Sources’)

Looking around a bit, you will eventually find it.  On the installation CD / ISO.  So that becomes your source path.  Insert the DVD or mount the ISO to your VM and use the following:

Add-WindowsFeature –name NET-Framework-Features –source D:\sources\sxs

The “D:” in my case is the drive letter of the CD drive of my VM.