Windows 10: Install error - 0x80073701 for .NET Framework 3.5 and 4.8.1 for Windows 11, version 23H2...

Hello I've ran into an issue while trying to install an update on my pc. Firstly my pc went into blue screen needing a restart so after that I checked if maybe it needs an update so i tried to install it but it was quite literally taking forever 3hrs + so i turned it off mid update although I know I shouldn't have. However it didn't turn off and just showed the screen with something along the lines "your computer is updating don't turn it off" so i just left it at that. After a little bit it seemed back to normal, homescreen and all so i checked if the update had completed but it had failed

:)

 

Windows update error 0x80073701 and .Net Framework broken

When you do what?

Repair install or Windows Update?

If it's Windows Update, run the script that @Caledon Ken suggested in post #12

Windows update error 0x80073701 and .Net Framework broken

 

uninstall .net framework 3.5 Error code: 0x80073701

Initially, I noticed:

2019-12 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 1909 for x64-based Systems (KB4530684)

was failing to install:

There were problems installing some updates, but we'll try again later.

2019-12 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 1909 for x64-based Systems (KB4530684) - Error 0x800f0831

My attempts to fix this problem have all failed. These are the steps I've taken so far:

C:\WINDOWS\system32>sfc /scannow

Beginning system scan. This process will take some time.

Beginning verification phase of system scan.

Verification 100% complete.

Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool

Version: 10.0.18362.1

Image Version: 10.0.18363.476

[==========================100.0%==========================]

Error: 0x800f081f

The source files could not be found.

Use the "Source" option to specify the location of the files that are required to restore the feature. For more information on specifying a source location, see Configure a Windows Repair Source.

The DISM log file can be found at C:\WINDOWS\Logs\DISM\dism.log

I confirmed .net framework 3.5 was installed, and I then installed all the parts of 3.5. This worked too, and instead of a black checkbox, it became a black checkmark in the .net framework 3.5.

I also confirmed .net framework 4.8 was installed.

After days of trying various fix methods, I stumbled upon an article that suggested:

1. uninstalling .net framework 4.8

2. uninstalling .net framework 3.5

3. installing .net framework 3.5

4. installing .net framework 4.8

I uninstalled .net framework 4.8, but when I tried to uninstall .net framework 3.5, I get an error:

Windows couldn't complete the requested changes.

The referenced assembly could not be found.

Error code: 0x80073701

Tell me how to solve this problem

Nothing I look for talks about how to fix this error when UNInstalling .net framework 3.5 -- they all talk about installing, and lay out careful instructions about where to get the .net framework 3.5 to install... but, the problem is I can't uninstall it,
and I suspect this means I can't install it either because it's already installed.

What else can I do?

 

Can't install NET Framework 3.5 with error code 0x80073701 and 0x800F0831

Hello,

The DMG files usually works on MacOS.

Try the DISM method to enable .NET Framework 3.5 on your system.

Please refer following step-by-step guide:

How to enable .NET Framework 3.5 in Windows 11

Let us know if this helps!

Note: Included link in this reply refers to blog post by a trusted Microsoft MVP.