Fix “This Setup Requires .NET Framework 2.0” Error in Windows 11

Fix: “This Setup Requires .NET Framework Version 2.0” on Windows 11

When installing older applications or games on Windows 11, you may see the error message:

“This setup requires .NET Framework version 2.0.”

This happens because many legacy programs were built using .NET Framework 2.0, 3.0, or 3.5. By default, these older frameworks are not installed in Windows 11. Fortunately, you can easily enable them.

Why You Need .NET Framework 2.0/3.5

• Many older apps depend on .NET Framework libraries.
• Windows 11 includes .NET Framework 4.x by default, but it’s not backward-compatible with 2.0 or 3.5.
• To run legacy software, you must install or enable .NET Framework 3.5, which includes 2.0 and 3.0.

Method 1: Enable .NET Framework 3.5 Using Windows Features

1. Press Win + R, type: optionalfeatures and press Enter.
2. In the Windows Features window, check:
   • .NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0)
3. Click OK.
4. Windows will download and install the required files.
5. Restart your PC if prompted.

Method 2: Install via Command Prompt or PowerShell

If the graphical method doesn’t work, try using DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management):

1. Open Command Prompt (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin).
2. Run the command: DISM /Online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:NetFx3 /All /LimitAccess /Source:D:\sources\sxs
   • Replace D: with the letter of your Windows installation media if needed.
3. Wait for the process to complete.

Method 3: Download from Microsoft

If you prefer, you can also download the installer:

• Download .NET Framework 3.5 from Microsoft

Run the setup and follow the prompts.

Final Thoughts

The error “This setup requires .NET Framework version 2.0” is common when running older software on Windows 11. The fix is simple: install or enable .NET Framework 3.5, which contains 2.0 and 3.0 support. Once installed, your legacy applications should run without issues.