Error code 0x800F0906 enabling .NET 3.5 in Windows 8

Error Message

Some users may encounter the issue of not being able to enable the .NET 3.5 feature in Windows 8 (a requirement when installing ArcGIS for Desktop 10.1). The following error is displayed: "Windows couldn't complete the requested changes. Windows couldn't connect to the internet to download necessary files. Make sure that you're connected to the internet, and click 'Retry' to try again. Error code: 0x800F0906"Attempt to enable .NET 3.5 in Windows 81. Navigate to the Add Windows Features window: From the Windows Start Page, right-click on any open space and click on 'All apps'. Go to the Control Panel and choose 'Programs and Features' Choose 'Turn Windows features on or off' in the Programs and Features window.2. Turn on the .NET Framework 3.5 feature: The '.NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0)' option is not be selected. Click the box next to '.NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0)' and click OK. 3. Attempt to add the feature from Windows Update: Windows Features searches for required files. When given the option, choose 'Download files from Windows Update', Windows Features states that it is downloading required files 4. Windows displays the error: "Windows couldn't complete the requested changes. Windows couldn't connect to the internet to download necessary files. Make sure that you're connected to the internet, and click 'Retry'. Error code: 0x800F0906"

After clicking OK, the following dialog is displayed: "An error has occurred. Not all of the features were successfully changed."

Cause

Windows 8 is not able to connect to the Windows servers to download and install .NET 3.5 content.

Solution or Workaround

1. Insert the Windows 8 Installation Disk and note the drive. Check for the folders /source/sxs.
2. Run a Command Prompt as Administrator.
   
   a) From the Windows Start Page, right-click any open space and click 'All apps'.
   b) Find Command Prompt, right-click the application, and choose 'Run as administrator'.
   c) If the User Account Control prompt appears, choose Yes.
3. Use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool to install .NET 3.5
   
   Type the following command in the Command Prompt window and hit Enter:
   
   

   Code:
   Dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFx3 /All /Source:"Path to installation media":\sources\sxs /LimitAccess

   
   
   For example, if the 'Path to installation media' is drive D: the code would look like the following:
   
   

   Code:
   Dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFx3 /All /Source:D:\sources\sxs /LimitAccess