Windows 10: Can't install NET Framework 3.5 with error code 0x80073701 and 0x800F0831

I am in Windows 11 trying to run a DMG file. I tried every single possible combination possible but with the unknown error 0x80073701 and 0x800F0831. Please know I am not trying to install a new version an I am in windows 11. Please help since I want the solution quickly.

:)

 

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?

 

uninstall .net framework 3.5 Error code: 0x80073701

Thank you for attempting to help me, but what I really wanted was written into the title of this problem.

uninstall .net framework 3.5 Error code: 0x80073701
As far as I can tell, the root of the problem is I can't uninstall .net framework 3.5 due to error code 0x80073701. If I can uninstall the .net framework, then reinstall it, my research shows windows update will start working.

So far, you have been trying to fix the end result rather than the cause. It is the end result I someday want, but my own work shows the .net framework 3.5 refusing to uninstall is the root of all the update and repair problems this machine has.