Cannot add feature of .Net Framwork 3.5 to my Windows Server 2022. Error: 0x80073701

Question

Hello guys!

I may need some help after endless googling for couple days.

I just couldn't fix the error when adding a new feature of .Net Framework 3.5 to my VM as follows:

The features trying to add:

.NET Framework 3.5

This virtual machine is a domain controller, and the OS version is:

Windows Server 2022 Standard 21H2 20348.1906

Error message:

The request to add or remove features on the specified server failed.

Installation of one or more roles, role services, or features failed.

The referenced assembly could not be found. Error: 0x80073701.

I've done the following measures but all without any luck:

1. DISM /ONLINE /CLEANUP-IMAGE /SCANHEALTH
2. DISM /ONLINE /CLEANUP-IMAGE /CHECKHEALTH
3. DISM /ONLINE /CLEANUP-IMAGE /RESTOREHEALTH
4. Sfc /Scannow
5. I've tried mounting ISO and specify alternative sources when adding features

This post may resolve the problem, but I couldn't identify which package to download via the CBS log. https://thatonecomputerguy.wordpress.com/2015/10/06/windows-update-fails-with-error-code-0x80073701-error_sxs_assembly_missing-solved/

The output of DISM /Online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:NetFx3 /All:

C:>DISM /Online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:NetFx3 /All

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool

Version: 10.0.20348.681

Image Version: 10.0.20348.1906

Enabling feature(s) [==========================100.0%==========================]

Error: 14081

The referenced assembly could not be found.

CBS Log from trying to add features from Manage / Add Roles and Features :

2023-08-31 06:19:38, Info CBS Reporting package change completion for package: Microsoft-Windows-NetFx3-Server-OC-Package~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~10.0.20348.1, current: Installed, original: Installed, target: Installed, status: 0x80073701, failure source: Resolve, failure details: "(null)", client id: DISM Package Manager Provider, initiated offline: False, execution sequence: 78, first merged sequence: 78, pending decision: InteractiveInstallFailed, primitive execution context: Interactive

2023-08-31 06:19:38, Info CBS The store corruption status report is incomplete. [HRESULT = 0x80070002 - ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND]

2023-08-31 06:19:38, Info CBS Resolve time performance datapoint is invalid. [HRESULT = 0x80070490 - ERROR_NOT_FOUND]

2023-08-31 06:19:38, Info CBS Stage time performance datapoint is invalid. [HRESULT = 0x80070490 - ERROR_NOT_FOUND]

2023-08-31 06:19:38, Info CBS Execute time performance datapoint is invalid. [HRESULT = 0x80070490 - ERROR_NOT_FOUND]

2023-08-31 06:19:38, Info CBS FinalCommitPackagesState: Completed persisting state of packages

2023-08-31 06:19:38, Info CBS Enabling LKG boot option

2023-08-31 06:19:38, Info CBS Exec: Will not run corruption repair because no store corruption found.

2023-08-31 06:19:38, Info CBS Exec: Processing complete. Session: 31054861_3083983636, Package: Microsoft-Windows-Foundation-Package~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~10.0.20348.1, Identifier: Windows Foundation [HRESULT = 0x80073701 - ERROR_SXS_ASSEMBLY_MISSING]

2023-08-31 06:19:38, Info CBS Reporting capability session finalize status: 0x80073701, client id: DISM Package Manager Provider, reboot count: 0, capabilities: NetFX3~, state: Installed, ID: 31054861_3083983636, RetryID: (null), retryStatus: 0, torn state reservicing: 0x80004001, download source: 10

2023-08-31 06:19:38, Info CBS Removing the pending hard reserve adjustment for Client: DISM Package Manager Provider, Session: 31054861_3083983636

2023-08-31 06:19:38, Error CBS Failed to perform operation. [HRESULT = 0x80073701 - ERROR_SXS_ASSEMBLY_MISSING]

2023-08-31 06:19:38, Info CBS Session: 31054861_3083983636 finalized. Reboot required: no [HRESULT = 0x80073701 - ERROR_SXS_ASSEMBLY_MISSING]

2023-08-31 06:19:38, Info CBS Failed to FinalizeEx using worker session [HRESULT = 0x80073701]

========================

Thanks!

Regards,

Sean

Answer 1

I wouldn't spend any time trying to fix a this especially on a domain controller. Simplest solution is to stand up a new one for replacement.

I'd use dcdiag / repadmin tools to verify health correcting all errors found before starting any operations. Then stand up the new 2022, patch it fully, license it, join existing domain, add active directory domain services, promote it also making it a GC (recommended), transfer FSMO roles over (optional), transfer pdc emulator role (optional), use dcdiag / repadmin tools to again verify health, when all is good you can decommission / demote old one.

--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

Answer 2

0x80073701 = ERROR_SXS_ASSEMBLY_MISSING which means there are some system files are missing, which caused the update installation failure. You can also try a repair install by running setup.exe from the root of the install.

I wouldn't hold much hope for this, time may be better spent standing up a new one, patch fully, migrate the roles or applications over and move on.

--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

Answer 3

When running the Add Feature wizard, on the bottom of the Confirmation screen should be an option to specify an alternate source path.
Insert your install media and select the \Sources\SxS folder there.