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This document describes the best practices for removing and repairing the Microsoft .NET Framework for Windows 11 and 10.

Microsoft .NET Framework is a Windows infrastructure required by SOLIDWORKS to operate. It must be installed for SOLIDWORKS to work correctly. Corruption in .NET can cause saving errors and instability in SOLIDWORKS and other Windows applications.

Uninstalling and reinstalling .NET is a common troubleshooting step. The steps below outline the best way to fully remove it and ensure a clean installation of .NET.

Reinstalling Microsoft .NET Framework on Windows 11

1. Click on the Windows Start Button to begin a search, type "Features", and select the application "Turn Windows features on or off"
2. Find and deselect Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 and .NET Framework 4.X, and click OK
3. Download the latest Microsoft .NET Framework Repair Tool here: Microsoft .NET Framework Repair Tool is available - Microsoft Support
4. Run the NetFxRepairTool.exe file
5. Once the process is completed, restart the computer
6. After the restart, click on the Windows Start button and search for "Features" again to bring up the "Turn Windows features on or off" dialog.
7. Find and select Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 and .NET Framework 4.X, and click OK
8. Select Let Windows Update download the files for you, and let the process complete. Once done, reboot one more time.

Reinstalling Microsoft .NET Framework on Windows 10

1. Click on the Windows Start Button to begin a search, type "Features", and select the application "Turn Windows features on or off"
2. Find and deselect Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 and .NET Framework 4.X, and click OK
3. Once the uninstall is complete, download the attached zip and extract the files
4. Run the cleanup_tool.exe file included in the zip file attached to this article
5. Under Product to Clean Up, select .NET Framework - All Versions (Windows 10) and click Clean Up Now
6. Once the process is completed, restart the computer
7. After the restart, click on the Windows Start button and search for "Features" again to bring up the "Turn Windows features on or off" dialog
8. Find and select Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 and .NET Framework 4.X, and click OK
9. Select Let Windows Update download the files for you, and let the process complete 
10. Once done, restart the computer one more time

Note: Windows Updates may find additional updates for .NET after the re-installation, which should be run. The latest information on the Microsoft .NET Repair tool can be found here:

Microsoft .NET Framework Repair Tool is available - Microsoft Support

For additional support, existing customers can submit a ticket or new customers can contact Hawk Ridge Systems.