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

Microsoft .NET Framework is an infrastructure within the Microsoft Windows environment that SOLIDWORKS leverages to perform some of its functions. It is a prerequisite for SOLIDWORKS and must be installed for SOLIDWORKS to function properly. Corruption with .NET can cause saving errors and general instability within SOLIDWORKS and other Windows components and 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.

UNINSTALLING Microsoft .NET FRAMEWORK 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. Once the uninstall is complete, download the attached zip and extract the files.
4. Download the latest Microsoft .NET Framework Repair Tool here: Microsoft .NET Framework Repair Tool is available - Microsoft Support
5. Run the NetFxRepairTool.exe file.
6. Once the process is completed, restart your 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. Once done, reboot one more time.

UNINSTALLING Microsoft .NET FRAMEWORK 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 Cleanup select .NET Framework - All Versions (Windows 10) and click Clean Up Now.
6. Once the process is completed, restart your 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. Once done, reboot one more time.

Note: Windows Updates may find additional updates for .NET after the re-installation. These should be done.

Note: The latest information on the Microsoft .NET Repair tool can be found here:

Microsoft .NET Framework Repair Tool is available - Microsoft Support

For further technical support, please contact Hawk Ridge Systems at 877.266.4469 for the U.S. or 866.587.6803 for Canada and support@hawkridgesys.com.