Repairing Microsoft .NET Framework

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

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

Uninstalling and re-installing .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

1. Click on the Windows Start Button to begin a search and 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.
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.

For legacy Windows 7 users, please refer to the instructions in the following video:

https://youtu.be/iyGl0a231QI