How to Fix Windows 10 Error 0X800f081f [Solved]

If you recently encountered Windows 10 error 0X800f081f, you probably tried to install the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5. There’s a whole of bunch applications that can’t run on Windows 10 without the framework installed, so, it’s understandable that you want the bug fixed ASAP.

What Causes Error 0X800f081f on Windows 10?

Error 0X800f081f usually occurs when Windows 10 can’t retrieve information necessary to install or enable the .NET Framework 3.5 on your PC. You may encounter the bug when trying to install the framework via an installation wizard or the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool.

When you’re using an alternative source to install the framework, the error my rear its ugly head in the following scenarios:

1. The location that the path indicates doesn’t contain the files that Windows requires to install the framework
2. You don’t have the permission to access the location or to read the required binaries and other files. Read access is usually the underlying cause when you’re not the device’s original user. Somebody may have configured a group policy on the device with certain access restrictions.
3. Your installation media has corrupted or defective files. You may also counter the issue if you have the wrong files for the Windows 10 version installed on your computer.

To fix Windows 10 error 0X800f081f, you have to use the correct full path of the source and ensure that you have the privileges required to access it. It’s the only way to ascertain that all the data associated with the .NET Framework (including binaries) is available when you enable the feature.

Try one of the methods below to fix error code 0X800f081f when installing the .NET Framework on Windows 10.

1.     Reconfigure Windows 10 Group Policy Setting to Fix Error 0X800f081f

How your PC is configured to install Windows updates or servicing files may affect your ability to download and install the .NET Framework 3.5. The Group Policy is where admins apply such settings, so you need to head on over there and make the necessary changes.

The objective is to configure your PC to use the Windows Update feature instead of Windows Server Update (WSUS) when installing the framework.

Do the following to make the necessary Group Policy setting changes:

1. Copy and paste gpedit.msc into Windows Search and hit Enter to launch the Local Group Policy Editor
2. Follow this path: Computer Configuration> Administrative Templates> System
3. On the right side of the screen, locate and double-click on Specify settings for optional component installation and component repair setting
4. Select the Enabled option button
5. Click Ok

You may also point Windows 10 to an alternative source of the .NET Framework installation files. Do the following to make that Local Group Policy setting change:

1. Replicate the above steps (1-4) but skip 5 (don’t click Ok)
2. Under the “Options” section, type the path of the source file in the Alternate source file path textbox
3. If need be, tick the Contact Windows Update directly to download repair content instead of Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) With this option on, Windows 10 will use the Windows Update service to download and install any missing .NET Framework binaries or other files.
4. Click Ok
5. For immediate activation of the Group Policy setting, run the command prompt as admin, type gpupdate/force, and hit Enter

The above Local Group Policy configurations should fix the 0X800f081f error on Windows 10. You may then reinstall the Microsoft .NET Framework without glitches.

2.     Fix Windows 10 Error 0X800f081f With a DISM Scan

You may use a DISM command to activate the .NET Framework on your PC and avoid the troublesome 0X800f081f bug.

But you need to create a Windows 10 ISO file before proceeding. Keep in mind that the image must be of the same Windows 10 version on your PC. Otherwise, you’ll still get an error, which beats the entire purpose of this remedy.

You may use the Microsoft Media Creation Tool to make the ISO image.

With the following easy steps, you can enable the framework on your Windows machine:

1. Go to File Explorer
2. Double-click on the ISO to mount it on a virtual drive. Alternatively, right click on the image and select Mount. You may have to select a preferred drive to load the file if your PC has multiple available virtual drives.
3. Note the label (or letter) of the drive with the ISO (e.g. L, G, F)
4. Launch the Command Prompt by typing “CMD” in Windows Search, right-clicking on the “Command Prompt” search result, and choosing Run as administrator Type the following command line ism /online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFx3 /All /Source:[G]:\sources\sxs /LimitAccess
5. Replace G with the name of the virtual drive with the Windows 10 ISO image. Be sure not to change any of the spacing as you edit the command.
6. Press Enter

Completing the above steps should enable the .NET Framework on your PC without any glitches. You’ll get an 0X800f081f error, though, if the path you provided is wrong. For example, typing the wrong drive letter will result in Windows 10 failure to locate the necessary installation files.

Also, be sure the image and the installation media are in perfect working order. Any defects in these can trigger an error and prevent you from enabling the framework.   

3.     Reinstall .NET Framework 3.5 to Fix Windows 10 Error 0X800f081f

If neither of the above solutions works, you may want to reinstall the .NET Framework on your machine. Try this method if the 0X800f081f bug persists even after you’ve turned on the framework through Windows Features.

You’re going for a fresh install, so you may want to disable any more recent version of the framework before reinstalling .NET 3.5. 

To get rid of Windows 10 Error 0X800f081f by reinstalling the .NET Framework 3.5, follow these steps:

1. “Type program and features” in Windows Search and hit Enter
2. In the “Programs and Features” Windows, click Turn Windows features on or off
3. Disable the latest installed version of the .NET Framework (for example, .NET 4.6), by deselecting it
4. Click OK
5. After removing the latest version of the tool installed on your PC, check the box next to .NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0) to enable the framework
6. Clock OK
7. Follow the on-screen prompts to install .NET 3.5 on your PC

Windows Update will download and install the framework when you complete these steps. If the tool works alright this time around, you may enable the other .NET version in Windows Features.

There you have it! You can fix Windows 10 error 0X800f081f by changing your Local Group Policy setting, performing a DISM install, or re-installing the Microsoft .NET 3.5 Framework.

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