Installing on Windows Server 2012 R2 often fails because the source files aren't kept on the local disk to save space. The standard way to fix this is by using the microsoft-windows-netfx3-ondemand-package.cab file, which is found in the \sources\sxs folder of the original Windows Server 2012 R2 installation media. Option 1: The Quick Command Line Fix
Open (or an elevated Command Prompt) and run: Mount the Windows Server 2012 R2 ISO (e
D:).: After installation, the source media can be unmounted; the feature remains active in the local component store. Conclusion Cleanup : After installation, the source media can
Use a CAB copied to a share (example): DISM /Online /Add-Package /PackagePath:\fileserver\packages\Microsoft-Windows-NetFx3-OnDemand-Package.cab rather than pre-installing them.
While Windows Server 2012 R2 is a legacy operating system, .NET 3.5 remains a critical dependency for many enterprise applications. Utilizing the microsoft-windows-netfx3-ondemand-package.cab via DISM remains the "Gold Standard" for ensuring a clean, offline installation on new server deployments.
microsoft-windows-netfx3-ondemand-package.cab