How to Install .Net Framework 2.0 on Windows Server Platforms

This article describes several different ways to install the .NET framework v2.0 on various Windows Server and PC platforms.

BackupChain requires either the .Net Framework 2.0 SP2 or the .Net Framework 4.0 or later to work. If you have Windows 10, 8, or 7 and Windows Server 2019-2012 there is no need to install a .Net upgrade. The only OS versions that might require a .Net installation are: Windows XP, Vista, or core installations of Windows Server where .Net was omitted intentionally. Hyper-V Servers 2019 and 2016 already have the .Net framework installed.

Windows Server 2025 – 2012 / R2 via the Server Manager

Open the Server Manager and click add features. Add the feature ‘.NET v3.5’, which includes .Net v2.0. If the domain policy restricts it use the second DISM command listed in the section below:

Windows 10, Windows Server 2019 – 2012 / R2 via the Command Line

Start the command prompt as administrator (you must right-click ‘run as administrator’ even if logged on as administrator) and enter the commands:

DISM /Online /Enable-Feature:NetFx3 /All
or:
Dism /online /enable-feature:NetFX3 /All /Source:X:\sources\sxs

The first command downloads the .Net v3.5 package from Microsoft and it also contains  .Net v2.0.

The latter command uses the Windows installation CD as a source, where drive letter X: points to the DVD. On some systems the download doesn’t work due to policy restrictions. On such systems you could use the /source switch to force DISM to use the Windows CD instead.

.NET Framework 2.0 Installation on Windows 10 / 8 and Windows Server 2016 / 2012 with User Interface

On Windows 10 or 8 and Windows Server 2016 / 2012 you need to install the .NET framework 3.5 which includes .Net 2.0 via the Programs & Features menu of Windows. To install, hold the Windows key on your keyboard and press X, then choose Programs and Features. Then select “Turn Windows features on or off” and continue to Features until you see .NET Framework 3.5 listed. Check and continue installation.

Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 / R2

On Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 and Window Server 2008 R2 no installation is necessary as .NET framework v2.0 is already pre-installed by Windows.

Server Core Windows Server 2008 / R2 or Windows Server 2012 / R2

On Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2012 / R2 Server Core installations use:

start /w ocsetup NetFx2-ServerCore

start /w ocsetup NetFx2-ServerCore-WOW64

If the above commands don’t work on your Core Installation version, use these instead:

DISM.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFx2-ServerCore

DISM.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFx2-ServerCore-WOW64

How to Start BackupChain on a Server Core Installation

The BackupChain monitor starts automatically after you install BackupChain. In order to access the BackupChain monitor application again after closing it, use this command at the command prompt:

C:\Program Files\FastNeuron Inc\BackupChain\BackupChain.exe

The BackupChain monitor offers a full graphical user interface on Server Core.

Welcome to BackupChain, the Server Backup Software for IT Professionals!

BackupChain, our Server 2016 backup software specifically made for IT professionals does much more than just network backup. BackupChain offers “lock-in”-free backups that use open standard file formats so your backups can be used without specialized software. In addition, BackupChain offers deduplication when you use cloud backup, Hyper-V backup, VMware backup, Exchange server backup, and file share backup. In addition to being a Windows Server backup solution, BackupChain also includes the tools you need to set up your own cloud storage server on all versions of Windows from XP to Windows 10, from Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2016.