How to reinstall .NET Framework 4/4.6 on Windows 10?

Solution 1:

The .NET framework is a Windows Feature (as of Windows 8 or even as far back as 7) found under "Programs and Features". I have had some good success with the following procedure:

1. Disabling the feature (.NET 4 and 3.5).
2. Reboot the computer.
3. Manually force a WindowsUpdate check to make sure everything is on the latest version.
4. Re-enable the feature(s) and then run WindowsUpdate again.

Last resort measure: Install one of the Visual Studio development environments (Express edition is good enough.) This also forces a refresh of .NET.

If that doesn't fix the problems nothing else will.
Because it is an integrated feature of Windows a really broken .NET environment is basically a broken Windows installation needing a re-install of Windows.

Solution 2:

The Windows 10 Creators update includes the .net framework 4.7, so you can't reinstall it.

The software you try to install doesn't know that fact and checks the entry Version under the keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\NDP\v4\Client

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\NDP\v4\Full

for .net 4.6.

And in Creators update the version is 4.7.02046, which the tools don't support.

So fake the .net version and change the Version entry to 4.6.01586, install the tool and after setup, change the version back to 4.7.02046.