WSUS and Windows 8/Windows 8.1 .NET Framework 3.5 installation from Windows Update

Nov 04
2013

This weekend, I have installed an SBS 2011 server that comes with WSUS for all domain PCs.

Unfortunately, after adding two Windows 8.1 PCs to the domain, they needed the .NET Framework 3.5 – not installed on Windows 8.x, but available as optional feature in the control panel (Programs and Features). This “feature” is installed through Windows Update, and not from the installation media.

With WSUS, this is not possible, and also the installation of printer drivers through Windows failed (HP does not delivers drivers for its OfficeJet K5400 printer, available only through Windows Update), and gave error 0x800F0906.

After a bit of searching, I found this article:

support.microsoft.com/kb/2734782

referring to exactly my problem.

Using the group policy editor (gpedit.msc) to modify the Administrative Templates, System, “Specify settings for optional component installation and component repair” to “Enabled” and checking the box “Contact Windows Update directly to download repair content instead of Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)”, followed by a gpupdate /force in an administrative command prompt, solved the problem.

So I would recommend to anyone in such an environment to change this setting in every Windows 8.x machine that is integrated in the domain.