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How to fix catastrophic failure 0x8000FFFF error .NET Framework 3.5 Microsoft XPS Document Writer Installation on Windows 11

By: Author Alex Lim

Posted on

Categories Troubleshooting

The dreaded “Error Code: 0x8000FFFF catastrophic failure” can be a real headache when trying to install .NET Framework 3.5 and Microsoft XPS Document Writer on Windows 11. But don’t worry, we’ve got your back with some effective solutions to overcome this hurdle.

How to fix catastrophic failure 0x8000FFFF error .NET Framework 3.5 Microsoft XPS Document Writer Installation on Windows 11

First, let’s try the built-in Windows features:

  1. Open the Start menu and search for “Turn Windows features on or off“.
  2. Locate “.NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0)” and check the box. Locate ".NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0)" and check the box.
  3. Click “OK” and wait for the installation to complete.

If that doesn’t work, you can use the DISM command:

  1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
  2. Run: DISM /Online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:NetFx3 /All /LimitAccess /Source:E:\sources\sxs
    (Replace “E:” with the drive letter of your Windows installation media)

Still facing issues? Try downloading the offline installer:

  1. Download the .NET Framework 3.5 offline installer from Microsoft’s website
  2. Run the installer and follow the prompts

For Microsoft XPS Document Writer:

  1. Open the Start menu and search for “Manage optional features“.
  2. Click “Add a feature“. Click "Add a feature".
  3. Locate “Microsoft XPS Document Writer” and click “Install“.

If these solutions don’t resolve the problem, consider performing a clean boot or repairing your Windows installation.

Remember, patience is key when dealing with these installation issues. Stay calm, follow the steps carefully, and you’ll have .NET Framework 3.5 and Microsoft XPS Document Writer up and running in no time.