ASP.NET 2.0 and 3.5 not working after you uninstall ASP.NET 4.5 in Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012

This article helps you resolve the problem where uninstalling ASP.NET 4.5 from Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012 causes ASP.NET 2.0 and ASP.NET 3.5 not working.

Original product version:   Windows Server 2012, Hyper-V Server 2012, .NET Framework 4.5
Original KB number:   2748719

Symptoms

ASP.NET 2.0 and ASP.NET 3.5 require the ASP.NET 4.5 feature to be enabled on a computer that is running Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012. If you remove or disable ASP.NET 4.5, then all ASP.NET 2.0 and ASP.NET 3.5 applications on the computer will not run.

Resolution

To enable the ASP.NET 4.5 feature in Windows 8 or 8.1, follow these steps:

  1. Press the Windows logo key, type control panel, and then click the Control Panel icon.

    Note

    If you are not using a keyboard, swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Search, type control panel in the search box, and then tap the displayed Control Panel icon.

  2. Click Programs, and then click Turn Windows features on or off.

  3. Expand .NET Framework 4.5 Advanced Services.

  4. Select the ASP.NET 4.5 check box.

  5. Click OK.

More information

For more information about how to enable the ASP.NET 4.5 feature on Windows Server 2012, see IIS 8.0 using ASP.NET 3.5 and ASP.NET 4.5.