Symptoms
Consider the following scenario:
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You have Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Express Service Pack 1 (SP1), Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Express or a later version installed on a computer that is running Windows 8.
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The computer does not have the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 installed.
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You try to perform any of the following operations:
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Uninstall SQL Server
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Repair SQL Server
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Add new features to SQL Server
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Add a new instance to SQL Server
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In this scenario, the operation fails.
Note This issue also occurs when you try to install any service packs or cumulative updates for SQL Server.
Cause
This issue occurs because the .NET Framework 3.5 is regarded incorrectly as a prerequisite for all the operations that are described in the "Symptoms" section.
Note By default, Windows 8 has the Microsoft .NET Framework 4 installed, and SQL Server 2008 Express SP1 or a later version can be installed together with the .NET Framework 4.
Resolution
Cumulative update information
Cumulative Update 8 for SQL Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 2
The fix for this issue was first released in Cumulative Update 8. For more information about how to obtain this cumulative update package for SQL Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 2, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
2871401 Cumulative update package 8 for 2008 R2 Service Pack 2Note Because the builds are cumulative, each new fix release contains all the hotfixes and all the security fixes that were included with the previous SQL Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 2 fix release. We recommend that you consider applying the most recent fix release that contains this hotfix. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
2730301 The SQL Server 2008 R2 builds that were released after SQL Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 2 was released
Cumulative Update 12 for SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 3
The fix for this issue was first released in Cumulative Update 12. For more information about how to obtain this cumulative update package for SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 3, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
2863205 Cumulative update package 12 for SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 3Note Because the builds are cumulative, each new fix release contains all the hotfixes and all the security fixes that were included with the previous SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 3 fix release. We recommend that you consider applying the most recent fix release that contains this hotfix. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
2629969 The SQL Server 2008 builds that were released after SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 3 was released
Status
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.
