Error when you install or remove .NET Framework: You must enable rollback to continue with setup

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This article helps you fix an error (You must enable rollback to continue with setup) when you install or remove the Microsoft .NET Framework.

Original product version:   .NET Framework
Original KB number:   312499

Symptoms

When you install or remove the .NET Framework, you might receive the following error message:

You must enable rollback to continue with setup.

Cause

This error occurs because the rollback feature of the Microsoft Windows Installer is disabled. The .NET Framework Setup program requires commit custom actions for proper installation. Rollback and commit custom actions don't run when rollback is disabled.

Rollback is disabled in the DisableRollback policy in the registry. The DisableRollback policy value may have been set by an administrator. Microsoft recommends that administrators don't disable rollback unless it's necessary.

Resolution

Important

This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. So make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information, visit How to back up and restore the registry in Windows.

There are two places in the registry where the DisableRollback policy value can be set. To resolve this problem, you must find out where the DisableRollback policy was set and remove or disable the setting.

To find out whether this property exists in your registry, run C:\Regedit.exe and check the following locations:

  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Installer\DisableRollback

  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Installer\DisableRollback

If the DisableRollback key exists and has a value of 1, delete the key or set the value of the key to 0. (You can also set DisableRollback through command-line instructions.) Microsoft recommends that administrators and developers not set this property if they use command-line instructions to run Setup, or Setup won't work.

Status

This behavior is by design.

More information

For more information about the DisableRollback policy value, visit Machine Policies