Buzz
The root cause of the 'The source could not be found' error is that the server is configured to use WSUS instead of Microsoft's Windows Update server. Since Windows needs to download the .NET Framework 3.5 installation files from the Windows Update service, this error occurs.
The steps to fix the 'The source could not be found' error when installing .NET 3.5 on Windows Server 2012 are quite simple. Just change the Group Policy settings, and you can do this through Local Group Policy without affecting other Group Policies you've set at a domain level.
Open the Group Policy Editor, then follow the path below:
Computer Configuration => Administrative Templates => System
Double-click on Specify settings for optional component installation and component repair to open it. In the window that appears on the screen, select Enable and check the box next to Contact Windows update directly to download repair content instead of Windows Server Update Service (WSUS).
Then click OK, and you have successfully fixed the 'The source could not be found' error when installing .Net 3.5 on Windows Server 2012.
Finally, give installing NET Framework 3.5 a try, and you'll find the error has been resolved.
Group Policy is a rather intricate system customization tool. If any modifications you make cause system errors within this tool, you can Reset Group Policy Editor to default to revert to the original settings.
Here, Mytour has just guided you on how to fix the 'The source could not be found' error when installing .NET 3.5 on Windows Server 2012. If you have any doubts or questions needing clarification, please leave your comments below the article. Mytour will address your inquiries as soon as possible.
