[XxDangerxX]

Hi there,

Windows Update is telling me to install .NET framework. I try to install and it fails so every time I want to shut down or restart there's this annoying option, "Install updates and shut down" which will never, ever go away.

After some brief research, I got the idea that my .NET Framework 1.0 is stopping 1.1 being installed so I open up Add/Remove Programs and - hold on!

Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 is already installed!

...along with Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 Hotfix (KB928366)
Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 Service Pack 2
Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 Service Pack 2
Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1

Why the hell is Windows Update asking me to install 1.1 with all that there??

And more importantly, how can I make it STOP?!

Any help would be greatly appreciated. :-)

-Zeke

[stantley]

Turn off Windows Automatic Updates, then just go to the Windows Update site every couple of weeks, do a custom update and choose which ones to download.

You should install the security patches and high priority items, but Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 falls under "Optional Software".

[XxDangerxX]

I'll consider that but I don't think I can trust myself to remember to update manually. If there's a way to fix it rather than hide it, that would be preferable. Is there any other way?

[stantley]

You could uninstall .NET Framework 1.1 and anything else related to .NET Framework 1, reboot the PC and then have Windows Update try and install it again.

Leave the other versions of .NET Framework alone.

[raybro]

I went round and round on .NET Framework related downloads a while back, so for what its worth, here is what I leaned during that process.

The practical value of the .NET Framework installation is one must have it in order to use some programs, mostly utilities (which I do a lot of). Beyond that, i agree with stantley position it falls into the optional category.

To get rid of the ongoing reminders, do the following.

1. Temporarily turn Automatic Updates off.

2. Go to the Windows Update site and after validation and all that stuff M$ does, click the "Custom" button.

When the scan is finished, see if the .NET Framework update is listed. If it is, uncheck it then click the + box to expand the narrative.

3. At the bottom of the narrative will be a another check box for "Hide this Update" (or something like that). Check that box.

4. Next, up near the top of the page, click "Review and Install Updates".

The same page will come up again minus the .NET Framework update. If there are other updates you wish to install, clcik the "Install updates". If not close the browser.

Now open Windows Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows/Software Distribution. In that folder, right-click "Downloads" and select "Rename". Change it to "Downloads.old" (no quotes). Reboot your computer. Windows will create a new downloads folder on reboot. This process will get rid of the install prompt and the previous action of hiding the update will prevent it from occurring again.

A suggestion... Set Automatic Update to "Notify me but do not download or install them". This way, when an update is released, you can go to the update site and decide if you want the update(s) and hide the ones you do not need/want.

BTW... Attached is a screen shot of my Add/Remove Programs list showing my .NET Framework installations. I noted I do NOT have the Hot Fix KB928366 you have installed, nor have I ever been notified it was needed. Don't know if that is related to what you have going on, but thought I'd mention it.

Raybro

[XxDangerxX]

Thanks guys! I'm going to first try to uninstall all .NET 1.1 stuff I currently have installed and get Windows Update to try again. That's preferred as it'll give me closure on the issue. If that doesn't work, I shall proceed to raybro's steps.

For the record, my level of experience with Windows is exceptionally high (using it since I was 2 - 18 years ago) so don't feel like you have to use beginner language and phrasing with me :-)

[XxDangerxX]

I'm having trouble uninstalling the hotfix. The uninstaller eventually gives me this error: "The feature you are trying to use is on a network resource that is unavailable." ...and prompts me to locate the package "netfx.msi" (no doubt the first in a line of many packages). The file path text box points to %homepath%\LOCALS~1\Temp\IXP000.TMP\ by default - a folder which has no files in it.

Any ideas?