Add information about changes to Win11 and 3.5 #51430
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richlander
reviewed
Feb 3, 2026
richlander
reviewed
Feb 3, 2026
richlander
reviewed
Feb 3, 2026
richlander
reviewed
Feb 3, 2026
richlander
reviewed
Feb 3, 2026
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Pull request overview
Add documentation updates for the Windows 11 change where .NET Framework 3.5 is removed as a Windows optional component (in Insider builds), and introduce guidance and FAQ content for the standalone installer path.
Changes:
- Add new Windows 11-specific install article and a dedicated FAQ for .NET Framework 3.5.
- Update existing .NET Framework 3.5 install guidance to reference Windows 11 Insider build behavior and installer-based flow.
- Update the .NET Framework TOC to surface the new Windows 11 content.
Reviewed changes
Copilot reviewed 9 out of 9 changed files in this pull request and generated 9 comments.
Show a summary per file
| File | Description |
|---|---|
docs/framework/toc.yml |
Splits the .NET Framework 3.5 nav entry into Windows 11, FAQ, and “other Windows,” and tweaks a migration TOC label. |
docs/framework/install/on-windows-and-server.md |
Adds an include callout noting the Windows 11 Insider change for .NET Framework 3.5 acquisition. |
docs/framework/install/dotnet-35-windows.md |
Adds guidance callouts and references to the Windows 11 installer/FAQ, and expands developer-facing notes. |
docs/framework/install/dotnet-35-windows-11.md |
New Windows 11-specific article covering version detection and the Insider-build installer approach. |
docs/framework/install/dotnet-35-windows-11-faq.yml |
New FAQ covering availability, deployment constraints, migration guidance, and troubleshooting. |
docs/framework/install/guide-for-developers.md |
Updates ms.date. |
docs/framework/install/includes/dotnet-35-installer.md |
New include describing the standalone installer availability for Windows 11 Insider builds. |
docs/framework/install/includes/dotnet-35-find-update.md |
New include encouraging readers to find updated software before installing .NET Framework 3.5. |
docs/framework/install/includes/dotnet-35-windows-11-caution-version.md |
New include cautioning Windows 11 Insider users to follow the Windows 11-specific guidance. |
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| [!INCLUDE [dotnet-35-installer](includes/dotnet-35-installer.md)] | ||
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| For more information about this change to .NET Framework 3.5, see [.NET Framework 3.5 on Windows 11 FAQ](../dotnet-35-windows-11-faq.yml). |
There was a problem hiding this comment.
The link to the FAQ uses ../dotnet-35-windows-11-faq.yml, but the FAQ file is in the same directory as this article. This relative path likely breaks the link. Update it to point to the correct relative location.
Suggested change
| For more information about this change to .NET Framework 3.5, see [.NET Framework 3.5 on Windows 11 FAQ](../dotnet-35-windows-11-faq.yml). | |
| For more information about this change to .NET Framework 3.5, see [.NET Framework 3.5 on Windows 11 FAQ](dotnet-35-windows-11-faq.yml). |
Co-authored-by: Copilot <[email protected]>
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Summary
Future releases of Windows 11 (actually it started in a previous insiders build) are removing .NET Framework 3.5 from the Operating System. A standalone installer for Windows 11 is provided.
Once this change is applied to the non-insiders release, these articles will include download and installation instructions.
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