Preparing the OS > Installing the Prerequisites

Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5

.NET 3.5 SP1 is a requirement for installation of Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Express Advanced SP2. If your SQL server is on-box; follow the steps to install .NET 3.5 on Windows Server 2012 R2.

Note: .NET Framework 3.5 is not part of Windows Server 2012 R2. Hence while trying to install it from the Server Manager UI, you will be asked to specify alternate source path of the installation files.

Start command prompt in administrative mode and enter this:

dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFX3 /all /Source:d:\sources\sxs /LimitAccess

Note: Source should be Windows installation disk. In this case located on D:

Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5

Fully update the Windows Server 2012 R2, as this will add .NET 4.5 which includes .NET 4.0