.NET Framework Error: Please set registry key InstallRoot

When you install a program that uses .NET Framework, the following error message may appear:

.NET Framework initialization Error

Please set registry key 
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\.NETFramework\InstallRoot  to
point to the .NET Framework installation

Running the .NET Framework Repair tool or removing and reinstalling .NET Framework may not resolve the error.

Cause

The above error occurs due to the missing InstallRoot registry value in one or both of the following keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\.NETFramework
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\.NETFramework

Resolution

To fix the .NET Framework initialization Error, please create the missing values in the registry.

Option 1: Use the REG file to restore the missing values

To restore the InstallRoot registry values, download and run netfx_installroot_fix.reg (zipped)

Unzip and run the enclosed REG file.

Click Yes to confirm.

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Option 2: Create the values manually

1. Launch Regedit.exe and go to:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\.NETFramework

2. In the right pane, create a new string value (REG_SZ) named InstallRoot (if it doesn’t already exist.)
3. Set the value data of InstallRoot to C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\
4. Next, go to the following branch:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\.NETFramework

5. In the right pane, create a new string value (REG_SZ) named InstallRoot (if it doesn’t already exist.)
6. Set the value data of InstallRoot to C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\
7. Exit the Registry Editor.

Note: The 2nd location above (i.e., the WOW6432Node branch) doesn’t exist if you’re using Windows 10/11 32-bit edition. In that case, skip the 2nd location. To determine if you’re using 32-bit or 64-bit edition, see this article How to Find Your Windows 10/11 Build Number, Version, Edition and Bitness.

That should resolve the .NET Framework “InstallRoot” error.