How to copy and paste protected & in-use system files?


  1. Posts : 134
    Windows 7 Home Premium
       #1

    How to copy and paste protected & in-use system files?


    Question
    I would like to attempt to copy an untouched .NET 2.0 directory from a second PC here at home (identical install of Windows) but when I try there are files in use by the system and some say they can't be copied because they are protected system files.

    Is there any way that I can accomplish this, both copying the .NET 2.0 directory from another PC, and copying it in its entirety to this PC? I assume this would have to be done outside of Windows but have no idea how to do this. Can anybody help me?

    If You're Curious, This Is Why I'm Asking
    A while ago I had a mishap and some system files in the Windows directory were deleted. I was able to restore everything, or so I thought, without any issues. Windows has been operating, without issue, for well over six months now, with the exception of Microsoft Framework .NET 2.0. Any app coded for .NET 2.0 crashes when I try to start it (no error code). The registry was not affected during that fiasco so I assume all .NET 2.0 registry entries are completely intact.

    Note: I have extensively researched repairing, reinstalling, and replacing the .NET 2.0 installation. I have tried every official and unofficial tool that I could find. Unfortunately, all tools only affect .NET installations you installed to the system. Given that 2.0 is a part of Windows 7, I am unable to fix this using any normal means. If I wish to have a working .NET 2.0 I need to perform a clean install. This is the last possible thing I can try, as far as I know.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,519
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit, Windows 8.1 64-bit, Mac OS X 10.10, Linux Mint 17, Windows 10 Pro TP
       #2

    On my Win7 Ultimate and Win7 Home Premium I have .NET Framework 3.5.1 in Control Panel, Programs and Features, Turn Windows features on or off. It appears that Only 3.5.1 came with Win7.

    In Programs and Features I have .NET Framework 4.5.1.

    The downside of .NET Framework is that many programs are written to use only a specific version but they usually install that version if it is not present, there seldom seems to be any backward compatibility with a newer version.

    My thought? Try to determine which program/s need it and reinstall that or look on the disc for it.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 134
    Windows 7 Home Premium
    Thread Starter
       #3

    If you browse on over to X:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\ you'll see all the versions you have installed. I bet you'll find 1.0, 1.1, 2.0, 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0. All version of .NET, at least from 2.0 and on, are backwards compatible with previous versions. You can even force an application to use a later version of .NET to get it working (which is what I'm doing now on a per program basis).

    Reinstalling a program wouldn't do anything if you have a corrupted .NET installation. Also, looking for an original .NET 2.0 installation doesn't matter. You cannot install .NET 2.0 into Windows given that it is already a part of the OS (not to be confused with installed). It is integrated into Windows 7.

    Any chance you can help with me with my file copying issue ?
      My Computer


 

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