Office install fails, Error 1935 (corrupt .NET), can't uninstall or repair .NET

​XPS 15 / Win 8.1​

​On the MS support site, the kb item for this error says that it is due to a missing or corrupt .NET 4.5 installation (built into Win 8), remove/reinstall or repair it. If I try to install .NET 4.5, it says it is already installed. However, if I go to Control Panel / Programs and Features, there is no entry for .NET in the installed applications. If I select Turn Windows Features On or Off, the usual Windows features dialog opens up, says please wait, but then comes up ​​completely blank​​! I ran the .NET repair tool, it did something but the Office install continues to fail with the same error.​

​I am at a complete roadblock- can't install Office until I repair .NET 4.5. I can't reinstall .NET, but I also can't uninstall or repair it. And my Windows features dialog comes up blank.​

​Help will be greatly appreciated!​

​Cheers,​
​Paul​