Fix The application has failed to start because the side-by-side configuration is incorrect

By | February 21, 2023

Fix The application has failed to start because the side-by-side configuration is incorrect: If you try to run Windows 10 programs or utilities then the following error message may appear “The application has failed to start because the side by side configuration is incorrect please see the application event log or use the command-line sxstrace.exe tool for more detail.” The issue is caused because of a conflict between the C++ run-time libraries with the application and the application is unable to load the required C++ files need for its execution. These libraries are part of the Visual Studio 2008 release and the version numbers start with 9.0.

The application has failed to start because the side-by-side configuration is incorrect error

It’s possible you may face another error before you get the error message about the side-by-side configuration which says “This file association does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Create an association in the Set Association control panel.” Most of the time these errors are caused by incompatible, corrupt or outdated C++ or C run-time libraries but sometimes you may also face this error because of corrupt System Files. In any case, let’s see how to actually fix this error with the below-listed troubleshooting guide.

Fix The application has failed to start because the side-by-side configuration is incorrect

Make sure to create a restore point just in case something goes wrong.

Method 1: Find out which Visual C++ Runtime Library is missing

1. Press Windows Key + X then select Command Prompt (Admin).

command prompt with admin rights

2. Type the following command into cmd to start trace mode and hit Enter:

SxsTrace Trace -logfile:SxsTrace.etl

start trace mode using cmd command SxsTrace Trace

3. Now don’t close the cmd, just open the application which is giving the side-by-side configuration error and click OK to close the error pop-up box.

4. Switch back to the cmd and hit Enter which will stop the tracking mode.

5. Now in order to convert the dumped trace file into human-readable form, we will need to parse this file using sxstrace tool and in order to that enter this command into cmd:

sxstrace Parse -logfile:SxSTrace.etl -outfile:SxSTrace.txt

parse this file using sxstrace tool sxstrace Parse

6. The file will be parsed and will be saved into C:\Windows\system32\ directory. Press Windows Key + R then type the following and hit Enter:

%windir%\system32\SxSTrace.txt

7. This will open the SxSTrace.txt file which will have all the information about the error.

SxSTrace.txt file

8. Find out which C++ run time library it requires and installs that particular version from the below-listed method.

Method 2: Install Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable

Your machine is missing the correct C++ runtime components and installing the Visual C++ Redistributable Package seems to Fix The application has failed to start because the side-by-side configuration is incorrect error. Install all of the below-updates one by one corresponding to your system (either 32-bit or 64-bit).

Note: Just make sure you first uninstall any of the below-listed redistributable packages in your PC and then again re-install them from the below link.

a) Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable Package (x86)

b) Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable Package for (x64)

c) Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package (x86)

d) Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package (x64)

e) Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable Packages (For both x86 and x64)

f) Visual C++ redistributable 2015 Redistribution Update 3 

Method 3: Run SFC Scan

1. Press Windows Key + X then click on Command Prompt(Admin).

command prompt with admin rights

2. Now type the following in the cmd and hit enter:

Sfc /scannow
sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c:\ /offwindir=c:\windows (If above fails)

SFC scan now command prompt

3. If SFC gives the error message “Windows Resource Protection could not start the repair service” then run the following DISM commands:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

cmd restore health system

4. Reboot your PC to save changes.

Method 4: Run Microsoft Troubleshooting Assistant

If none of the above methods seem to work for you then you need to run Microsoft Troubleshooting Assistant which will try to fix the issue for you. Just go to this link and download the file named “CSSEmerg67758”.

Run Microsoft Troubleshooting Assistant

Method 5: Try System Restore

1. Press Windows Key + R and type”sysdm.cpl” then hit enter.

system properties sysdm

2. Select the System Protection tab and choose System Restore.

system restore in system properties

3. Click Next and choose the desired System Restore point.

system-restore

4. Follow the on-screen instruction to complete system restore.

5. After reboot, you may be able to Fix GTA 4 Seculauncher has failed to start because the side-by-side configuration is incorrect error.

If system restore fails then boot your Windows into safe mode then again try to run the system restore.

Method 6: Update the .NET framework

Update your .NET framework from here. If it didn’t resolve the problem then you can update to the latest Microsoft .NET Framework version 4.6.2.

Method 7: Uninstall Windows Live Essentials

Sometimes Windows Live Essentials seems to conflict with Windows services and hence Uninstalling Windows Live Essentials from the Programs and Features seems to Fix Configuration System Failed or The application has failed to start because the side-by-side configuration is incorrect error. If you don’t want to uninstall Windows Essentials then try to repair it from the program menu.

Repair Windows Live

Method 8: Repair Install Windows 10

This method is the last resort because if nothing works out then this method will surely repair all problems with your PC. Repair Install just uses an in-place upgrade to repair issues with the system without deleting user data present on the system. So follow this article to see How to Repair Install Windows 10 Easily.

choose what to keep windows 10

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That’s it you have successfully Fix The application has failed to start because the side-by-side configuration is incorrect error but if you still have any questions regarding this guide then feel free to ask them in the comment’s section.

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16 thoughts on “Fix The application has failed to start because the side-by-side configuration is incorrect”

  4. Avatar photo
    Max

    OMG, thanks to your SXStrace logs hints, i have fixed my crashing explorer.exe. Nothing helped before, updating, repair upgrading, sfc scann, dism restore. But it appeared i should just remove explorer.exe.config file. No idea wtf happened and where this file came from.

    Reply
  5. Avatar photo
    Lisa

    Yes or just remove the program that makes this error appear and reinstall it.. instead of fucking with your index and all.. lol

    Reply
  7. Avatar photo
    windowscreen420

    Everything but my internet browsers gives me that message when I try to open them and so far none of these tasks could work because of that, any recommendations?

    Reply
  8. Avatar photo
    Jon

    Method 1 & 2 worked for me.
    On a Windows 10 64-bit the legacy application was looking for Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable Package (x86), which wasn’t Installed.
    Manually installed Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable Package (x86) and the application is now working.
    Why this wasn’t built into the vendors installation package, who knows.

    So, as for Lisa’s rather flippant remark above, the solution of remove and reinstall, does not work. Jus sayin.

    Reply
  9. Avatar photo
    Ruchira Perera

    Than you for the support. It worked for me.
    Installed Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable Package (x86). Then “application-has-failed-to-start-because-the-side-by-side-configuration-is-incorrect” error was fixed. Then got this error “the ordinal 12404 could not be located in the dynamic link library”. Then installed microsoft visual c++ 2008 feature pack redistributable package (x86) as mentioned here “https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_programs/the-ordinal-12404-could-not-be-located-in-the/f705eb2b-49b3-4d29-bfc2-798658668fe8” in the answer of “J.A.Prabahar”. It worked for me.

    Reply
  11. Avatar photo
    Freddy

    Thank you so much! This was the only one that helped, method 2 that is.
    I knew I needed and old C++ package and I installed the x64 of 2008, not the x86 one. Works as expected now.
    As for Lisa’s comment… No, it does not work because some workplaces give you software that does not have an installer. You just get the application, nothing to install, repair or uninstall.

    Reply
  13. Avatar photo
    Samuel Silver

    I ran the SxSTrace, but my error is different.
    INFO: Parsing Manifest File D:\Users\Samuel Silver\Downloads\Setup-NB-PC (1).exe.
    INFO: Manifest Definition Identity is (null).
    ERROR: Line 0: XML Syntax error.
    ERROR: Activation Context generation failed.
    End Activation Context Generation.

    This is full report:
    Begin Activation Context Generation.
    Input Parameter:
    Flags = 0
    ProcessorArchitecture = AMD64
    CultureFallBacks = en-US;en
    ManifestPath = D:\Users\Samuel Silver\Downloads\Setup-NB-PC (1).exe
    AssemblyDirectory = D:\Users\Samuel Silver\Downloads\
    Application Config File =
    —————–
    INFO: Parsing Manifest File D:\Users\Samuel Silver\Downloads\Setup-NB-PC (1).exe.
    INFO: Manifest Definition Identity is (null).
    ERROR: Line 0: XML Syntax error.
    ERROR: Activation Context generation failed.
    End Activation Context Generation.

    =================
    Begin Activation Context Generation.
    Input Parameter:
    Flags = 0
    ProcessorArchitecture = Wow32
    CultureFallBacks = en-US;en
    ManifestPath = D:\Users\Samuel Silver\Downloads\Setup-NB-PC (1).exe
    AssemblyDirectory = D:\Users\Samuel Silver\Downloads\
    Application Config File =
    —————–
    INFO: Parsing Manifest File D:\Users\Samuel Silver\Downloads\Setup-NB-PC (1).exe.
    INFO: Manifest Definition Identity is (null).
    ERROR: Line 0: XML Syntax error.
    ERROR: Activation Context generation failed.
    End Activation Context Generation.

    =================
    Begin Activation Context Generation.
    Input Parameter:
    Flags = 0
    ProcessorArchitecture = AMD64
    CultureFallBacks = en-US;en
    ManifestPath = D:\Users\Samuel Silver\Downloads\Setup-NB-PC (1).exe
    AssemblyDirectory = D:\Users\Samuel Silver\Downloads\
    Application Config File =
    —————–
    INFO: Parsing Manifest File D:\Users\Samuel Silver\Downloads\Setup-NB-PC (1).exe.
    INFO: Manifest Definition Identity is (null).
    ERROR: Line 0: XML Syntax error.
    ERROR: Activation Context generation failed.
    End Activation Context Generation.

    =================
    Begin Activation Context Generation.
    Input Parameter:
    Flags = 0
    ProcessorArchitecture = Wow32
    CultureFallBacks = en-US;en
    ManifestPath = D:\Users\Samuel Silver\Downloads\Setup-NB-PC (1).exe
    AssemblyDirectory = D:\Users\Samuel Silver\Downloads\
    Application Config File =
    —————–
    INFO: Parsing Manifest File D:\Users\Samuel Silver\Downloads\Setup-NB-PC (1).exe.
    INFO: Manifest Definition Identity is (null).
    ERROR: Line 0: XML Syntax error.
    ERROR: Activation Context generation failed.
    End Activation Context Generation.

    Reply
    1. Avatar photo
      Samuel Silver

      I meant to include my System info:
      Windows 10 Home
      Version 2004
      OS Build 19041.928
      Experience: Windows Feature Experience pack 120.2212.5510

      My Computer has a 64 bit processor.

      Reply
  15. Avatar photo
    Mazrim Taim

    Thanks for this. Method 1 did the trick.
    I couldn’t get FEAR3 to run on a fresh Win10 install, but now I can. 🙂

    Reply

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