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30 May 2023  Ashley S. Miller  Specialist of Customer Service Dept.
Last update by William Davis at 10 September 2026

Summary
This article is a complete technical guide to fixing the “Side-by-Side Configuration Is Incorrect” error in Windows 10/11 by tackling root causes such as missing Visual C++ redistributables and corrupted system files. The solutions covered include step-by-step instructions for using System File Checker, DISM, Event Viewer, and app reinstallation to restore proper runtime functionality.



Table of contents

table iconWhat this error means (and how to choose the right fix)
table iconRecover lost files after repair or reset (Renee Undeleter)
table iconFix “Side‑by‑Side configuration is incorrect” — step by step
table iconHow to prevent this error from returning
table iconFAQ
If you’re seeing the message “This application has failed to start because its side-by-side configuration is incorrect” in Windows 10 or Windows 11, it’s usually caused by problems with Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables, damaged app files, or corrupted Windows system files.
Updated for 2026: The solutions below also apply to most cases in Windows 11.
How to fix the “Side-by-Side Configuration Is Incorrect” error

What this error means (and how to choose the right fix)

A side-by-side error means Windows can’t load the runtime files an app needs to start. In most cases, the cause is one of the following:
🔧 a missing Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable
🧩 a corrupted Visual C++ installation
⚙️ an x86/x64 architecture mismatch
📦 a damaged application installation
🗂️ corrupted Windows system files
Here’s how to quickly figure out which fix to try first:
Scenario Recommended Action

Only one application is affected

Repair or reinstall that app, then install the required Visual C++ Redistributable packages.

Multiple applications are affected

Begin with Step 1 and Step 2, as the issue is likely related to the system rather than a single app.

Error occurs after a Windows update or failed installation

Run SFC and DISM first to fix system file corruption, then repair or reinstall Visual C++ Redistributables.

Unsure which Visual C++ version is missing

Use Event Viewer and the sxstrace tool (Step 3) to identify the missing or corrupted Visual C++ component.

In most cases, repairing or reinstalling the Visual C++ runtime is the key to fixing the “Side-by-Side Configuration Is Incorrect” error in Windows 10.

Recover lost files after repair or reset (Renee Undeleter)

If fixing the side-by-side configuration is incorrect Windows 10 error required you to reinstall an app, reset Windows, or perform a repair and you’ve noticed missing files, you can use Renee Undeleter to attempt recovery.

When to use it

Use Renee Undeleter only if files disappeared after a reinstall, repair, reset, or cleanup. Stop using the affected drive immediately, as new data may overwrite deleted files. Ideally, have another drive or partition ready to save the recovered files.
Renee Undeleter can often recover deleted or lost files, but it can’t guarantee 100% recovery. If the original data has already been overwritten, recovery may not be possible.

How to recover with Renee Undeleter (3 steps)

Renee Undeleter is a data recovery tool designed to help you find deleted or lost files after app reinstalls, system repairs, or resets. For simple file loss, start with Fast Partition Scan. If your files aren’t found quickly, try a Deep Scan for a more thorough search.
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Do not install Renee Undeleter on that same drive.

Steps:

1. Download Renee Undeleter first
2. Select the disk or partition where the files were lost.
How to recover photos from an SD card: select the Fast Partition Scan function in Renee Undeleter.
3. Scan the drive. Start with Fast Partition Scan. If your files aren’t found, switch to Deep Scan.
scan disk with Renee Undeleter
4. Preview and recover the files, saving them to a different drive.
recover files with Renee Undeleter
If your files are safe, you can continue with the troubleshooting steps below.

Fix “Side‑by‑Side configuration is incorrect” — step by step

Follow these steps in order. This approach covers the most common causes of the “side-by-side configuration is incorrect” error, including issues with Visual C++ packages, Windows system files, and app-specific problems.

Step 1: Reinstall or repair Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables (x86 and x64)

The most common cause of the “Side-by-Side Configuration Is Incorrect” error in Windows 10 is a missing or damaged Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable. Many programs need specific runtime versions. Even on a 64-bit system, you’ll often need both x86 and x64 packages, because 32-bit apps still rely on x86 files.

Key points:

- Install both x86 and x64 versions when available
- Try Repair first if the package is already installed
- Add missing versions as needed
- Common versions are 2005, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2015–2022
- Don’t uninstall old versions at random—older apps may still need them
Microsoft official download page: Latest supported Visual C++ Redistributable downloads
Pros:
  • Most common fix for SxS errors
  • Directly targets missing runtime files
  • Safe when using Microsoft official packages

Cons:

  • May require installing several versions
  • Can take time to test the needed package
  • Some app-specific issues may still remain

How to do it

1. Right-click Start and select Apps & Features or Installed apps.
2. Find all entries named Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable.
Apps & Features, Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable
3. If a needed version is present, select it and choose Modify or Repair if available.
4. If a version is missing, download it from Microsoft and install it.
5. On 64-bit systems, install both x64 and x86 packages.
6. Restart your computer and test the app again.
If only one app is failing, you can start with this step and then go to Step 4. If multiple apps are affected, continue to Step 2:

Step 2: Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM to repair Windows files

Corrupted Windows system files can cause apps to fail with SxS or WinSxS-related errors. SFC scans and repairs protected system files, while DISM can fix deeper issues with the Windows image.
Pros:
  • Repairs Windows system corruption
  • Built into Windows
  • Useful after failed updates or shutdowns

Cons:

  • Scans may take time
  • May not fix app-specific problems alone
  • Requires administrator access

How to do it

1. Type cmd in Windows search.
2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
Windows 11, run cmd as administrator
3. Enter the following command:

sfc /scannow

Type SFC /scannow
4. Wait for the scan to finish.
5. Next, run:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

6. Then run:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Enter dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
7. Restart your PC and try the app again.
If SFC or DISM reports that files were repaired, check whether your program works now before moving on.

Step 3: Check Event Viewer and run sxstrace to identify missing assemblies

If the first two solutions don’t fix the problem, you’ll need to identify the exact missing component.
Open Event Viewer and navigate to:
Event Viewer > Windows Logs > Application
Event Viewer > Windows Logs > Application
Look for errors where the Source is SideBySide. Open the error and check for:
- the missing assembly name
- processor architecture, such as x86 or amd64
- version number
- referenced runtime package
For example, if the log mentions a missing Microsoft.VC90.CRT assembly, you’ll likely need Visual C++ 2008. If it specifies x86, install the x86 package—even on a 64-bit PC.
Assembly Name (Microsoft.VCXXXX) Corresponding Visual C++ Version Notes

Microsoft.VC80

Visual C++ 2005

Required by older legacy applications.

Microsoft.VC90

Visual C++ 2008

Example: Microsoft.VC90.CRT → install VC++ 2008.

Microsoft.VC100

Visual C++ 2010

Common in older.NET and Win32 apps.

Microsoft.VC110

Visual C++ 2012

Often needed by mid‑generation Windows apps.

Microsoft.VC120

Visual C++ 2013

Frequently used by applications from the 2013–2015 era.

Microsoft.VC140

Visual C++ 2015

Part of the unified runtime (2015–2022).

Microsoft.VC141

Visual C++ 2017

Shares runtime with VC++ 2015–2022.

Microsoft.VC142

Visual C++ 2019

Unified redistributable package.

Microsoft.VC143

Visual C++ 2022

Latest version; backward‑compatible with VC140–VC142.

For more detail, use sxstrace:
1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
Windows 11, run cmd as administrator
2. Start tracing:

sxstrace.exe trace -logfile:sxstrace.etl

3. Launch the app that produces the error, then close the error message.
4. Return to Command Prompt and stop tracing with Ctrl + C.
5. Convert the trace to a readable file:

sxstrace.exe parse -logfile:sxstrace.etl -outfile:sxstrace.txt

6. Open sxstrace.txt and look for the missing assembly or version conflict.
sxstrace exported text example
This helps you pinpoint exactly which Visual C++ version or component is causing the side-by-side problem.

Step 4: Repair or reinstall the problematic application

If only one program shows the error, it may be corrupted—its manifest, bundled runtime files, or installation path could be broken. In that case, repairing or reinstalling the app is often the fastest solution.
uninstall software in Windows 10
Pros:
  • Best choice when only one app is affected
  • Simple for beginners
  • Can replace damaged app files quickly

Cons:

  • May remove local app settings
  • Does not fix system-wide runtime problems
  • Needs official installer source

If reinstalling causes other files to go missing, you can try Renee Undeleter to recover them.

Step 5: Optional checks and common pitfalls

If Steps 1–4 haven’t fixed the “Side-by-Side Configuration Is Incorrect” error, try these additional checks.

Check Windows Modules Installer service

While this isn’t a primary fix, it can help in some situations.
1. Search for Services in the Windows search bar and open it.
run Service In Taskbar
2. Find Windows Modules Installer.
Windows Modules Installer
3. Double-click it.
4. If the service is stopped, click Start.
5. Optionally, set Startup type to Manual or Automatic, then click OK.

Complete Windows Update and reboot

Install all pending Windows updates—especially if the error appeared after a partial update or an interrupted restart. Once updates are done, reboot and test the app again.

Do NOT delete WinSxS files or edit the registry blindly

The WinSxS folder is a critical Windows component store. Deleting files here or applying random registry tweaks from the internet can make things much worse.
winsxs folder

Avoid untrusted all‑in‑one (AIO) VC++ packs

Some third-party AIO runtime packs contain modified or outdated files. Always use official Microsoft Visual C++ downloads when you can.
Warning: Never delete files from WinSxS, apply random registry fixes, or use unknown AIO VC++ packs. These shortcuts can create bigger Windows problems.

Step 6: Reboot and retest the app

After finishing the steps above, restart your computer completely and try opening the affected app again.

How to prevent this error from returning

Follow these best practices to lower the chance of future SxS or side-by-side errors:
- Don’t uninstall old Visual C++ Redistributables unless you’re sure they aren’t needed.
- On 64-bit Windows, keep both x86 and x64 packages installed.
- Download apps and runtimes only from official sources.
- Save installers for important programs in case you need to reinstall.
- After major Windows updates, recheck apps that rely on older runtimes.
- Avoid untrusted AIO runtime packs.
- Never delete anything from the WinSxS folder.
- Don’t follow random registry “fixes” from unverified sites.

FAQ

Does this fix also work on Windows 11?

Yes. The same solutions typically work on Windows 11 because the error is still most often caused by Visual C++ runtime issues, damaged app files, or corrupted system files. Start with Step 1 and Step 2.

Which Visual C++ versions should I install, and do I need both x86 and x64?

The most commonly needed versions are 2005, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2015–2022. If you’re on a 64-bit PC, install both x86 and x64—many apps are still 32-bit. See Step 1.

Is it safe to have multiple Visual C++ Redistributable versions installed?

Yes. That’s normal and often necessary. Different apps need different versions, so it’s fine to have several installed side by side. This is safer than removing older packages.
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