PC Skyrim side-by-side configuration error

julius013 · Mar 5, 2015

Hello, when I try to launch Skyrim, I get this error message:

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Skyrim\Skyrimlauncher.exe

The application has failed to start because it's side-by-side configuration is incorrect. Please see the application event log or use the command-line sxstrace.exe tool for more detail."

However, when I try to launch the game with TESV.exe in the game's directory, it launches, but only in windowed mode which you cannot change to fullscreen without the launcher.

Also, this is only for Skyrim, all the other games I have work fine.

Things I've tried:

1. Reinstalled the game

2. Reinstalled DirectX, Microsoft Redistributable packages

3. Rebooted the PC

4. CCleaner

EDIT: Huge thanks for all the advice, I got it to work by simply reinstalling my Windows 8.1.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

TheNatural · Mar 5, 2015

Are you using Vista?

digitalsatori · Mar 6, 2015

This error is related to the C++ Runtime component. It's possible the wrong version may be installed - 32-bit on a 64-bit system, etc.

Here are links to download the C++ 2010 Runtime. You will want to check your control panel and remove any existing C++ Runtimes before reinstalling:

x86: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=5555
x64: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=14632

julius013 · Mar 6, 2015

Reinstalled every package with x64 version. Still the same error.

digitalsatori · Mar 6, 2015

Hmm.. that's weird. I would have figured they'd have used the 2010 runtime.

2008 version, perhaps? If you're willing to give that a shot.

x86: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=5582
x64: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=2092

You *might* need to reboot after installation; it depends on a number of factors.

If that still doesn't work, try the x86 version since Skyrim is a 32-bit app, after all.

How comfortable are you in the registry?

julius013 · Mar 6, 2015

I have tried all the packages (2005, 2008, 2010, 2012) both ways (x86 and x64) and nothing worked. As for the registry, perhaps I could try something.

TheNatural · Mar 6, 2015

TheNatural said:
Are you using Vista?

digitalsatori · Mar 6, 2015

Weird. Okay, let'd give this a shot. First, what version of Windows are you running?

Open up regedit and navigate to this key:

Vista: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\COMPONENTS\Winners\x86_policy.9.0.microsoft.vc90.crt_
7/8: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SideBySide\Winners\x86_policy.9.0.microsoft.vc90.crt_

What does it say under the 'Data' heading for (Default)? Make note of that.

Are there any other numbers listed under the 'Name' heading or is (Default) the only entry? If the 'Data' value of (Default) is lower than any other number in the 'Name' list, change the 'Data' value to the highest number listed under the 'Name' heading.

I hope that makes sense. As always, modifying the registry can cause major issues. Be careful and make a backup of your registry before making any changes.

digitalsatori · Mar 6, 2015

Also, what happens if you open a command prompt and type this?

sfc /scannow

julius013 · Mar 6, 2015

TheNatural said:
TheNatural said:

Are you using Vista?

Click to expand...

I'm using Windows 8.1 x64

julius013 · Mar 6, 2015

digitalsatori said:
Weird. Okay, let'd give this a shot. First, what version of Windows are you running?

Open up regedit and navigate to this key:

Vista: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\COMPONENTS\Winners\x86_policy.9.0.microsoft.vc90.crt_
7/8: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SideBySide\Winners\x86_policy.9.0.microsoft.vc90.crt_

What does it say under the 'Data' heading for (Default)? Make note of that.

Are there any other numbers listed under the 'Name' heading or is (Default) the only entry? If the 'Data' value of (Default) is lower than any other number in the 'Name' list, change the 'Data' value to the highest number listed under the 'Name' heading.

I hope that makes sense. As always, modifying the registry can cause major issues. Be careful and make a backup of your registry before making any changes.

It says "(Default)" under Name, "9.0" under Data.

TheNatural · Mar 6, 2015

Yeah... messing with the registry might not be the greatest idea. This is fixable without possibly doing irreparable damage to your registry, and if you are willing to accept the possibility of irreparable damage, then you should just reinstall windows.

I have a feeling it is a compatibility setting with Skyrim, SKSE, and/or whatever Mod Manager you are using. I've ran into this problem before with different programs over the years, I just can't give you specific advice on how to fix it, as I am out of town on buisness until tomorrow evening and don't have my skyrim PC in front of me.

julius013 · Mar 6, 2015

TheNatural said:
Yeah... messing with the registry might not be the greatest idea. This is fixable without possibly doing irreparable damage to your registry, and if you are willing to accept the possibility of irreparable damage, then you should just reinstall windows.

I have a feeling it is a compatibility setting with Skyrim, SKSE, and/or whatever Mod Manager you are using. I've ran into this problem before with different programs over the years, I just can't give you specific advice on how to fix it, as I am out of town on buisness until tomorrow evening and don't have my skyrim PC in front of me.

Alright, thanks for the advice, I think I just realised what to do with registry like you said ;D so i'll give it a shot.

julius013 · Mar 6, 2015

digitalsatori said:
Also, what happens if you open a command prompt and type this?

sfc /scannow

Also after /sfc scannow, it said:
Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some
of them. Details are included in the CBS.Log windir\Logs\CBS\CBS.log. For
example C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log. Note that logging is currently not
supported in offline servicing scenarios.

TheNatural · Mar 6, 2015

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/windows-resource-protection-found-corrupt-files

digitalsatori · Mar 6, 2015

^^^ That's the way to go.

It looks like your WinSxS is corrupted. WinSxS is your side-by-side .dll manager. Back in the day, applications used to have their own .dll files that they'd install on your PC and other applications would share them. When an application was uninstalled, it would remove the .dll files as well, which left other applications without those necessary files. Or an application would install an older version. Or a newer version. This was lovingly called 'DLL Hell'.

WinSxS is Microsoft's mirroring system for .dll files. If it notices a .dll file has been removed or replaced, it will automatically put it's version back. Somehow, somewhere, this system is not working properly on your PC.

In most cases, an automatic repair will resolve the issue. If that doesn't help, a repair install will resolve the issue. It won't remove your data; it basically reinstalls Windows on top of itself - including whatever component of the side-by-side configuration has been corrupted.

TheNatural · Mar 6, 2015

digitalsatori said:
In most cases, an automatic repair will resolve the issue. If that doesn't help, a repair install will resolve the issue. It won't remove your data; it basically reinstalls Windows on top of itself - including whatever component of the side-by-side configuration has been corrupted.

Exactly. It basically finds the missing pieces of the puzzle by going back and looking at the picture on the box.

julius013 · Mar 6, 2015

Huge thanks for all the advice, I got it to work by simply reinstalling my Windows 8.1.

TheNatural · Mar 6, 2015

Fresh installs are always great. It's like a warm sweater, fresh out of the dryer on a cold fall day.

PC Skyrim side-by-side configuration error

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