About Side-by-Side Assemblies

A Windows side-by-side assembly is described by manifests. A side-by-side assembly contains a collection of resources—a group of DLLs, Windows classes, COM servers, type libraries, or interfaces—that are always provided to applications together. These are described in the assembly manifest.

Typically, a side-by-side assembly is a single DLL. For example, the Microsoft COMCTL32 assembly is a single DLL with a manifest whereas the Microsoft Visual C++ development system run-time libraries assembly contains multiple files. Manifests contain metadata that describes side-by-side assemblies and side-by-side assembly dependencies.

Side-by-side assemblies are used by the operating system as fundamental units of naming, binding, versioning, deployment, and configuration. Every side-by-side assembly has a unique identity. One of the attributes of the assembly identity is its version. For more information, see Assembly Versions.

Starting with WindowsВ XP, multiple versions of side-by-side assemblies can be used by applications running at the same time. Manifests, and the assembly version number, are used by the loader to determine the correct binding of assembly versions to applications. Side-by-side assemblies and manifests work with applications and the side-by-side manager as illustrated in the following figure.

In the preceding example, both Comctl32.DLL version 6.0 and Comctl32.DLL version 5.0 are in the side-by-side assembly cache and available to applications. When an application calls to load the DLL, the side-by-side manager determines whether the application has a version dependence described in a manifest. If there is no relevant manifest, the system loads the default version of the assembly. For WindowsВ XP, version 5.0 of Comctl32.DLL is the system default. If the side-by-side manager finds a dependence on version 6.0 stated in a manifest, that version is loaded to run with the application.

Several key system assemblies are being made available from Microsoft as side-by-side assemblies. For more information, see Supported Microsoft Side-by-side Assemblies. Application developers can also create their own side-by-side assemblies. For more information, see Guidelines for Creating Side-by-side Assemblies. In many cases it is possible to update existing applications to use side-by-side assemblies without having to change the application code.

Developers are encouraged to use side-by-side assemblies to create isolated applications, and to update existing applications into isolated applications for the following reasons:

• Side-by-side assemblies reduce the possibility of DLL version conflicts.
• Side-by-side assembly sharing enables multiple versions of COM or Windows assemblies to run at the same time.
• Applications and administrators can update assembly configuration on either a global or per-application configuration basis after deployment. For example, an application can be updated to use a side-by-side assembly that includes an update without having to reinstall the application.

Windows 7/8.1/10: error side-by-side configuration is incorrect

[German]Sometimes users of Windows (from Windows 7 up to Windows 10) are receiving an error message “side-by-side configuration is incorrect” during installing a new software. Here a few hints, what’s causing this error and how to fix.

What is WinSxS?

The folder WinSxS has been introduced in Windows XP as a subfolder of the Windows folder. According to this Technet article, this folder stores components of the operating system (.dll, manifests, catalogs). A component in Windows is one or more binaries, a catalog file, and an XML file that describes everything about how the files should be installed.

Components are grouped into logical units, and these units are used to build the different Windows editions. Each component has a unique name that includes the version, language, and processor architecture that it was built for. The WinSxS folder is the only location that the component is found on the system, all other instances of the files that you see on the system are “projected” by hard linking from the component store. Further details about WinSxS may be found at Joseph Conway’s Technet article, within WikiPedia, within this WindowsClub article and at ghacks.net.

What’s causing an ‘side-by-side configuration is incorrect’ error?

The error message is thrown, if a registry entry, pointing to WinSxS folder, has been deleted or is invalid. Also missing manifest files or broken links are causing this error. Windows can’t resolve the reference to the component (DLL file, manifest etc.).

How to fix an ‘side-by-side configuration is incorrect’ error?

In a first step I would let Windows check the system for damaged system files. This can be done, using the instructions given within this blog post Check and repair Windows system files and component store.

In Windows 7 only sfc /scannow can be used. Further checks and repairs may be done using the System Update Readiness Tool for Windows 7 (KB947821).

If this checks reports errors that cant be repaired, go to this article and try to repair. If that did not work, try a repair install using a Windows Inplace Update (just execute Windows setup from within Windows and select Upgrade option). This keeps your data and installed apps.

Try to uninstall and reinstall affected programs

If the error message “side-by-side configuration is incorrect” occurs, the message reports application. Then a one approach to repair a side-by-side issue is to install the application and re-install it again, using Windows control panel.

Tip: If the name of an application is unknown, fire up event manager (via start menu). Perhaps there are entries reporting the application causing this error. This Technet article discusses how to use Sxstrace.exe to find further details.

Repair Visual C++ Redistributable

In many cases Visual C++ 2008/2010/2012 etc. runtime Redistributable installations re damaged.

1. Go to Windows control panel and then navigate to Uninstall a programm.

2. Search the entry for Visual C++ Redistributables, right click the entry and select Uninstall.

Proceed to install all Visual C++ Redistributables via control panel. Then goto the Microsoft web site The latest supported Visual C++ downloads and download all Redistributables that just has been deinstalled. The re-install the Visual C++ Redistributables. Reboot Windows afterward and check whether the error has been fixed.

How to clean up WinSxS?

The folder WinSxS can be come huge, several GB. You should not delete files manually within this folder.

This MSDN article, this Technet article and this MSDN article contains instructions how to use clean manager to shrink WinSxS. But you should use that only in rare cases to regain free spaces, because deleting some WinSxS packages can results in other errors.

Side-by Side configuration is incorrect? What does it mean and what can I do?

I pulled out the battery from my laptop (NOT the pack but actual battery) and I stupidly declined the box which says that it would restore lost settings as I was in a hurry. now I cant access any of my documents or programmes (apart from my webbrowsers and skype) and whenever I try the following message is displayed:The application has failed to start because the side-by side configuration is incorrect. Please set the application event log or use the command line sxstrace.exe tool for more detail.

What can I do as I need to access some of my files ASAP?

· What is the exact and complete error message do you get?

I would suggest you check in event viewer for issue related logs:

Try following the methods mentioned below and check if it helps:

Method 1: Use the System File Checker tool (SFC.exe) to determine which file is causing the issue, and then replace the file. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open an elevated command prompt. To do this, click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Allow.

2. Type the following command, and then press ENTER:

The sfc /scannow command scans all protected system files and replaces incorrect versions with correct Microsoft versions.

More Information about SFC scan can be found in this document:

Method 2: Update the .NET framework

Download and install the latest .NET Framework

Method 3: Perform a check disk:

Use the steps below:

1. Open Computer by clicking the Start button, and then clicking Computer.

2. Right-click the drive that you want to check, and then click Properties.

3. Click the Tools tab, and then, under Error-checking, click Check now. If you’re prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

To automatically repair problems with files and folders that the scan detects, select Automatically fix file system errors. Otherwise, the disk check will report problems but not fix them.

Method 4: Try to run the program as administrator –Right click on the program shortcut and select “Run as administrator”, click on continue if prompted for confirmation.

Side-by-Side Configuration preventing most programs from running

Yesterday after booting up my computer, I found most programs no longer work due to a «Side-by-side Configuration error» (except IE9 and Explorer basically).

I’ve tried the following, as per the forums:

— Using error checking and attempted recovery

— System filed checked using sfc.exe (it found corrupted files but couldn’t recover them; txt file was blank; it won’t let me attach the image though. It just says like [c] ignored etc)

— Tried re-installing .NET Framework and Visual C++. This didn’t work due to the side-by-side configuration error preventing anything from running. (note: I haven’t tried doing this in safe mode. I also haven’t tried uninstalling either first. the C++ redistributable has many files under «Programs and Features»).

— As per a Youtube fix, I’ve tried going into regedit.exec, opening the x_86 policy. crt and making sure the default number is as per the highest number.

Can you please help?

Replies (4) 

Welcome to Microsoft Community.

What is the exact error message you are getting?

The side-by-side configuration error appears when a program you’re using causes a conflict with your C++ runtime libraries.

I would suggest you to try the below methods and check if that helps:

Method 1:

1. Click on Start and then click on «Control Panel«.
2. Click «Programs and Features,» and then scroll down and click the program you were using when the side-by-side configuration error appeared.
3. Click «Repair,» wait for the automated repair process to complete, and then restart the program.

Method 2: Perform the CHKDSK.

1. Open the «Computer» window

2. Right-click on the drive in question

3. Select the «Tools» tab

4. In the Error-checking area, click .

Method 3: Run the Microsoft Safety Scanner.

Refer the link below:

Method 4: If the error appears again, proceed to the next section to reinstall your Visual C++ packages.

1. Open «control panel«.
2. Click «Programs and Features,» and then scroll down and locate each of the Microsoft Visual C++ entries.
3. Select the first Microsoft Visual C++ entry, and then click «Uninstall.» Repeat this step for each Microsoft Visual C++ entry on the list.
4. Click each of the links in the Resources section in order from top to bottom to download and install all of the necessary Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributive packages. Click «Run» if prompted after clicking a link. As you’re using a 32-bit version of Windows 7, you only need to download the packages labeled «(x86).»
5. Reboot your computer after installing the packages, and then restart the program that was previously causing the side-by-side error.

Keep us posted if you face any issues on windows in future. We will be glad to help you.

«Side-by-side configuration is incorrect»

Hi, I am having some problems to launch a especific program, this is the error that im getting:

This application failed to start because side-by-side configuration is incorrect please see the application event log or use the command line sxstrace.exe tool for more detail.

After hours of research on internet I just don’t know what else to try

I am aware that this error is related with the Visual C++ packages (I guess), but I can’t seem to find the solution

My notebook is a Lenovo (G470) with Windows 10 Pro 64 bits and a 64 bits Intel processor.

This pc came with Windows 7, and I updated to Windows 10 (ultil that moment the application was working normaly), three days ago due to a series of problems I decided to reinstall windows with the option to keep my files and was from that moment when the application stop working, after installing and reinstalling all Visual C++ packages that I found and don’t came up with results I decided to do a clean instalation from scratch; few hours later, when the system was up again, I was facing the same issue again, even installing Visual C++ 2005, 2005 SP1, 2008, 2008 SP1 y 2010 (x86 y x64 todos). I don’t know what else to do.

The application event log says this:

«Activation context generation failed for «C:\GameKing\DMO\DMLauncher.exe». Dependent Assembly Microsoft.VC80.MFC,processorArchitecture=»x86″,publicKeyToken=»1fc8b3b9a1e18e3b»,type=»win32″,version=»8.0.50727.6195″could not be found. Please use sxstrace.exe for detailed diagnosis.» The ID is 33.

There is the sxstrace txt:

I have already tryed launching the program with compatibility, as administrator, reinstall it, update Direct X, NET Framework and Windows itself and nothing worked, in my desktop pc with a AMD x54 and also Windows 10 64 bits the applications works fine.

Hope you can help me, sorry for my english and thanks in advance!