[Solved] “Side by Side Configuration Is Incorrect” Error on Windows 10 (2024)

Rick Akura on

In this guide, you will learn how to fix "side by side configuration is incorrect" error using 6 different methods. Let's get started.

Windows 10 usershave reported that they're experiencing a strange error when trying to open an application. The message pop-up says that the "side-by-side configuration is incorrect," and fails to proceed with the application's launch.

[Solved] “Side by Side Configuration Is Incorrect” Error on Windows 10 (1)

If you're also dealing with this frustrating issue when trying to open, install, or uninstall apps, you're not alone. This is a known issue with Windows 10, however, not one that couldn't be resolved.

A common cause for this error is a conflict between theC++ run-time librariesand the application you’re trying to open or install. Our article aims to bring you the most effective solutions when dealing with the error on Windows 10 no matter what the source is.

Steps to fix the "side-by-side configuration is incorrect" error

There are multiple ways to fix this rather frustrating error on your Windows 10 system. We’ve made sure to outline the best methods used to troubleshoot such issues, allowing you to enjoy using your device to its fullest once again.

Method 1: Re-download the installer file

If you’re having trouble installing an application, you can simplyre-download its installerand attempt the process once again. Some installers run into errors due to corruption or damage during the download process, or they’re simply outdated and no longer work with your operating system.

Navigate to the manufacturer’s website and download the latest available installer for your software. We highly recommend that you only download from trusted sources, as downloading from anywhere else may put you at risk of receiving malware.

Method 2: Reinstall the problematic application

[Solved] “Side by Side Configuration Is Incorrect” Error on Windows 10 (2)

The first thing you should attempt when an application won’t launch is to reinstall it. This can be done by removing the software first, then downloading or running the installer to get it back on your system. Below are the steps outlining how you can uninstall an application and get the latest version.

  1. Open theStart menuby clicking on theWindows iconin the bottom left corner of your screen. You can also press this key on your keyboard to bring the menu up.
  2. Click onSettingsfrom the left side of the pop-up menu. It’s indicated with a gear icon. For faster access, simply use theWindows + Skeyboard shortcut.
  3. You’ll see a new window displaying many system options. Click onApps.
  4. Stay on the default page, and wait for your applications to load. This may take some time depending on the number of applications you have installed on your device.
  5. Use theSearchfunction to quickly find the problematic application.
  6. Select the app you want to reinstall, then choose the “Uninstall” option.
  7. Perform the on-screen instructions to remove the software.Restart your computeronce the uninstallation is complete to ensure all files are permanently deleted.
  8. Follow our steps inMethod 1to download a new installer package and get the software back on your PC.

Method 3: Check your Registry

TheRegistryis responsible for many parts of your operating system. A poorly configured Registry entry can cause issues with your system, including the error you’re trying to solve right now.

Luckily, you can easily confirm if the Registry is configured properly by following our steps below. This process may seem complicated, but it’s necessary to ensure you’re not dealing with an incorrect Registry key.

Warning: Before beginning this guide, we recommend you tobackup your Registry.

  1. Press theWindows + Rkeys on your on-screen keyboard to openRun, then type “regedit” into the input field. Press theOKbutton to launch the Registry Editor.
  2. You can navigate the Registry Editor by expanding folders using the arrow icon next to their names. Using this, locate the following Registry key:Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SideBySide\Winners\x86_policy.9.0.microsoft.vc90.crt_1fc8b3b9a1e18e3b_none_02d0010672fd8219\9.0The second to last entry varies from computer to computer — we used ours as an example. You need to look for an entry with both “9.0” and “crt” in the name.
  3. If you’re in the correct Registry key, you should be able to see three values: one called Default, then two strings of numbers.
  4. Check thedata value of the Default entry, and ensure that itmatches the longer number entry(see the image below.)

    [Solved] “Side by Side Configuration Is Incorrect” Error on Windows 10 (3)

  5. If the Default value isn’t the same as the longest number, double-click on the Default value andmanually input the number. Make sure to do this correctly so each number and character matches.
  6. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.

Method 4: Install the latestMicrosoft VisualC++ Redistributable Packages

To ensure that your issue doesn’t come from damaged or corruptVisual C++files, you can easily download and install the latest versions from the official Microsoft website. First, you need todownload and install Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributablefiles, then simply restart your computer to verify if the problem still exists.

Method 5: Perform a System File Checker scan

[Solved] “Side by Side Configuration Is Incorrect” Error on Windows 10 (4)

TheSystem File Checkeris a tool available in Windows 10 by default. It’s also called an “SFC scan,” and it’s your quickest way to automatically fix corrupted system files and other issues.

Running this scan has proven to get rid of issues with Windows 10. Here’s what you need to do to run it.

  1. Press theWindows + Rkeys on your keyboard. This is going to bring up the Run utility.
  2. Type in “cmd” and press theCtrl + Shift + Enterkeys on your keyboard. By doing so, you’re launching the Command Prompt with administrative permissions.
  3. If prompted, clickYesto allow the Command Prompt to make changes on your device.
  4. Once in the Command Prompt, type in the following command and press Enter to execute it:sfc /scannow
  5. Wait for the SFC scan to finish scanning your computer and repairing corrupt files. This may take a long time; ensure that you don’t close the Command Prompt or shut your computer down.
  6. Restartyour device after the scan is complete.

Method 6: Reset Windows 10

[Solved] “Side by Side Configuration Is Incorrect” Error on Windows 10 (5)

While this is the least desirable option, it can certainly help when dealing with serious system issues. Many users turn to reset Windows 10 in an attempt to get a clean start and fix messy problems that otherwise would require hours and hours of troubleshooting.

Here are the steps to reset Windows 10. You have the option of keeping all of your personal data, but you may also choose to entirely wipe all data and start with a fresh system.

  1. Click on theStart menuand choose “Settings.” You can alternatively use theWindows + Ikeyboard shortcut as well.
  2. Click on the “Update & security” tile.
  3. Switch to the “Recovery” tab.
  4. You should see a header that says “Reset this PC.” Simply click on the “Get started” button under it.
  5. Choose whether or not you want to keep personal files. Both options mean thatyour applications will be removed, but you can easily keep personal documents safe.
  6. Proceed with the on-screen prompts and reset your PC.

We hope that our tips were able to guide you when restoring your PC after running into the “side-by-side configuration is incorrect” error. You should be able to enjoy your apps, install new ones, or remove unwanted programs without having to see the same pop-up.

If you notice in the future that your system is experiencing similar issues, feel free to return to our article and apply some other fixes. If nothing works, we recommend turning to either Microsoft’s customer support team or looking for an IT specialist in regard to your PC’s health.

Are you interested in learning more about Windows 10? Do you need help fixing any other Windows 10 errors and issues? You can browse ourdedicated Help Centersection and find articles about everything related to Microsoft’s groundbreaking operating system.

If you’re looking for a software company you can trust for its integrity and honest business practices, look no further thanSoftwareKeep. We are a Microsoft Certified Partner and a BBB Accredited Business that cares about bringing our customers a reliable, satisfying experience on the software products they need. We will be with you before, during, and after all the sales.

[Solved] “Side by Side Configuration Is Incorrect” Error on Windows 10 (2024)

FAQs

[Solved] “Side by Side Configuration Is Incorrect” Error on Windows 10? ›

If you are lucky enough, you can fix the side-by-side configuration issue. Click Start > Settings > Update & Security. Find Program Compatibility Troubleshooter from the Troubleshoot page and run the troubleshooter.

Why is Chrome not opening because its side by side configuration is incorrect? ›

The "side-by-side configuration is incorrect" error message in Chrome typically indicates an issue with the installation of the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable packagesPlease try to repair or Reinstall Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable:Open the "Control Panel" on your computer.

How to use sxstrace.exe in Windows 10? ›

How Can I Use sxstrace.exe?
  1. Before running your application, run sxstrace in trace mode sxstrace.exe Trace -logfile:C:\tmp\MySxSTrace. log.
  2. Reproduce the error by starting your application.
  3. Now stop the trace by using the below command sxstrace.exe Parse -logfile:C:\tmp\MySxSTrace. ...
  4. Open output file from C:\tmp\MySxSTrace.

What does the application has failed to start because its side by side configuration is incorrect Internet Explorer? ›

The “The application has failed to start because its side-by-side configuration is incorrect” error message in Windows typically appears when a program or application is trying to use a version of a Microsoft Visual C++ runtime library that is not installed or is not configured correctly on the user's computer.

How do I fix Windows 10 configuration error? ›

Here are the six Bad System Config error fixes in order:
  1. Restart your system.
  2. Check your hardware.
  3. Run SFC and CHKDSK.
  4. Restore the Windows Registry.
  5. Use System Restore to fix the Windows Registry.
  6. Fix boot configuration data (BCD)

What causes configuration error? ›

However, the configuration load failed error may be caused by one of the following reasons: There is a problem with the configuration file of the website or the app that you are using to stream it. The configuration file may be corrupted, missing, or invalid.

Why Chrome is not working properly in Windows 10? ›

Uninstall and reinstall extensions: One of your Chrome extensions could be causing a problem. Uninstall all extensions, then add them back one by one. Fix hardware acceleration issues: There could be a problem with how your computer's hardware works with Chrome: Open More.

How do I clear the cache on Google Chrome? ›

Click the Menu in the upper right. Choose "Clear Browsing Data." The most effective setting is to clear all browsing history for All time and to clear browsing history, download history, cached images and files, and cookies. Close your browser and restart to see changes.

How do I arrange Chrome Windows side by side? ›

You can use keyboard shortcuts to snap windows:
  1. Horizontal window layout: Snap to left: Alt + [ Snap to right: Alt + ]
  2. Vertical window layout: Snap to top: Alt + [ Snap to bottom: Alt + ]

What is a Windows side by side error? ›

The "side-by-side" error is a Windows operating system error related to a faulty C++ Redistributable Package. This is common to operating systems which do not have Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable Package.

How do I activate Windows side by side? ›

To enable the split-screen feature:
  1. Click Start and Settings.
  2. Select System.
  3. Select Multitasking, and then switch Snap windows on.
  4. Select the window you want to split by the title bar, and then press the keyboard shortcut Windows key + left / right arrow.

How do I do side by side on Windows 10? ›

How to split screen on Windows using keyboard shortcuts
  1. Windows key + right arrow = moves the window to the right.
  2. Windows key + left arrow = moves the window to the left.
  3. Windows key + up arrow = moves the window up.
  4. Windows key + down arrow = moves the window down.
Apr 4, 2023

How to fix the application has failed to start side by side configuration is incorrect valorant? ›

The side by side configuration error in Valorant usually means there's a problem with the Microsoft Visual C++ runtime library. Try reinstalling all the Visual C++ packages from Microsoft's official website. Make sure to download both the x86 and x64 versions for your Windows version.

How do I fix boot configuration error? ›

Do as the following steps:
  1. Go to Repair your computer>Troubleshoot > Advanced options> Command Prompt.
  2. Repair MBR by running the following commands: ● bootrec.exe /fixmbr. ● bootrec.exe /fixboot. ● bootrec.exe /scanos. ● bootrec.exe /rebuildbcd. ...
  3. Restart your computer.
Nov 28, 2023

What is Windows side by side configuration? ›

When developers create software they use code from one of the Visual C++ Redistributables to link into functionality provided in windows. The side-by-side configuration error is related to one of the redistributables being missing on your PC.

How to fix Bad_system_config_info error in Windows 10? ›

How to TroubleShoot BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO Error on Windows?
  1. Method 1: Fix Windows Configuration Error Using System Restart.
  2. Method 2: Fix Bad System Config Info By Resetting Windows PC.
  3. Method 3: Uninstall the Latest Updates to Fix System Windows Config Error.
  4. Method 4: Fix Bad System Config Info by Memory Diagnostic.
Jun 26, 2024

How do I fix incorrect function error in Windows 10? ›

Select Start , then select Settings > Apps > Apps & features. Then look for that display control app and remove it before the re-install. If the app has a "repair" button try a repair first. The app is not necessary so you may want to try it out and if not useful, uninstall it.

How do you reset the configuration on Windows 10? ›

To reset your PC, go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC > Get Started.

How to repair Windows 10 from Control Panel? ›

Perform a System Restore in Windows 10
  1. Click Start. , then type Control Panel.
  2. Search Control Panel for Recovery.
  3. Select Recovery > Open System Restore > Next.
  4. Choose the restore point that is related to the problematic app, driver, or update, and then select Next > Finish.
Apr 16, 2024

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