Fix the “Side-by-Side Configuration Is Incorrect” Error on Windows

Sometimes, when you try to open an app, it fails to launch and rather throws a strange error message stating -‘side-by-side configuration is incorrect.’ The error pops up on the screen while trying to open a third-party application like Google Chrome. It can also show up and stall a task while installing an application. Let’s dive into the details.

What are the reasons behind the Side-by-Side Configuration is Incorrect Error Message?

Users encounter the ‘side-by-side configuration is incorrect’ error message due to many reasons. However, there is one reason we found common in all scenarios – a conflict between the C++ run-time libraries and the application. The conflict occurs due to an application’s inability to load the required run-time libraries.

However, some other reasons may also contribute to this error, such as:

• Corrupt system files
• Improperly installed application
• Corrupt application installer
• Incompatible application version
• Outdated or corrupt C++ Redistributable Package

Methods to Resolve the Side-by-Side Configuration is Incorrect Error

With a clear understanding of the error and the reasons behind it, we can move forward with the methods to resolve the error causing the applications to fail to launch or during installation.

Method 1: Update the Problematic Application

Outdated applications can sometimes cause errors while running. To avoid such issues, you should always keep your applications up to date.

Method 2: Repair the Problematic Application

There are chances that the application you are trying to launch is damaged, which might be triggering the ‘side-by-side configuration’ error message on your Windows computer. If this is the case, you can repair the application and resolve this irksome issue.

You can repair the problematic application either via the Control Panel or by going into the Settings app. We will discuss both the ways below –

To repair an application using the Control Panel:

• Open Control Panel.
• Click on Programs and Features.
• Find the problematic app in the list and right-click on it.
• Click on Repair.

Some users reported that they were unable to see the Repair option while following the above steps. In that case, you can follow the next method to repair the problematic application.

To repair an application using the Windows Settings App:

• Press WINDOWS + I to open Settings.

• Click on Apps and then Apps & features in the left pane.
• Find the problematic application and select it.

• Click on Advanced options.
• Scroll down to the Reset section.
• Click Repair.

The above steps should fix the “side-by-side configuration is incorrect” error. However, if the application still generates the error, uninstall and reinstall it.

Method 3: Install the Latest Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package

Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package is a vital component that allows apps to function smoothly. However, missing or corrupted Microsoft Visual components could cause the system to generate the ‘side-by-side configuration’ error message.

You can reinstall the latest Visual C++ package to resolve this issue. To do this, first, uninstall all the installed Visual packages from the computer. Learn more about it here.

Next, head to the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable download page and download the latest version compatible with your system. Once installed, restart your computer and check if this resolves the issue.

Method 4: Perform DISM & SFC Scans

Corrupted or missing system files can cause various errors like the ‘side by side configuration is incorrect’ error on your Windows 11/10 systems. Such errors can also occur due to broken Windows Image. In this case, you can first execute the DISM command, followed by the SFC scan. Here are the steps to do this –

• Press WINDOWS + R and type CMD.
• Press CTRL + SHIFT + ENTER to open CMD with administrative privileges.
• Type and execute the following commands one by –

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

DISM /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

• Wait for the process to end.
• After this, execute the following command – SFC /scannow.

• Let the scanning process complete.
• Restart your PC once the scanning is finished.

Method 5: Perform Malware Scan

If you have downloaded the problematic application from an untrusted website and it is showing the ‘side-by-side configuration is incorrect’ error message on your screen, it is highly likely that a virus has infected your computer. If this is the case, you should perform a complete system scan using a reliable antivirus software or Windows Defender.

If the scan brings up any suspicious files, take the necessary steps to eliminate them from your system. And, remember to always use only trusted websites to download applications.

Method 6: Install Windows updates

Users can be encountering the ‘side-by-side configuration is incorrect’ error message on their screens due to a buggy Windows update. As OS updates bring bug fixes and new features, you can check for Windows updates or install any pending OS updates that are already available. Follow the steps mentioned below –

• Press WINDOWS + I to open Windows Settings.
• Click on Update & Security.

• Click on Windows updates in the left-hand side pane.
• Look for any available updates and install them.

Method 7: Use System Restore

System Restore is a built-in utility that allows users to create restore points or system snapshots that can be used to return to a previous healthy state in case of severe system-related issues. However, to use the restore points, you should have enabled this feature well in advance.

As we know that the System Restore utility creates restore points that contain a timestamp of the OS from a healthy state, these points can be used to return the PC to a previous error-free state. However, returning to a previous point will remove any application installed after the creation of that specific restore point. Carefully the below-mentioned steps to use this utility –

• Press WINDOWS + R and type rstrui.exe. Press Enter to open the System Restore utility.
• In the System Restore window, click on Next.

• Then select the restore point you wish to return to and then click on Scan for affected programs.

• The process will scan for affected programs and display all the applications that will be removed upon restoring the system. Once the scanning is complete, Close the dialog box.

• Once the scanning is complete, close it and then press Next.

• Go to the confirmation screen and then click on Finish to proceed with System Restore.

Note – While the System Restore doesn’t affect the data and files present on the hard drive, you can still take a complete backup of your important data to avoid any data loss. However, there could be a chance of data loss. Hence, you should take a complete backup of your files before proceeding with this method or resetting your Windows 11/10 PC.

How to Recover Lost Data in Case of the ‘Side-by-Side Configuration is Incorrect’ Error?

Applications and video games store their data locally for easy operations. However, if an app has corrupted and is showing the ‘side-by-side configuration is incorrect’ error message, there are chances of you losing your app data.

In this case, you can try your hands on a professional data recovery software, such as Stellar Data Recovery. This software is purposefully built for providing ease of usage while ensuring maximum recovery of the lost data.

Thanks to its wide-compatibility with numerous storage devices and file formats, it can easily recover almost any type of file from any storage device. You can try your hands on it to get a first-hand experience of its capabilities.

Conclusion

The ‘side-by-side configuration is incorrect’ error message is an annoying Windows error message that has troubled a lot of Windows users. If you are facing this issue, you can use the methods mentioned in this post to fix this error. Apart from the methods mentioned above, you can also try running the application in compatibility mode. Let us know which method helped you resolve this error message in the comments section.

Some User Queries

Q. How do I fix Chrome showing the side-by-side configuration is incorrect error message?

A. The ‘side by side configuration is incorrect’ error message coming while launching Google Chrome could be due to problematic Microsoft Visual C++ packages. Try reinstalling it.

Q. What does it mean when an application fails and gives the ‘side by side configuration is incorrect’ message?

A. If you encounter this error while running an app, it could be due to missing or damaged components required to run the application.

Q. What causes configuration errors on Windows PCs?

A. Various causes like incorrect system stats, missing system files, unintended system behavior and more result in various configuration errors like the ‘side by side configuration is incorrect’ error.

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About The Author

Keshav Katyal

A passionate writer driven by his interest in everything tech, Keshav Katyal has always been captivated by the latest gadgets since childhood. His interest in technology grew when he got his first gaming console, the Nintendo Game Boy Advanced. Hours and days of tinkering with old & new gadgets made his inner geek passionate about technology.