Error: 'Application failed to start, side-by-side configuration incorrect'

On opening the software, the following message appears:

32bit: 'C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sage SBD\SBDDesktop\vxx\SBDDesktop.exe'

64bit: 'C:\Program Files(x86)\Common Files\Sage SBD\SBDDesktop\vxx\SBDDesktop.exe'

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

When you click OK, Sage Accounts doesn't open.

This message can appear when you open Sage 50 Accounts, after uninstalling a more recent version on the same computer.

Repair install your software

1. Press the Windows key and R.
2. Enter appwiz.cpl.
3. Double-click the Sage 50 Accounts shortcut.
4. When prompted, choose Repair.

Turn off User Account Control and reinstall software

1. Turn off the UAC on your computer.
2. Uninstall the new version of Sage Accounts and the version of Sage Accounts you want to use.
3. On your keyboard, press the Windows key + R and type %temp%. 
4. To select all files and folders, hold down Ctrl + A.
5. To delete the files, press Delete then click Yes.
6. Install the version of Sage Accounts you want to use.
7. Open the version of Sage Accounts you've installed.

Install software to a new folder

If the issue persists, reinstall the later version of Sage 50 Accounts into a new folder and delete the software shortcut from the desktop. You can then access the earlier version successfully.

 TIP: If you don’t require both versions installed, you can uninstall the one you don’t require.

To install Sage 50 Accounts alongside your earlier version.

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows key + R and type %temp%. Locate the temporary Sage files, and delete them.
2. Custom install Sage 50 Accounts into a new folder.
3. If, when running the earlier version of Sage Accounts, the error returns, uninstall this version.
4. On your keyboard, press the Windows key + R and type %temp%. Locate the temporary Sage files, and delete them.
5. Install the earlier version of Sage Accounts into a new folder.

NOTE: If the issue persists, completely uninstall Sage Accounts using this article.

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