I finally found the fix to the error in SolidWorks 2010 (also reported to work for SW 2011, 2015 and 2016) that prevented me from running the program. The computer uses Windows 7 32-bit (works also for Windows 8 and 10 as pointed out in the comments), and every time I started up the program it would something like:
The application failed to start because its side-by-side configuration is incorrect. Please see the application event log or use the command-line sxstrace.exe tool.
I used my Google-fu and found that the cause of this error is due my computer not having the Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable. A copy of the setup file for this is in the SolidWorks 2010 disc. It is in the folder (DVD Drive):PreReqsVCRedist. After installing that, the error disappeared and SolidWorks starts properly.
Peter 2010-08-29
Thank you very much!!!! That worked for the x64 version too!
hp 2010-08-30
Thank you for letting me know!
I installed SW2010 on my x64 PC as well, but I never ran into this problem, but it is good to hear that this fix applies to the x64 version too!
MrBe 2010-09-09
You are a fukin genius! I have been stressing and asking computer personel to try and fix the problem with no joy.
Thank you so much, you have truly saved me.
(Win7 x64)
hp 2010-09-11
You’re welcome 🙂
The SW install should have installed the dependencies, but I still have no clue why it never did.
It’s great that SW is working fine now!
yeah 2010-10-16
THANX!
JPSSSST 2011-01-20
Gr8!!!! thx!!!!
ROHAN DESAI 2011-03-04
I have solidworks 2010 32-bit version .
But the problem occurs while running setup.exe. that is on clicking on NEXT button no response on the screen.
hp 2011-03-04
I believe there at 32 and 64 bit versions of SW, and I’m assuming you are running the 32 bit one. And if you are getting this error before you install, this same fix might still work. But if you’ve already tried it, and it still doesn’t work, you may need other dependencies. Maybe give Windows Update a try so you can get all the .NET framework, Windows Installer and the like and maybe it’ll work after that. I don’t know for certain exactly which dependencies you need to install, which is why I’m suggesting giving Windows a full update. Pretty much a shotgun approach. Hopefully this will work. Good luck!
Martín 2011-03-12
Thank You so Much!
david 2011-06-16
This is fantastic! thanks so much for sharing! it worked for me.
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windows 7 professional x64
solidworks 2011 premium
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thanks so much for sharing 2012-04-12
thank you very very very much
hp 2012-04-14
glad it helped you!
Nathan 2013-01-08
Very helpful, thanks a ton.
Kevin 2015-02-27
Had this same problem with Solidworks 2015 with Windows 8 x64 – this fixed it as well! Thank you!
Joost 2015-06-17
HERO
Mariusmp 2016-01-05
That’s useful even with solidworks 2016 on Win 10! Thank you 🙂
henrypoon 2016-01-05 — Post Author
That’s good to hear! I’ll add that to the post!