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 August 29, 2010
Thank you very much!!!! That worked for the x64 version too!
hp August 30, 2010
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 September 9, 2010
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 September 11, 2010
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 October 16, 2010
THANX!
JPSSSST January 20, 2011
Gr8!!!! thx!!!!
ROHAN DESAI March 4, 2011
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 March 4, 2011
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 March 12, 2011
Thank You so Much!
david June 16, 2011
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 April 12, 2012
thank you very very very much
hp April 14, 2012
glad it helped you!
Nathan January 8, 2013
Very helpful, thanks a ton.
Kevin February 27, 2015
Had this same problem with Solidworks 2015 with Windows 8 x64 – this fixed it as well! Thank you!
Joost June 17, 2015
HERO
Mariusmp January 5, 2016
That’s useful even with solidworks 2016 on Win 10! Thank you 🙂
henrypoon January 5, 2016 — Post Author
That’s good to hear! I’ll add that to the post!