Application failed to start because its side-by-side configuration is incorrect

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

When I try to open avast I get an error saying “The application has failed to start because its side-by-side configuration is incorrect. Please see the application event log or use command-line sxstrace.exe tool for more details.”
I have installed Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Packages 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013 & 2015-2019 (All of which I have both x86 & x64 versions installed.) I’ve attached a picture of the Visual C++ Redistributable Packages i have installed (screenshot of them listed in Programs & Features.) I am running Windows 10 64 bit.
I have tried restarting my pc (obviously), I’ve tried reinstalling avast multiple times. I’ve done so by using programs & features to uninstall, and have also done so by using the uninstall utility. I’ve tried repairing Avast also.
I have also run a system file check (SFC) “sfc /scannow” in elevated command prompt 3 times along with DISM Restorehealth. It found error & fixed them, then rebooted by pc. Still did not fix the problem. I tried reinstalling avast again multiple times, I tried repairing it again, I also tried repairing Visual C++ redistributable packages. Still nothing has helped.

This is what it says in Event Viewer:

[In the “General” tab]:

"Activation context generation failed for “C:\Program Files\Avast Software\Avast\AvastUI.exe”.Error in manifest or policy file “C:\WINDOWS\WinSxS\manifests\amd64_policy.14.0.avast.vc140.mfc_fcc99ee6193ebbca_14.0.28127.0_none_5638651cc6ac4862.manifest” on line 3. Component identity found in manifest does not match the identity of the component requested. Reference is Policy.14.0.Avast.VC140.MFC,processorArchitecture=“amd64”,publicKeyToken=“fcc99ee6193ebbca”,type=“win32-policy”,version=“14.0.28127.0”. Definition is Policy.14.0.Avast.VC140.MFC,processorArchitecture=“amd64”,publicKeyToken=“fcc99ee6193ebbca”,type=“win32-policy”,version=“14.0.27821.0”. Please use sxstrace.exe for detailed diagnosis.

[In the “Details” tab]:

[“Friendly View”]:

  • System

    • Provider

    [ Name] SideBySide

    • EventID 35

    [ Qualifiers] 49409

    Level 2

    Task 0

    Keywords 0x80000000000000

    • TimeCreated

    [ SystemTime] 2020-08-24T22:29:00.115106400Z

    EventRecordID 325094

    Channel Application

    Computer DESKTOP-E8N13R8

    Security

  • EventData

    Policy.14.0.Avast.VC140.MFC,processorArchitecture=“amd64”,publicKeyToken=“fcc99ee6193ebbca”,type=“win32-policy”,version=“14.0.28127.0”
    Policy.14.0.Avast.VC140.MFC,processorArchitecture=“amd64”,publicKeyToken=“fcc99ee6193ebbca”,type=“win32-policy”,version=“14.0.27821.0”

    C:\Program Files\Avast Software\Avast\AvastUI.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\WinSxS\manifests\amd64_policy.14.0.avast.vc140.mfc_fcc99ee6193ebbca_14.0.28127.0_none_5638651cc6ac4862.manifest
    3

[“XML View”]:

- 35 2 0 0x80000000000000 325094 Application DESKTOP-E8N13R8 - Policy.14.0.Avast.VC140.MFC,processorArchitecture="amd64",publicKeyToken="fcc99ee6193ebbca",type="win32-policy",version="14.0.28127.0" Policy.14.0.Avast.VC140.MFC,processorArchitecture="amd64",publicKeyToken="fcc99ee6193ebbca",type="win32-policy",version="14.0.27821.0" C:\Program Files\Avast Software\Avast\AvastUI.exe C:\WINDOWS\WinSxS\manifests\amd64_policy.14.0.avast.vc140.mfc_fcc99ee6193ebbca_14.0.28127.0_none_5638651cc6ac4862.manifest 3
2
  • Which Avast…? (Free/Pro/IS/Premium)
  • Which version/build of Avast…?
  • OS…? (32/64 Bit…? - which SP/Build…?)
  • Other security related software installed…?
  • Which AV(s) did you use before Avast…?
3

Avast Free
Avast Build 20.4.2410
64 Bit Windows 10 Pro Version 1903 (OS Build 18362.836)
Malwarebytes Free Version is installed (which I hadn’t had any problems using with Avast)
Also, Window Defender.
I didn’t use any AV before Avast. Avast was the first one I had used.

4
  1. Download Avast Free Antivirus: https://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_free_antivirus_setup_offline.exe
  2. Follow instructions: https://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility (Run this tool for all prior installed Avast versions…!!)
  3. Reinstall Avast with the downloaded installer from point 1.
  4. Reboot.

PS: Regarding Avast & Malwarebytes, see: https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/200324-exclusions-for-avast-users/

5

I followed your instructions precisely and Avast is installed, (thank you by the way for the offline installer, I wasn’t aware there was one available. All I could find was the online installer.)
But… when I open Avast it says, “UI Failed to Load. This is really embarrassing. Your protection is running, but the UI is having a really bad day.” This is what has happened (and still happens) every time I’ve tried opening Avast since reinstalling it using the installer you provided.
I tried to scan a file in Windows Explorer (right-click > “scan selected items for viruses”), but nothing seemed to happen.
The Avast icon in the system tray says I’m unprotected, but when I right-click on it, under “Avast shields control” in the context menu, it says all shields are on.

Also, I read the Malwarebytes thing and once I get Avast working I’ll make sure to add them to each other’s exclusion list. Oh, and now Malwarebytes is not opening too (started happening before reinstalling Avast and is still happening). This has happened before, and reinstalling Malwarebytes worked last time, so I’ll try that and let you know if it fixes Malwarebytes. But I’ll attach an image of the popup error message I get when trying to open Malwarebytes in case it helps with solving the Avast problem. The error’s header says “mbam.exe - bad image” so it may be related, I don’t know.

Thank you for the help you’ve provide so far, I appreciate it.

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→ https://support.avast.com/article/Troubleshoot-Embarrassing-UI-Failed-load