Click -> Update and recovery -> Windows Update .
If your Event Viewer or SXSTRACE results pointed to a Microsoft Visual C++ runtime library, you must reinstall it.
One of the most important technical concepts to grasp about the WinSxS folder in Windows 8 is the use of .
Instead, Windows 8 provides built-in, native tools to safely reduce the size of the folder.
: It allows different applications to run different versions of the same assembly simultaneously, preventing "DLL Hell," where installing a new program would break an older one by overwriting shared files. sxsi x64 windows 8
The WinSxS (Windows Side-by-Side) directory is one of the most critical, yet frequently misunderstood, components of the Windows operating system. In 64-bit editions of Windows 8, the sxsi x64 architecture plays a vital role in maintaining system stability, ensuring application compatibility, and managing system updates.
When something goes wrong with the sxsi x64 file or its corresponding registry entries in Windows 8, you will typically experience specific system failures:
The phrase "side-by-side configuration is incorrect" usually appears when attempting to launch a legacy application, accompanied by the error ID 0x36B3 . This occurs when the system fails to resolve a "reference" requested by the application's manifest. The application's manifest explicitly states it needs Microsoft.VC90.DebugCRT,processorArchitecture="x86",version="9.0.21022.8" ; however, the system cannot locate it in the WinSxS store. When the system cannot find the required component in the WinSxS store or specified probing paths, it throws the configuration error. This failure can be due to corruption of the store, missing entries, or permission issues within the Component-Based Servicing (CBS) stack.
Note: This is rarely needed for home users. Click -> Update and recovery -> Windows Update
(Optional / Caution) If you want to ultra-optimize the drive and lock in your current update state, you can add the ResetBase switch. Doing this weaves the current updates into the OS fabric, meaning you will never be able to uninstall any current Windows Updates.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?> <assembly xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1" manifestVersion="1.0"> <dependency> <dependentAssembly> <assemblyIdentity type="win32" name="Microsoft.VC110.CRT" version="11.0.51106.1" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="1fc8b3b9a1e18e3b"> </assemblyIdentity> </dependentAssembly> </dependency> </assembly>
: If you encounter a "Side-by-Side" (SxS) configuration error when trying to run software, it usually indicates a corruption in the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable packages rather than a driver issue. Troubleshooting "Side-by-Side" Errors
Unlike Windows 7, Windows 8 introduced a more aggressive reduction of hard links for non-critical assemblies. You may find that multiple versions of the same DLL (e.g., msvcr100.dll ) consume less physical space due to deduplication, but the logical view remains intact. Instead, Windows 8 provides built-in, native tools to
Enables Windows 8 64-bit to recognize and communicate with SxS memory cards when connected via ExpressCard slots or dedicated card readers.
Windows 8 was a pivotal release that pushed 64-bit (x64) architecture into the mainstream for professional users. For tasks like video editing, the x64 version of Windows 8 was superior to the 32-bit (x86) version due to memory handling:
The "sxsi" aspect refers to Side-by-Side Isolation. If a legacy business application requires an older version of the Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime, and a modern app requires the latest edition, Windows 8 utilizes manifest files to point each application to its respective x64 or x86 runtime copy inside WinSxS. 3. Hard Linking and the "Size" Illusion
Because the WinSxS directory contains critical operating system files, Deleting files using File Explorer can permanently corrupt your Windows installation, prevent Windows Updates from ever installing again, and stop your PC from booting.
To fix a corrupted component store, use the DISM restore health command. This tool scans the WinSxS directory, identifies broken assemblies, and downloads fresh, healthy versions directly from Microsoft's servers to patch the directory: Open . Execute the following command: Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth Use code with caution.
