Introduction: How to Fix 'The Application Was Unable to Start Correctly (0xc000007b)' Error Message in Windows

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If you're running Windows, here's how to fix 'The application was unable to start correctly (0xc000007b)' error message.

If you get this error message, it's probably because you're trying to run a game or program and there's something not quite right. It's likely due to upgrading from 32bit Windows to 64bit but there are various things you can do to fix this problem. Below we have various and mostly simple methods you can follow to try and fix the 0xc000007b error message. You may only need to one but a combination of fixes may be required.

How to fix 'The application was unable to start correctly (0xc000007b)' error message

Fix one

The first thing to try is a simple reboot of your system.

Fix two

In most cases it's Microsoft .NET framework causing the issues. This can easily fixed by re-installing latest .NET framework.

Fix three

Try running the game or application as an admin. Right click on it, select Properties and open the Compatibility tab. Tick the 'Run this program as an administrator' box, and click on OK.

Fix four

You can also try re-installing the game or program you're trying to run - simple but sometimes very effective.

Fix five

Update Windows.

Fix six

Run chkdsk by opening cmd (search for it or select run in the start menu). In the window type "chkdsk c: /f /r". If it is the primary windows disk, it will ask you to schedule it for next boot. When you restart, it will do a check before get to the login screen. Partitions or other drives can also be checked this way.

Fix seven

Re-install DirectX.

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