Message "Subsystem needed to support the image type is not present" error when installing or running applications on Server Core
This article helps fix an error (Subsystem needed to support the image type is not present) that occurs when you run or install applications on a Windows Server computer running as a Server Core.
Applies to: Windows Server 2012 R2
Original KB number: 974727
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Symptom
When you run or install applications on a Windows Server computer running as a Server Core, you receive the following message:
"The subsystem needed to support the image type is not present"
Cause
The 32-bit subsystem support has been removed from the server, either manually or through an automated build process. This can be confirmed by running the following command:
dism /online /get-features /format:table
Examine and confirm the following output:
ServerCore-WOW64 | Disabled
Resolution
To enable the 32-bit subsystem:
Logon to the Server Core computer as an administrator.
Run the following command exactly as shown:
DISM.EXE /online /enable-feature /featurename:ServerCore-WOW64Note
The feature name 'ServerCore-WOW64' is case-sensitive.
Restart the computer when prompted.
More information
To reproduce this scenario:
To enable the 32-bit subsystem:
Logon to the Server Core computer as an administrator.
Run the following command exactly as shown:
DISM.EXE /online /enable-feature /featurename:ServerCore-WOW64Note
The feature name 'ServerCore-WOW64' is case-sensitive.
Restart the computer when prompted.
Any applications that are compiled with 32-bit code will not run on Server Core when the 32-bit subsystem has been removed. This issue also includes the installers of 64-bit applications, where the installer itself contains 32-bit code.
References
For more information, review:
What's New in the Server Core Installation Option
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