Problem with SecurityHealth - Bad image Error Status 0xc000012f

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Problem with SecurityHealth - Bad image Error Status 0xc000012f

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How to fix this error C:\Windows\System32\SecurityHealth\10.0.29510.1001-0\SecurityHealthSSO.dll Error Status 0xc000012f. I tried a few solutions but nothing worked. I would really appreciate the help.
Thank you!

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Answer 1

_AW_ 67,261 Volunteer Moderator

That last version of Security Health is almost completely corrupt.

To resolve the issue, download and unzip ExecTI from https://winaero.com/execti/

Run ExecTI as administrator and enter cmd.exe > OK

In the resulting command window enter (copy/paste)

RD /S /Q "C:\Windows\System32\SecurityHealth\10.0.29510.1001-0"

Let me know if the folder is not removed.

Close out that Command Prompt window and open an elevated Command Prompt (Run as administrator). Run the following:

sc start SecurityHealthService
sc query SecurityHealthService

If SecurityHealthService state is running, then so far so good.

Next download the latest version of SecurityHealthSetup -

https://catalog.s.download.windowsupdate.com/c/msdownload/update/software/defu/2026/03/securityhealthsetup_a9b1a353945e3cc61ef19dcf0f78e199e1bd5c74.exe

Right click on SecurityHealthSetup_a9b1a353945e3cc61ef19dcf0f78e199e1bd5c74.exe > Properties > Unblock > OK

Right click on SecurityHealthSetup_a9b1a353945e3cc61ef19dcf0f78e199e1bd5c74.exe and run as administrator.

In the C:\Windows\System32\SecurityHealth folder there should now be a 10.0.29554.1001-0 folder and Windows Security should now open.

Shade 20 Reputation points

2026-04-18T06:46:06.4066667+00:00

I did it and the error is gone and i can open windows security. I really appreciate your help and for thanks for taking out of your time to help me.
_AW_ 67,261 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-04-18T07:06:43.6366667+00:00

You're most welcome. If you could click Accept answer at my answer it would be much appreciated.
Shae 0 Reputation points

2026-05-03T23:07:20.6866667+00:00

Hello, i am having this issue as well and I have run into an issue with this fix. I ran the initial commands in Powershell and came up with the exact same response as OP. I downloaded ExecTI but when I run that command prompt it says "The system cannot find the file specified."

I thought maybe the file doesn't exist so I attempted to rest of the fix but did not at all get the same results. Could you help me with what I can do from here?
_AW_ 67,261 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-05-03T23:11:44.6666667+00:00

Post the output from the two powershell commands in https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/a/12723655.
Shae 0 Reputation points

2026-05-04T00:33:47.0133333+00:00

Continuing with the other command in ExecTI, I ran that command and it says "The directory is not empty."

Is this the result I should be looking for?
_AW_ 67,261 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-05-04T00:43:31.3766667+00:00

See if you can remove the folder using IObit Unlocker.

https://www.iobit.com/en/iobit-unlocker.php

After installation, browse to C:\Windows\System32\SecurityHealth\1.0.2310.10002-0

Right click on the folder and select IObit Unlocker.

Click the drop arrow next to Unlock and select Unlock & Delete

Verfiy that C:\Windows\System32\SecurityHealth\1.0.2310.10002-0 has been deleted. If so, continue on with the instructions.
Shae 0 Reputation points

2026-05-04T01:08:28.5466667+00:00

That worked!! Wow thank you so much!
_AW_ 67,261 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-05-04T01:17:51.79+00:00

You're most welcome. :)

Answer 2

_AW_ 67,261 Volunteer Moderator

I need a bit more information. Please open Windows Powershell and run the following commands then post a screenshot showing the output.

gci 'C:\Windows\System32\SecurityHealth'-recurse -file -Include '*.dll', '*.exe', '*.appx'  | Get-AuthenticodeSignature | ft -auto Path, Status

gsv SecurityHealthService, WdBoot, WdFilter, WdNisDrv, WinDefend, wscsvc | ft -auto Name, DisplayName, StartType, Status

Shade 20 Reputation points

2026-04-18T04:45:56.13+00:00

This is the result i got. Im sorry for the late replies i was not available.
Shae 0 Reputation points

2026-05-04T00:10:43.2166667+00:00

Here is the result I got
_AW_ 67,261 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-05-04T00:28:48.5233333+00:00
OK. Run ExecTI and launch cmd.exe.

Run this command in Command Prompt:

RD /S /Q "C:\Windows\System32\SecurityHealth\1.0.2310.10002-0"

If that doesn't throw an error, continue on with the instructions after Let me know if the folder is not removed at

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5859344/probelm-with-securityhealth-bad-image-error-status#:~:text=Let%20me%20know%20if%20the%20folder%20is%20not%20removed.

Answer 3

Lester Bernard Reyes 79,530 Independent Advisor

Hi, thank you for that information. In this case, kindly follow the steps below:

Method 1. Reinstall Windows Defender:

Open the registry, then go to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender

Then delete the Windows Defender folder, restart the PC, and recheck it.

If none of the above solutions work, I suggest doing an in-place upgrade, which will update the device to the latest version and repair all issues without deleting any files.

Kindly follow the steps from this link:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/4252110/how-to-run-in-place-upgrade-in-windows-11

Shade 20 Reputation points

2026-04-18T04:43:52.9633333+00:00

I tired to do this but the setup is stuck at 46%

i tired deleting the folder but that didnt work either
Shade 20 Reputation points

2026-04-18T06:34:09.0833333+00:00

Well i left it and it worked but the problem is still not fix the error keeps apearing.

Answer 4

Hi, I'm Bernard. I'm happy to help!

This error occurs when there is a corrupted system file on your Security Health. To sort out the issue, kindly follow the steps below:

Method 1. Re-register the DLL file of Security Health:

Open Terminal (Admin) or Windows PowerShell(Admin) (Press Windows key + X then click Terminal(Admin))

Copy, paste, and enter the command below:

regsvr32 SecurityHealthSSO.dll

Restart the PC and check.

Method 2. Reset Windows Security app:

Open Terminal (Admin) or Windows PowerShell(Admin) (Press Windows key + X then click Terminal(Admin))

Copy, paste, and enter the command below:

Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.SecHealthUI -AllUsers | Reset-AppxPackage

Then hit Enter. Once the process is done, restart the PC and check.

Note: Please note that this is a public forum. I may respond within a short period of time, but I apologize in advance for any delays. I am simply a fellow user trying to provide helpful insights and information.

Shade 20 Reputation points

2026-04-15T12:56:32.73+00:00

Thank you for the reply. I dont mind the time as long as i can solve my problem. I tried both solutions and neither worked. This is what i got when i ran the first if thats any help

Answer 5

Error status 0xc000012f indicates a bad image (corrupted or invalid binary). For a system DLL such as SecurityHealthSSO.dll, use the standard Windows repair steps for corrupted system files and components:

Run System File Checker (SFC)
1. Open an elevated Command Prompt (Run as administrator).
2. Run:
```
      sfc /scannow
```
3. Wait for the scan to complete and follow any on-screen guidance.
SFC scans and repairs corrupted or missing Windows system files. For details on interpreting SFC results, see the guidance in the SFC-related article.
Repair component store with DISM If SFC reports corruption it cannot fix, or the error persists:
1. Open an elevated Command Prompt.
2. Run:
```
      Dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
```
3. After DISM completes, run sfc /scannow again.
This sequence (DISM then SFC) is the standard way to repair deeper corruption in Windows 10/11 system components.
Check disk and file system Corruption in the file system can also cause bad image errors:
1. In File Explorer, right-click the system drive (usually C:), select Properties.
2. Go to Tools → Error checking → Check and let Windows scan and repair file system errors.
3. Optionally, from an elevated Command Prompt, run:
```
      chkdsk C: /f /r
```
  and allow it to schedule on next restart. This can detect and repair structural disk/file system issues.
Ensure sufficient free disk space Keep at least 10–15% of the system drive free so Windows can maintain system files and updates properly.
Scan for malware Run a full scan with Windows Security and a reputable antimalware tool to ensure no malware is tampering with system binaries.
Consider in-place repair install If SFC/DISM and disk checks do not resolve the 0xc000012f error, perform an in-place upgrade/repair of Windows 11 using the latest installation media. This preserves apps and data while replacing system files.

If the problem continues after all of the above, backing up data and performing a full Windows reset or clean install may be required.

References:

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Problem with SecurityHealth - Bad image Error Status 0xc000012f

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