Can't open SQL Server Management Studio 18 - "MRU Package did not load correctly" and "Cannot create the window"

Kurka 1 Reputation point
2020-09-20T03:48:48.1+00:00

This issue is driving me crazy. I can't open SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) 18. When I try to open it I get the follow things:

  • Starts fine with the small window that says "Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio v18.6"...
  • But then I get an error window saying:
    "The 'MRU Package' package did not load correctly.
    The problem may have been caused by a configuration change or by the installation of another extension"...
  • After that I get another error window saying:
    "Cannot create the window".
    Here's an Imgur link with pictures of the errors: xxz0OOn

And that's it. I can't open SSMS.

Things I've already did/tried:

  1. Installed SSMS 18
  2. Installed SQL Server 2019
  3. Uninstalled Visual Studio 2017
  4. Installed Visual Studio 2019
  5. Re-installed SQL Server 2019
  6. Repair installation of SSMS 18
  7. Re-installed SSMS 18
  8. Installed Visual Shell 2015
  9. Rebooted PC several times

I don't know what else to do. I've been struggling with this since yesterday. I've searched for solutions but couldn't find anything that solves the problem.

Hope someone can help me. Thanks in advance.

Azure SQL Database
SQL Server
SQL Server
A family of Microsoft relational database management and analysis systems for e-commerce, line-of-business, and data warehousing solutions.
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2 answers

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  1. Viorel 112.5K Reputation points
    2020-09-20T08:22:17.84+00:00

    If nothing works and you have time, then maybe try the next method, in this order:

    • Uninstall all products, all versions: SSMS, SQL Server, Visual Studio, Data Tools and other components that are related to SQL and Visual Studio, or which are not needed. Use Control Panel, Uninstall to view the products.
    • Restart the computer, go to Settings and apply all of updates, if any.
    • Restart the computer and install the latest SSMS, which is 18.6.
    • Check if SSMS works; try accessing some external database, if any.
    • Install SQL Server 2019, check if you can access it from SSMS.
    • Install Visual Studio, etc.
  2. Erland Sommarskog 101.4K Reputation points MVP
    2020-09-20T09:34:52.657+00:00

    It's not uncommon to see posts where people cannot use or install SSMS, but thankfully I have never encountered this myself, so I don't have any good tricks to recommend. But a few observations:

    -- SSMS 18 is independent of SQL Server, so there is no reason to uninstall SQL 2019. It is unlikely that the problem is here.
    -- SSMS 18 is based on the VS 2017 shell as I recall.
    -- It appears that problems like this are often related to issues with the .NET installation, so you could look up .NET Framework in Programs and Features and perform a repair.
    -- And then we should never rule out that the issue may be with an over-zealous anti-malware program. At least if you have something else than Windows Defender.