Side-by-side configuration incorrect

Question

I tried opening Word, Excel, Settings and the Control Panel today. On each attempt, I got "SIde-by-side configuration incorrect." I tried downloading VC_redist.x64.exe and running it, but got the same error. I can't get to the Control Panel to uninstall anything.

I also tried running sfc /scannow but it came back with something like "problems but can't fix anything"

I ran sxstrace.exe but can't interpret the results, except that dlls and manifests don't seem to be found for anything it checked.

I haven't recently downloaded/installed anything

VIsual Basic is not nor has ever been installed on this laptop.

What else can I try?

Answer 1

@Rebecca Jones

According to your description, the issue seems to be more related to Windows, but the tag "office-deployment" focus on general Office deployment issues, to better help you, I would suggest you post a new thread with the Windows tags on Q&A forum, such as "windows-10-general". Thanks for your understanding.

Following information is my personal suggestion, you may have a look.

1. Please make sure Windows system does not run into Safe Mode.
2. Besides, I suggest you check the status of the Windows Modules Installer.
   Press Win + R, type services.msc in Run box to open the Services windows.
   If the Windows Modules Installer service is disabled. Please double click it, then you may change the Startup type to Manual and click Start to enable it, click OK and reboot PC to check the issue.
   
3. You could also try to refer to the following 2 threads.
   The application has failed to start because the side by side configuration is incorrect Windows 10
   How to solve side_by_side configuration is incorrect

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