Unable to open up Windows Security due to Bad image

Question

Unable to open up Windows Security due to Bad image

Abdul 0

Screenshot 2026-03-30 190815 Hi, I’m currently facing a “bad image” error on Windows that seems to be related to a corrupted or missing DLL file (version 1.0.2303.28002.0).

So far, I’ve tried the following fixes:

Ran DISM and SFC scans to repair system files, but the issue still persists.
Attempted a workaround by creating/replacing the corrupted DLL file manually in the C drive (Temp location), but it didn’t resolve the error.

The problem is still ongoing, and it’s affecting certain system features (e.g., Windows Security not opening properly).

Has anyone encountered something similar or knows a reliable fix for this?

Heard reinstalling Windows might help but hoping not to reinstall windows just for this issue.

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Answer 1

Estrella721 36,545 Independent Advisor

Hi,

A “Bad Image” error related to a DLL, especially when it affects Windows Security, usually means a system component or app package is corrupted, and since SFC and DISM didn’t fix it, you’ll need to go a bit deeper, but you still don’t have to reinstall Windows right away.

1. Reset and repair Windows Security

Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps

Find Windows Security

Click Advanced options

Click Repair, then Reset

Restart your PC

Or

Right-click your Start Menu and choose Windows PowerShell (Admin)

Copy and paste the command below and hit Enter:

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

Let the process finish, then restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.

2. Please check if you have any third-party antivirus software installed on your computer, such as AdwCleaner, Avast, or similar applications. If you do, uninstall them completely, restart your computer, and then check if the issue is resolved.

3. If that fails, the next step is to try System Recovery without deleting your files and apps.

Click the Start menu > Settings > System > Recovery.

Choose Reinstall Now under the section labeled 'Fix problems using Windows Update.'

Once completed, your system will restart. Please check afterward.

Estrella721 36,545 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-31T02:56:06.41+00:00

I see you marked the answer as not helpful right away. It usually takes time to perform up to the third method. Did you try them all?
Abdul 0 Reputation points

2026-03-31T02:56:57.02+00:00
Hi Estrella721,

I’ve actually already tried all of the steps you mentioned, but unfortunately the issue is still not resolved:

Reset and re-registered Windows Security (including running the PowerShell command for Microsoft.SecHealthUI)

Checked for and removed any third-party antivirus software

Performed the “Fix problems using Windows Update” (in-place repair)

Despite all of this, I’m still getting the “Bad Image” error related to the DLL file, and Windows Security is still not opening/working properly. The last solution i found and haven't tried is reinstalling windows.
Abdul 0 Reputation points

2026-03-31T03:03:38.4366667+00:00

Hi Estrella,

apologies for not stating the rest of the solutions i have tried but yes i did tried all the said solutions before and still did not work.
Estrella721 36,545 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-31T06:40:40.6233333+00:00

Based on your explanation, it seems that you have already tried many available troubleshooting steps. I was hoping that fixing the problem using Windows Update (in-place repair) would resolve the issue, but it did not.

In this case, your last option is to perform a PC reset or a clean installation of the Windows operating system.

Please note that this process will delete all your data and files, so make sure to back everything up before proceeding.

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Unable to open up Windows Security due to Bad image

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