How to fix "The code execution cannot proceed because FVEAPI.dll was not found" appear when I wanted to reset my pc through recovery option

Question

I wanted to reset my pc through recovery option and I've run commands like sfc scan and dism but it doesn't fix my problem and I wanted to reset because my windows defender and security got corrupted

Answer 1

Hi,

If you want to reinstall Windows using the ISO or USB method, this error is due to a registry failure that prevents the missing DLLs from being loaded to start the process.

If you don't want to keep anything, back up your important files and follow the procedure below:

Remember, this procedure will reinstall Windows by formatting the C drive.

https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=691209

Select Download tool now, and select Run. You need to be an administrator to run this tool.

If you agree to the license terms, select Accept.

On the What do you want to do? page, select Create installation media for another PC, and then select Next.

The application will automatically identify the correct version of windows 10 for your system, from Next.

Select which media you want to use ISO file. Save an ISO file to your PC

Wait for the application to perform the iso download and after finishing the download it will close automatically.

After downloading, find the Windows 10 ISO file on your PC, right-click and select “Mount”. If the option is not available, select “Open With” and “Windows Explorer”

1. Run the “Setup” application, present inside the Windows 10 ISO, to start the installation on the PC.
2. With the ISO files folder open, click on the “Setup” executable to continue installing Windows 10.
3. After that, a Get Important Updates window will appear along with the two options Select: Not now
4. Uncheck the box I want to help improve your Windows installation to skip sending unknown data to Microsoft about the installation process Next
5. After that, a License Terms window will pop up, here you have to click on the Accept button.

6.Now another “Choose what to keep” window or “Ready to install” window will pop up.

At this point, you need to change some settings. Click the “Change what to keep” link

1. You can now see the “Choose what to keep” window along with the three options given below:

Select Nothing.

Then click on the Next button.

Finally, the Ready to Install window will appear along with the Install button.

In this step, you have to click on the Install button to start reinstalling Windows 10.

During this process, your computer or laptop may restart sometimes.

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Thanks

Answer 2

The missing FVEAPI.dll and corrupted security components indicate system file corruption that SFC and DISM did not fully resolve. Use the built‑in repair and reset options in this order:

1. Run DISM correctly before SFC
   1. Open an elevated Command Prompt (Run as administrator).
   2. Run:

            DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
      

      Wait for it to complete.
   3. Then run:

            sfc /scannow
      

      Wait for verification to reach 100% and note the result.
   If SFC reports “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them,” or “did not find any integrity violations,” try the reset again from Settings.
2. If reset from Settings still fails, reset from Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) Use Reset this PC, which keeps or removes personal files while reinstalling Windows system files (including Defender components):
   1. Access Windows RE (for example, from the sign‑in screen or via advanced startup).
   2. In Windows RE, select:
      • Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
   3. Choose:
      • Keep my files (to keep personal files but remove apps and settings), or Remove everything if a full wipe is acceptable.
   4. Choose Cloud download (recommended for the freshest system files) or Local reinstall.
   5. Follow the on‑screen instructions and do not power off or force restart during the process. The screen may stay black for several minutes and the device may restart multiple times.
   This reset will reinstall Windows and should restore FVEAPI.dll and Windows Security/Defender components.
3. If reset from Settings is still available If Windows RE is hard to reach but Settings opens:
   1. Open Settings > System > Recovery.
   2. Under Recovery options, select Reset PC.
   3. Choose the same options as above (Keep my files/Remove everything, Cloud download/Local reinstall) and complete the reset.

If the reset options fail repeatedly, a full factory reset or clean install from external media would be the next step, but that is beyond the provided context.

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References:

• Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files
• Reset your PC