How do I fix error 0xc0000005?

WindowsMillennial 145 Reputation points
2026-08-05T06:30:06.3766667+00:00

I am encountering an error any time I try to start an installation .exe on my Windows computers, one is Windows 7 64 bit and the other is Windows 11 64 bit. The error occurs on them both when trying to install the same program.

The error message is:

programname.exe Application Error

The Application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000005).

Click OK to close the application.

I have seen complaints and questions about this issue from 10+ years ago to 1 year ago, yet no one has a solution. What is causing this issue and how do I fix it?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Apps
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  1. Vikki-T 8,055 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-08-05T11:00:18.5866667+00:00

    Hi WindowsMillennial,

    I understand how frustrating this must be, especially since the same error occurs on both your Windows 7 and Windows 11 computers.

    The error code 0xc0000005 generally indicates an access violation, meaning the application attempted to access memory incorrectly. However, because the problem occurs with the same installer on two different computers, the installation file itself, the program’s compatibility or a missing required component may be involved.

    Could you please clarify the following?

    • What is the name and version of the program you are trying to install?
    • Did you download the installer directly from the software developer’s official website?
    • Can you run other .exe installers normally on both computers?
    • Does the program’s website confirm that this version supports both Windows 7 and Windows 11?

    In the meantime, please try these steps:

    • Delete the current installer and download a fresh copy from the developer’s official website.
    • Right-click the downloaded file, select Properties and check Unblock if that option appears. Then select Apply.
    • Right-click the installer and choose Run as administrator.
    • Check whether the developer offers another installer, such as a 32-bit, 64-bit or offline version.

    If a newly downloaded copy fails in exactly the same way on both computers, I would also recommend checking with the program’s developer, as the installer may be damaged, incompatible or missing a required dependency. Thank you so much for your understanding.     


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