0xc0000020 error on start (DLL error) with all ArcGIS products on Windows 10.

[RosemaryAlles]

This question has been asked several times, without a satisfactory response regarding a solution, I am asking again, in the hope that *someone* has a solution: (other than reinstalling Windows) 

 I am running ArcGIS 10.5.1 on Windows 10. And have not had any problems for years except this one, which started 2 days ago; since then, I have repaired, uninstalled, reinstalled to no avail. ArcGIS runs happily for a while and when closed it is always questionable if it can be opened again without a problem; generally it WILL open, however, I can almost guarantee that if I power down the computer and restart it - ArcGIS will fail with this error message - see below: (several pop ups related to different DLLs, all of whose sizes appears to have shrunk to zero). 

++++++++++++++++++++++++
Error message:

"C:\Program Files (x86)\ArcGIS\Desktop 10.5\bin\AppInitializerLib.dll is either not designed to run on Windows or it contains an error try reinstalling the program ... Error status: Oxc0000020"
++++++++++++++++++++++++

The only change to the computer are the auto updates by windows, I have a suspicion that updates may be causing a problem? I am not sure. Weirdly this seem to happen (although I am not 100% sure) during the window of time that the computer is designated not to be active, and ergo, updates are possible. I have run a malware checker, virus checker and file system checker, all which tell me that the system is ok; the problem appears *only* affect ArcGIS so far...

[MichaelVolz]

I would recommend disabling auto-updates on your computer running production processes.  See if you can have a test computer where you can test Windows updates against ArcGIS 10.5.1 to see if the update causes problems before applying the updates to your production machine(s).

Auto-updating of browsers such as Google Chrome has caused issues for my organization in the past, so we no longer allow auto-updating of Google Chrome.  Not exactly the same issue as you, but auto-updating is the common thread.

[RosemaryAlles]

Thank you Michael, that's a good recommendation,

How does one disable ALL auto updates of all applications (including

windows 10?). Are you recommending that - on a production machine - all

browsers and windows updates should be disabled?

Thanks much for the response.

Warmly,

rosemary

Software Engineer

Mountain View

CA 94040

Core strategist & Co-founder

*The Global March for Elephants and Rhinos

<http://march4elephantsandrhinos.org>*

<http://www.marchforelephants.org/> <http://march4elephantsandrhinos.org/>

<http://www.cannedlion.org>

[MichaelVolz]

I would talk to the person(s) at your organization who would handle this task. Someone other than myself handles this task at my organization so I'm unsure how to do it.  Googling "disable auto-updates" might help you out though.

[DanPatterson_Retired]

I see you contacted the other thread about whether there was any resolution there.  It would also be a good idea just to file a tech support ticket... the more reports, the more likely that these issues will be resolved.

BTW... We have had so much trouble in our teaching labs with Chrome... we have banished it as a browser...  It was causing issues with other software beyond the Arc* suite.

[AnnaBrenes1]

I have the same issue. I just installed 10.5.1, have Windows 10, and get the same error message when opening previously saved MXDs. I've reinstalled 2xs now and continue to get the same error. I'll try disabling automatic Windows updates to see if that works.

[RogerBarnaby]

I have a similar problem. I have Windows 10, just reinstalled ArcGIS 10.5.1 and ArcGIS Pro 2 and get this message when I try to open ArcGIS Pro

"C:\Program Files\ArcGIS\Pro\bin\harfbuzz-vs14.dll is either not designed to run on Windows or it contains an error. Try installing the program again using the original installation medio or contact your system administrator or the software vendor for support. Error status 0xc0000020."

Roger

[RosemaryAlles]

Dear Roger,

Your best bet is to reinstall windows, believe me, I tried everything.

Also, please lodge an "incident ticket" with ESRI. This is a serious and

ongoing problem that is not being addressed by ESRI.

I wasted a great deal of time trying everything else (nothing worked); an

incompatibility "somewhere" causes a problem with the registry - corrupting

it; that's my guess. I lodged a ticket with ESRI - they couldn't help me;

finally I reinstalled windows, which worked, but I am not convinced that it

will stay "fixed" for long; updates may cause a problem. Currently, I have

updates turned off.

Good luck.

Warmly,

rosemary

Software Engineer

Mountain View

CA 94040

Core strategist & Co-founder

*The Global March for Elephants and Rhinos

<http://march4elephantsandrhinos.org>*

<http://www.marchforelephants.org/> <http://march4elephantsandrhinos.org/>

<http://www.cannedlion.org>

[RogerBarnaby]

Rosemary

Thank you for this information. I lodged a ticket with ESRI, waiting to hear back from them.

My computer came installed with windows 10, so I'm not even sure how to reinstall windows. I don't have a dvd. The only way to turn off windows updates in 10 is to set my connection to metered. But then, I worry about not getting security updates.

I will update you if I discover a solution to this problem.

Roger

[DanPatterson_Retired]

if the copy is legit and registered, apparently.... large pause .... you can reinstall from their site.  I wish someone could confirm, but that would be worth a check.  I never got a dvd either, but I registered .