ArcGIS Pro 3.3 crashing at start up.

[BillSmith]

Hello,

I just uninstalled Pro 3.5 and went back to 3.3 to test with the version that our customer is using.  When I try to start Pro it crashes.  If I open the error report I get the message.  System.IO.FileNotFoundException: 'Could not load file or assembly 'ArcGIS.Desktop.Core, Version=13.4.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=8fc3cc631e44ad86'. The system cannot find the file specified.'

I unregistered our Addin to make sure that wasn't it.  It was working fine in a later version (3.5) but it was compiled against 3.3 (3.3 was installed at the time).  We always build our Addin against the earliest compatible release (3.3 for .NET8, 3.0 for .NET 6)

When I go look at the file in question it says it is version 13.3.1.52636  My question is when is 13.4 introduced? 3.4?  Also, any insights into what would cause the crash?  I sent Error reports in.

Attaching the dump file (zipped) and a screen shot of the error in VS2022

Thanks,

-Bill

[RyanUthoff · Accepted solution]

I've installed higher versions of ArcGIS Pro and then uninstalled and reinstalled lower versions of ArcGIS Pro on several occasions, and I haven't experienced your issue. My only thought on what could be causing it to crash is some remnant of 3.5 got left behind during the uninstall and now that's messing up 3.3.

It's possible a "clean uninstall" of ArcGIS Pro will fix your issue. At least, that is what I would try next. https://support.esri.com/en-us/knowledge-base/how-to-perform-a-clean-uninstall-and-reinstall-of-arcg...

[Robert_LeClair]

If the clean uninstall/reinstall does not work, I strongly suggest you contact Esri Support Services to assist you in this matter.  They will be able to help you quickly!

[BillSmith]

Thanks for the suggestion.  It got me thinking and while I did uninstall our Add-in I do have the community samples downloaded.  I built the solution against 3.3 quite some time ago, but last year I was examining one of the samples (testing, building) and I must have had 3.4 installed when I did it.  For  some reason that sample was now causing a crash while starting up in version 3.3.  Aha!! I just opened the entire solution, did a build clean, and now ArcGIS Pro 3.3 starts up.

Thank you to Ryan and Robert!!!!!