Fix Bad Image Error on Windows 10 – 2024 Guide
After an update, you double-click a program, an error message pops up, saying “C:\Windows\System32\filename is either not designed to run on Windows or it contains an error. Try installing the program again using the original installation media or contact your system administrator or the software vendor for support.”
If you’re running into the bad image error, chances are that certain supporting modules of the program you’re trying to run are corrupt because of the update; or, in some cases, it could be one of your system files that is conflicting with the program. But no worries. Try the solutions below.
Fixes to try:
You may not have to try them all; just work your way down the list until you find the one that does the trick for you.
- Repair corrupted system files
- Reinstall the problematic program
- Uninstall the Defective Windows update
Fix 1 – Repair corrupted system files
This issue may happen when certain system files are missing or corrupt. To see if this is the cause for you, there are two ways you can try to run a system scan and detect broken system files:
Use Fortect PC Repair
Fortect is a professional Windows repair tool that can scan your system’s overall status, diagnose your system configuration, identify faulty system files, and repair them automatically. It gives you entirely fresh system components with just one click, so you don’t have to reinstall Windows and all your programs, and you don’t lose any personal data or settings.
1) Download and install Fortect.
2) Run a free scan of your PC status. This may take a few minutes.
3) You can review a summary of the issues detected after the scan is finished. If there’s any problem, you have to buy the full version – which comes with a 60-day Money-Back Guarantee. Click START REPAIR to start the repair process.
Run System File Checker
You can also use the Windows built-in tool System File Checker to detect corrupt files and repair them.
- On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key, type command prompt, then select Run as Administrator. (If Windows prompts for permission, click OK to continue.)
- Type SFC /Scannow, and then press Enter.
- Type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth, and then press Enter.
- Run the affected program to test the issue after the verification is complete.
If the Bad Image error happens again, then move on and try the next fix.
Fix 2 – Reinstall the problematic program
You might run into the bad image error due to corrupt modules of that program. To see if that’s the problem for you, try reinstalling the program. Here’s how:
- On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and R at the same time.
- Type appwiz.cpl and click OK.
- Right-click the problematic program and click Uninstall.
- Reinstall the program on your computer to test the issue.
If the error persists, try the next fix below.
Fix 3 – Uninstall the defective Windows update
This error generally occurs after installing Windows updates. If that’s the case for you and you know which update is causing the issue, try manually uninstalling it. Follow the instructions below:
- On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and R at the same time.
- Type appwiz.cpl and click OK.
- Click View installed Updates.
- Right-click the defective update and select Uninstall.
Hopefully, one of the solutions above helped in resolving the error. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment below.