Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio error at startup

Question

I get this error when I try to run Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio:

The application has failed to start because its side-by-side configuration is incorrect. Please see the application event log or use the command-line sxstrace.exe tool for more detail.

SxSTrace detail:

1, 2

What I did for solving the problem:

• reinstalled SQL Server
• reinstalled Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio
• updated at recent version of .NET Framework
• reinstalled Visual C++ Redistributable

And I still get that same error.

What should I do?

Answer 1

I did the following to solve this error.

Copied all the files and folders from the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 18\ from a working machine and pasted on the server which was having issue.

Once the copying was completed, I it started appearing in Add or remove programs @ control panel.

Post copy SSMS started working normally.

Answer 2

I had the same error with version 18.9.2. I don't know if it's related to the problem, but I firstly installed SSMS in Program Files and not in Program Files (x86).

First I have tried to repair the installation, with no success.

Then I have uninstalled SSMS, rebooted by PC, re-installed SSMS (this time in the default Program Files (x86) folder) and rebooted my PC again. After these steps, I was able to start SSMS without errors.

Answer 3

Uninstalling did not work.

Upgrading (Installing newer version or same version) did not work.

What worked:

1. delete or rename “C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 18”

2. delete registry manually or via .reg file

   reg DELETE “HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio” /reg:32)

Afterwards, installing SSMS worked without a flaw and it started.

Found at https://social.msdn.microsoft.com/forums/en-US/7ab37d2b-6bac-4221-b827-d274b00b9a56/ssms-18-how-to-uninstall?forum=sqlkjmanageability&prof=required, similar to https://superuser.com/a/1440276/146668 .

Answer 4

I removed the following Sql related ones from the control panel.

Then i followed these steps

https://stackoverflow.com/a/66085979/16391774

I reinstalled the same version (at present latest version v18.12.1 and i used it version) and my problem was solved.

Answer 5

I solved it by having the application repair itself.

1. Click to Search
2. Enter Add or remove programs
3. Find application
4. Click on it and click Uninstall that appears
5. Click Repair

Answer 6

you should install an earlier version. I had the same error and I installed version 18.5 and it worked just fine.

https://learn.microsoft.com/pt-br/sql/ssms/release-notes-ssms?view=sql-server-ver15#185