I had an issue w/ my Windows 7 not installing updates, and had M$ Support help me fix it. They did an upgrade to my windows, and this fixed the issue of not installing Windows Updates.

However, now Skyrim, along with most of my Steam games, won't start. When trying to start Skyrim via Steam I get "Failed to start game (Unknown Error).

When I try to start the game from the .exe using "Run as Administrator", I get :

“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”

Other games just simply crash immediately. These problems seem to be only true with games that were installed when the upgrade happened. Games that were not installed at that time can be reinstalled and work just fine.

Is anyone here familiar with this? I've never seen this error, and searches on it related to games is turning up next to nothing. I'm stumped. I'm considering calling M$ again, as the upgrade certainly caused this issue, but I'm hoping I could find a fix w/out spending any more time on the phone with them at this point.

I have tried uninstalling/reinstalling both Steam and Skyrim a few times and that's not helped. I have also deleted the appcache file and all the other files in the Programs(x86)/Steam directory as I've seen a few places online, but that didn't help either...

Try to verify your Game Cache Files. (https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=2037-QEUH-3335)

Install DirectX drivers again.... (http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/confirmation.aspx?id=8109)

But i doubt it will work. !!!!! (nevertheless, you should try. !!!!!)

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btw can you check if you have the SP1 update on your latest microsoft updates ?????

(Control Panel -> Windows update -> View update history)

If that's the case, and you other games not working either - i read over the net the only workaround is to install windows 7 again. !!!!! (only if you have that last SP1 update on your log file.)

But, do you know what's your real problem was, not been able installing windows updates ????

>>>>> (Consider you try a windows re-installment and facing the same problem...) <<<<<

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But, leave that for know. What you will do with your " The application has failed to start because its side-by-side configuration is incorrect " problem. !!!!!

How to Repair a Side-by-Side Configuration Error:

While using the Windows operating system, you may encounter an error that states: "This application has failed to start because its side by side configuration is incorrect."

Side by side configuration refers to a collection of resources -- such as Dynamic Link Libraries and interfaces -- that are always provided to applications together. Side by side errors can occur when one of these resources is missing.

Do, those steps: Instructions

1 Login to the Windows operating system using your administrator name and password.
2 Click "Start," "Control Panel," "System and Security," and "Administrative Tools."
3 Double-click "Event Viewer." The Event Viewer opens.
4 Click the arrow next to "Windows Logs," then click "Application" in the left pane of the Event Viewer.
5 Double-click the "Side by Side" error located under the "Source" heading of the Event Viewer. Note that you can click the "Source" heading to view the error list in alphabetical order. The Event Properties window opens.
6 Click the "General" tab of the Event Properties window and read the information to determine what resource you are missing.

For example, if the information states that "Microsoft.VC90.MFC, processorArchitecture="x86", publicKeyToken="1fc8b3b9a1e18e3b", type="win32", version="9.0.21022.8" could not be found,"

it means you are missing "9.0.21022.8 version of Microsoft.VC90.MFC" and you must download it.

If you are a less experienced user, click "Event Log Online Help." This will take you to a page that provides step by step instructions for how to fix your specific error. " ***

----- *** The last is not working for me, as i tried it out first, but you can try at least. (Maybe your error is different as mine) ----

IT SHOULD LOOKING SOMETHING LIKE THIS: http://imageshack.us/f/18/h1dg.jpg/