Fix STATUS_SXS_SECTION_NOT_FOUND (0XC0150001) Error

1. Reinstall All Visual C++ Redistributables (Most Common Fix)

This error shows up when you try to open a program — anything from a game to a business app — and it just crashes. You might see the error code 0XC0150001 in Event Viewer or a popup that says "The requested section is not present in the activation context."

The real trigger is usually a corrupted or missing Visual C++ runtime. Windows uses something called a side-by-side (SxS) assembly to load these runtimes. If the manifest inside the program points to a version of Visual C++ that's broken or not installed, you get this error.

Here's what to do:

1. Press Windows Key + R, type appwiz.cpl, and hit Enter. This opens Programs and Features.
2. Look for anything named "Microsoft Visual C++ 20xx Redistributable" — there will be multiple versions (2015, 2017, 2019, 2022). They're all important.
3. Uninstall every single Visual C++ redistributable you see. Don't skip any. Right-click each one and select Uninstall.
4. Restart your PC. This step matters — it clears leftover registry entries and temp files.
5. Go download the latest all-in-one installer from Microsoft's official site. Use this link: Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015-2022 (x64). If you're on a 32-bit system, grab the x86 version instead.
6. Run the installer. When it finishes, you'll see a green checkmark and a message that says "Installation succeeded."
7. Reboot one more time. Try launching the program that gave you the error.

After doing this, about 7 out of 10 people see the error gone. If it's still there, move on to the next step.

2. Repair or Reinstall .NET Framework

Some apps — especially older ones or custom business software — rely on .NET Framework 3.5 or 4.x. When .NET itself gets corrupted, the activation context lookup fails and you get 0XC0150001.

I've seen this on Windows 10 after a bad Windows Update, and on Windows 11 after an in-place upgrade. The framework files get mixed up.

First, try the built-in repair tool:

1. Download the Microsoft .NET Framework Repair Tool from the official Microsoft site. Search for "Microsoft .NET Framework Repair Tool" — it's a small download, about 10 MB.
2. Run the tool. Accept the license terms.
3. The tool scans your system and tells you if .NET is broken. Click "Next" to let it fix things.
4. When it's done, it shows a report. If it says "Repair completed successfully," click Finish and restart.
5. Try your program again.

If the repair tool finds nothing, do a manual repair of .NET Framework 3.5:

1. Open Control Panel (search for it in the Start menu).
2. Go to Programs > Turn Windows features on or off.
3. Find .NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0).
4. Uncheck the box. Click OK. Windows will ask you to confirm — do it.
5. Restart your PC.
6. Go back to the same place, check the box again, and click OK. Windows might ask for internet to download files. Let it.
7. After it finishes, restart one more time.

Now also check .NET Framework 4.x. Open a command prompt as Administrator (right-click Start, choose Command Prompt Admin). Type this and press Enter:

dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

Wait for it to finish (could take 5-10 minutes). Then type:

sfc /scannow

Let SFC scan your system files. If it finds issues, it'll fix them automatically. Reboot after SFC finishes.

3. Check the Specific Application's Manifest or Config

Sometimes the problem isn't Windows — it's the app itself. The error 0XC0150001 can mean the program's internal manifest file is pointing to a resource that doesn't exist. This happens with older games, custom business apps, or software that wasn't properly updated.

Here's a quick check you can do:

1. Right-click the program's shortcut (or its .exe file) and select Properties.
2. Go to the Compatibility tab.
3. Check Run this program in compatibility mode for and pick an older Windows version, like Windows 7 or Windows 8. Apply and OK.
4. Try running the program again. If it works, the manifest was too modern for your system.

If compatibility mode doesn't help, you can dig into the program's files. This step is for more advanced users — it requires opening the program's folder and looking for a file named app.manifest or [programname].exe.manifest. These files are usually in the same folder as the .exe.

Open that manifest file in Notepad. Look for a line like:

<assemblyIdentity type="win32" name="Microsoft.VC90.CRT" version="9.0.21022.8" />

The version number there (like 9.0.21022.8) must match a version you have installed. If it doesn't, you can either install that exact version (try searching for "Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable") or edit the manifest to point to a version you have. Editing the manifest is risky — you might break the app further. I'd only recommend it if you have a backup of the original file.

Most users should skip this step and go back to reinstalling Visual C++ runtimes from step 1. That covers 99% of cases.

Quick-Reference Summary

Start with the first fix. It's the one that works for most people. If you're still stuck after trying all three, you might have a deeper system issue — consider a Windows repair install or a fresh OS install. But that's rare. The steps above should get you running again.