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Shim errors for the .NET Framework version and platform support

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Note This article introduces shim error messages. If you are an end-user, try the resolution when you encounter a shim error "You must enable the .NET Framework from the Windows Features dialog box." For any other shim errors, the target audience for the contents is the app vendor or developer, you have to contact the app vendor in order to let them know that there is a problem for this app.

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Error: "You must enable the .NET Framework from the Windows Features dialog box"

This application could not be started. You must enable the .NET Framework from the Windows Features dialog box (from Control Panel, choose Programs, Turn Windows features on or off).
This issue occurs because the app is not configured in a way that makes it possible to determine the appropriate version of the .NET Framework runtime. The corresponding shim code is SHIM_GOTO_CONTROLPANEL.
To resolve it, enable the .NET Framework 3.5 which is an operating system feature on Windows 7 and Windows 8.

For Windows 8
By default, the .NET Framework 3.5 is disabled on Windows 8. To enable it, follow these steps:
  1. At the Start screen, type the first few letters of Control Panel, and then choose Control Panel from the list of apps.
  2. In Control Panel, choose Programs. (Or choose Programs and Features, if you aren't using the default category view.)
  3. In Programs and Features, choose Turn Windows features on or off to open the Windows Features dialog box.
  4. In Windows Features, select the .NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0) check box, and then choose OK.

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The information and the solution in this document represent the current view of Microsoft Corporation on these issues as of the date of publication. This solution is available through Microsoft or a third-party provider. We do not specifically recommend any third-party provider or third-party solution that this article might describe. There might also be other third-party providers or third-party solutions that this article does not describe. Because we must respond to changing market conditions, this information should not be interpreted as a commitment by Microsoft. We cannot guarantee or endorse the accuracy of any information or of any solution that is presented by Microsoft or by any mentioned third-party provider.

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Error: "This application could not be started"

This application could not be started.
The app is not configured in a way that makes it possible to determine the appropriate version of the .NET Framework runtime. The corresponding shim code is SHIM_NOVERSION_FOUND.
You can't fix the configuration problem yourself. Contact the app vendor to resolve the issue.

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Error: "It relies on a .NET Framework version that is not supported on this device"

This application could not be started. It relies on a .NET Framework version that is not supported on this device.
This issue occurs because the app was not built to run on this device. For example, you may be trying to run an app that is built for an Intel processor on a device that uses an ARM processor. The corresponding shim code is SHIM_UNSUPPORTED_PLATFORM.
You can't fix the configuration problem yourself. Contact the app vendor to install the appropriate version of the app.

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About shim error messages

When you start a Microsoft .NET Framework application, a shim program determines which version of the common language runtime (CLR) to load, loads it, and starts the application. If the shim encounters an error (for example, if it can't find a compatible version of the .NET Framework on the computer), it displays an error message with instructions. This article provides information about the error codes SHIM_NOVERSION_FOUND, SHIM_GOTO_CONTROLPANEL, and SHIM_UNSUPPORTED_PLATFORM.

For more information about the .NET Framework initialization errors, go and see the following MSDN Webpage:

The .NET Framework initialization errors: managing the user experience

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Keywords: kbquadranttechsupp, kbconsumer, kbsurveynew, kbtshoot, kbexpertiseinter, kb

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Article Info
Article ID : 2715633
Revision : 1
Created on : 1/7/2017
Published on : 12/8/2015
Exists online : False
Views : 729