"Unable to execute the embedded application" error when you try to install the Microsoft Azure backup agent

Original product version:   Azure Backup, Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter, Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise, Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation, Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard
Original KB number:   2934202

Symptoms

When you try to install the Microsoft Azure backup agent on a server that's running Windows Server 2008 R2, the attempt fails. Additionally, you receive the following error message:

Unable to execute the embedded application to complete the installation.

Note

This problem is known to occur with a virtual machine (VM) from a Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter SP1 image that was created from the image gallery. However, this same VM works as expected on Windows Server 2012.

Cause

This problem occurs because of an issue with Microsoft .VC90.CRT. To fix the problem, you must install the previous version of the Visual C++ runtime.

When this problem occurs, the following is logged in the Application log, and this indicates that Microsoft.VC90.CRT is the problem:

Log Name: Application
Source: SideBySide
Date: **date** **time**  
Event ID: 33
Task Category: None
Level: Error
Keywords: Classic
User: N/A
Computer: **computer_name**  
Description:
Activation context generation failed for "F:\e703768b6b4e0b79707d1228d22c236d\CBPSetup.exe". Dependent Assembly Microsoft.VC90.CRT,processorArchitecture="amd64",publicKeyToken="1fc8b3b9a1e18e3b",type="win32",version="9.0.21022.8" could not be found. Please use sxstrace.exe for detailed diagnosis.
You may also receive the following error message:

ERROR: Cannot resolve reference Microsoft.VC90.CRT,processorArchitecture="amd64",publicKeyToken="1fc8b3b9a1e18e3b",type="win32",version="9.0.21022.8".
ERROR: Activation Context generation failed.

Resolution

To resolve this problem, you must install the Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable Package (x64). Installing the latest version of the Visual C++ runtime does not fix this problem.

Contact us for help

If you have questions or need help, create a support request, or ask Azure community support. You can also submit product feedback to Azure feedback community.