is it ok to install Microsoft Visual c++ (x86) on 64 bit machine?

[Jay Fora]

Hi, tried to install a sticky notes app called 'stickies, on my laptop, so I can put reminders on my screen, and got the following error message - 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.
I didn't follow instructions about command line, as that's out of my depth.
I got the following response from the developer, and as all the versions of Microsoft Visual C++ on my Win 7 64bit machine are (X64), I would like to know if I can safely install an (x86) version alongside, as he advises? Thanks, Jay

KB00085 - Error about side-by-side configuration being incorrect

When you try to install, or run Stickies you get an error message:
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.
Fix
Download and install the Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable Package (x86)
Explanation
Stickies 8 (and its installer) is written in Visual Studio 2008, and it uses MFC. The files which this compiler produces are reliant on some library files which can be found either already in Windows, or at the above link. If you're interested, they can be found at c:\windows\winsxs in these directories:
x86_Microsoft.VC90.CRT_1fc8b3b9a1e18e3b_9.0.30729.4148_x-ww_d495ac4e
x86_Microsoft.VC90.MFCLOC_1fc8b3b9a1e18e3b_9.0.30729.4148_x-ww_15fc9313
x86_Microsoft.VC90.MFC_1fc8b3b9a1e18e3b_9.0.30729.4148_x-ww_a57c1f53

Depending on the version of Windows you're using, the reason for their absence is different:

• Windows 8 64-bit: The library files which Stickies relies on are present in a fresh install of all versions of Windows from XP onwards, except Windows 8 64-bit. They're there in Windows 7 64-bit, and in Windows 8 32-bit ... but not Windows 8 64-bit. If I ever got the chance, I'd like to ask someone at MS why this is.
• Any other version: Something is (probably) wrong with your side-by-side configuration. All other versions of Windows have the above files installed by default - I know because I installed them all to check! Something has changed on your setup which has affected SXS. Luckily, the above download solves the issue.

There are a number of other resources on the web which further explain side by side - here's an article by Gaurav Patole on MSDN, and here's another explanation by David Lenihan.

 

[maxie]

Hi there .. I have both Installed on my Windows 8.. Might have on Windows 7 too but can not check now ..

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi and welcome to SevenForums,
Your referring to a windows update released via the windows update system,
So please check for updates,
Cheers.

 

[Alejandro85]

It's completely normal, safe, and even necessary (as you're just seeing) to have BOTH on x64 systems. Just install it from the link you've given, the program should start correctly after that.

Reason for needing both is that x86 programs can only make use of the x86 runtime, and the x64 programs can only use the x64 runtime, they're not interchangeable.

 

[andrew129260]

Hi, tried to install a sticky notes app called 'stickies, on my laptop, so I can put reminders on my screen....

Did you ever try sticky notes that comes with windows 7 and avoids this whole mess? Click rb: type sticky notes in the search.

Or what about the vista gadget that works on windows 7, sticky notes? See attached