MS SQL Server 2008 "Side-By-Side Configuration" Error

Solution for MS SQL Server 2008 : Side by Side Configuration

An error to this effect kept showing up each time I tried to run MS SQL SERVER 2008 R2:

“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.”

Solution

Step 1:

Find the Ssms.exe.config file on your machine.

It is found here:

i) C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Tools\Binn\VSShell\Common7\IDE - 64 bit Windows 7.
ii) C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Tools\Binn\VSShell\Common7\IDE - 32 bit Windows 7.

Step 2:

• Rename the exiting Ssms.exe.config file to Ssms.exe.configxxx.

Step 3:

• Use notepad.exe (Press Start and type "notepad.exe" + press enter) to create a new  Ssms.exe.config file.

Save it here:

i) C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Tools\Binn\VSShell\Common7\IDE - 64 bit Windows 7.
ii) C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Tools\Binn\VSShell\Common7\IDE - 32 bit Windows 7.

Yes, you are just saving an empty file, stay with me. :)

Step 4:

Copy the XML code below and paste it into your new Ssms.exe.config file.  Save.

Step 5:

Open SQL Server 2008 R2 as "Administrator" of your computer. This allows the programs to re-register certain components.

Download the ssms.exe.config file from PoTools

Download