How to Fix Bad Image Status Error 0xc0000020 on Windows 11/10

Several users complained of receiving an error code 0xc0000020 when they tried opening certain applications on their PCs. This indicates that the apps that you were attempting to start must have been damaged or corrupted. If this occurs after a recent Windows update, visit the Control Panel, and uninstall that particular security/optional patch update.

A Bad image error code 0xc0000020 might also appear when either system files are gone missing or due to an outdated Windows Image. To fix it then, uninstall the buggy software, and perform scans like – SFC, DISM, etc.

What causes Error 0xc0000020 on Windows 11/10

The error 0xc0000020 mostly occurs after a buggy software installation, missing system files, or corrupted Windows Image. When this appears, you may get the following error message as well –

C:\Windows\System32\XXXXX.dll is either not designed to run on Windows or it contains an error. Try installing the program again using the original installation media or contact your system administrator or the software vendor for support. Error status 00xc0000020.

Let’s have a look at the description of each method that should fix this error code 0xc0000020.

Bad Image Error Status 0xc0000020 Solutions

To solve Bad Image Error Status 0xc0000020 on Windows 11/10, go through the below list of suggestions –

1. Uninstall Problematic Applications

If you encountered this error just after installing some application on your computer, better uninstall that first. After removing the recently installed software from your device, restart your PC so that any residual or leftover files are deleted as well.

Sign back into your system and check if this helps resolve the error code 0xc0000020. In case you have updated your Windows 11/10 OS recently, ensure uninstalling the latest patch updates as well.

2. Perform a DISM Scan

If you have not installed any program on your computer recently and are still facing this issue, the system image must have become corrupted somehow. Without going into any further details, check if you can resolve this by repairing your Windows Image. To do so, take the help of an in-built tool ‘DISM’. Here’s how this process goes –

Press Win + X, and select Windows PowerShell (Admin). If you are on Windows 11, select Windows Terminal (Admin) instead.
The User Account Control window will appear next, tap Yes to authorize accessing the chosen console.
On the PowerShell window, execute the below codes one after another.

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

The whole scanning/repairing process via DISM takes 15-20 minutes, so wait patiently. You may minimize the ongoing scan and continue with some other work.
When this is over, reboot your PC.

I hope this fixes the bad image error 0xc0000020 on your device, and you may create or use restore points.

3. Run SFC Scan

At times, this error simply occurs just because a few files went missing or have been damaged on your computer. In such a case, you may fix this anomaly by using the System File Checker utility program. Here’s how to go for an SFC scan on Windows 11/10 –

Open Command Prompt having admin rights.
When it does open up, copy/paste the below code, and press Enter –

sfc /scannow

Very similar to the DISM scan, this will also take 15-20 minutes to find and repair corrupt files on your device.
When it displays the message – “Verification 100% complete“, type exit and press Enter.

Restart your PC next and see if the issue resolves when you log back into your computer.

4. Re-register DLL Files

In case the error 0xc0000020 is still occurring, this might be due to the presence of some corrupted DLL files. Windows operating system uses DLLs just to reduce overall memory overhead when two or more applications are using the same system resources. Go and re-register the more commonly used DLL files like olmapi21.dll and wininet.dll, and see if it indeed solves the problem.

If the error remains unresolved, proceed with the next solution.

5. Use System Restore Points

Though this is a bad image error and should not let you use your restore points, check if you can revert your PC back to a point wherein everything was running perfectly.

6. Refresh/Reset your PC

In case none of the above methods address the error 0xc0000020, reset your PC by following the steps below –

First of all, press WinKey + I to invoke Settings.

On Windows 10

Go to – Update & Security > Recovery.
Under Refresh your PC without affecting your files, tap or click Get Started.
Now, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the remaining steps.
Make sure to keep the following checkboxes ON while refreshing your copy of Windows 11/10.
- Keeps all your data
- Removes all third-party apps

On Windows 11

There is no such option as “Refresh your PC” in Windows 11. So, all you can do on the newly installed OS is – “Reset your PC“. Here’s how to perform this task –