If the local support folder is empty or corrupted, you must acquire the packages directly from Microsoft.
The error message you see—"This application has failed to start because its side-by-side configuration is incorrect"—is Windows' way of saying that the specific Visual C++ runtime needed by the game's launcher is . You might see an error code like 0x36B1 or 14001, which point to the same underlying issue.
For Prince of Persia 2008 , the launcher ( Prince_of_Persia_launcher.exe ) is notoriously strict about needing the 2008 version of the Visual C++ Redistributable, even if you have newer 2015-2022 versions installed. Verified Solutions to Fix the Error prince of persia 2008 launcher side by side error verified
The "side-by-side configuration is incorrect" error in the Prince of Persia (2008)
sfc /scannow DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth If the local support folder is empty or
If these steps fail, you can identify the exact missing version using the Windows Command Prompt:
There are few things more frustrating for a gamer than settling in to play a classic title, only to be met with an immediate, cryptic error message. For many trying to play the beautiful 2008 reboot of Prince of Persia on modern hardware, that moment arrives the second they double-click the game's launcher. Instead of a menu to adjust graphics or audio, the system displays a disheartening warning: For Prince of Persia 2008 , the launcher
Select Windows XP (Service Pack 3) or Windows 7 from the drop-down menu.
The side by side error is a common issue that occurs when the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable packages are not properly installed or are corrupted on a Windows system. This error typically manifests as a pop-up message with the following error description:
. This occurs when the game cannot find the specific library versions (typically the 2005 or 2008 versions) required to run its executables. Steam Community Verified Fixes Side by Side configuration error - Prince of Persia