To fix this issue, we are sharing with you 5 methods below. Please apply them one by one and check which one will work in your case. Please share your experience by leaving a comment below. Show
1. Re-register Shell32.dll FileShell32.dll is a critical system file in the Windows which is used by the OS whenever you run any executable file. Sometimes, this DLL file gets corrupted or unregistered and to restore its normal operation you must re-register this file in Windows. A lot of times the ‘not a valid Win32 application’ error is caused in Windows because Shell32.dll file has gotten corrupted. Follow the steps given below to re-register this DLL file:
That’s it, you have re-registered the Shell32.dll file in your Windows. Again, run the file which was giving ‘not a valid Win32 application’ error. 2. Fix it using FixExec Tool (Automatically)If no other solution is able to fix the ‘not a valid Win32 application’ error, then you can try a free tool named ‘FixExec’. You can use this program to fix executable file associations for the .bat, .com and .exe file extensions. This program restores the association of .bat, .com and .exe file extensions to the original Windows default. Therefore, if any of these file extension associations are hijacked, missing or changed, then FixExec tool will solve the problem. You can get complete information about this tool from its official download page.
That’s it, you should now try to run the file which was experiencing ‘not a valid Win32 application’ error. Most probably, your problem would have been fixed. 3. Make sure the file is not corrupted – Download the File Once AgainSometimes files get corrupted while they are being downloaded. Your web browser will show that the download has completed successfully and the file properties will show that its compatible with your OS version, but it’s possible that the file will be corrupted. Therefore, download the file one more time. If the second time again you get the ‘not a valid Win32 application’ error, then try downloading the file from another website or web page. Sometimes the website hosting the file has mistakenly uploaded a corrupted version of the file and changing the download source can solve your problem. 4. Install File with Administrator RightsSometimes files need administrator privileges to properly run themselves on a computer. Therefore, you should try to run your file with admin rights. Follow the steps given below:
If doing this solves the ‘not a valid Win32 application’ error, then great, otherwise, try the next solution. 5. Install File using Windows Compatible ModeMost executable files have compatibility mode in them, which allows you to run that file as if it was being run in an older version of Windows. This feature is really helpful when that executable file has been designed to run on a specific version of Windows OS. If this mode is not activated, then such a file has functionality problems, including the ‘not a valid Win32 application’ error. Follow the steps given below to change the compatibility mode of your file:
If you are unsure about the OS version with which your executable file is compatible, then you can try different OS versions one-by-one. Doing this might solve the ‘not a valid Win32 application’ error you are experiencing. 6. IDE Controller is Improperly ConfiguredYou may get ‘not a valid Win32 application’ error if there is problem with the configuration of the IDE controller on your computer. The IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers should be configured to transfer data in Direct Memory Access (DMA) mode and not in Programmed Input/Output (PIO) mode. Data transfer is faster in the DMA mode than in the PIO mode because DMA mode doesn’t involve CPU and moves data directly to and from RAM. Follow the steps given below to properly configure the IDE controller:
That’s it, now your IDE Controllers are properly configured and you should try to run the file again which is giving ‘not a valid Win32 application’ error. 7. Verify that File is for 64-bit OSIf the file that you are trying to run is not designed for your Windows version, then also you will get the ‘not a valid Win32 application’ error. Most files are 32-bit compatible, but if you are running Windows 64-bit version, then you must check that the file which is giving error is compatible with 64-bit version. Follow the steps given below to check the compatibility of the file:
If the file you are trying to run is compatible with Windows 32-bit OS and not Windows 64-bit OS, then this is the cause behind the ‘not a valid Win32 application’ error. 8. Fix corrupted user profiles or create new oneIf the above methods did not work for you, then the last possibility is that your computer’s user profile got corrupted. Please try to reset your user profile by following the steps below: If the repair doesn’t work then we finally suggest you to please create a new user profile and transfer all the necessary files into that. 9. Update WindowsIf nothing works in your case, then we suggest that you update your Windows and make sure it is up-to-date to fix this issue. 10. Scan your computer for virus infectionThis may also occur due to a virus or malware infection. We suggest you to please scan your computer with a good antivirus or anti-malware program. We are suggesting some selected anti-malware software below, please check them out. Download and run a scan of the following software.
11. Run SFC /Scannow commandSometimes, the system file gets corrupted. Please follow the below command to fix any system corruption issue. |