After trying to run a Windows Template Studio project/solution using the “Local Machine” button within Visual Studio 2019, the following error appeared in the error list:
Cannot resolve ‘GenXbf.dll’ under path ‘C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\bin\10.0.17134.0\x86\genxbf.dll’.
Please install the latest version of the Windows 10 Software Development Kit.
I am trying to understand the source of this error, as I have already tried updating the SDK manually. Could the error be caused by a recent Windows Update that affects some part of the project or Visual Studio?
3 Answers
Understanding the ‘GenXbf.dll’ Error in Visual Studio 2019
If you are a developer using Visual Studio 2019, you might have encountered the error message “Cannot resolve ‘GenXbf.dll’ under path ‘C:Program Files (x86)Windows Kits10bin10.0.17134.0x86genxbf.dll’. Please install the latest version of the Windows 10 Software Development Kit.” when trying to run a Windows Template Studio project/solution using the “Local Machine” button. This error can be quite frustrating, especially if you have already tried updating the SDK manually and it did not fix the problem. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the causes of this error and how to fix it.
What is GenXbf.dll?
Before we dive into the causes of the error, it is essential to understand what GenXbf.dll is. GenXbf.dll is a dynamic link library file that is part of the Windows 10 Software Development Kit. It is responsible for generating binary files that are used to build Windows apps. Without this file, you cannot build, run or debug Windows apps in Visual Studio.
Causes of the Error
The “Cannot resolve ‘GenXbf.dll’” error message occurs when Visual Studio is unable to find the GenXbf.dll file in the specified path. This can happen due to several reasons, including:
Outdated Windows 10 SDK Version
One of the primary causes of the error is an outdated version of the Windows 10 SDK. If you have an older version of the SDK installed on your computer, it might not have the GenXbf.dll file or might have an older version of the file. This can cause Visual Studio to be unable to find the file when building your project.
Corrupt GenXbf.dll File
Another cause of the error is a corrupt GenXbf.dll file. This can happen if the file is infected by a virus or if there was an error during installation or update of the SDK.
Missing or Corrupt Visual C++ Redistributable Package
The Visual C++ Redistributable Package is a set of files that are required to run applications developed using Visual C++. If this package is missing or corrupt, it can cause the GenXbf.dll error in Visual Studio.
How to Fix the Error
Now that we understand the causes of the GenXbf.dll error, let us look at how to fix it.
Update Windows 10 SDK
The first step in fixing the error is to update the Windows 10 SDK. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Open the Visual Studio Installer.
2. Click on the “Modify” button for the version of Visual Studio you are using.
3. In the “Individual Components” tab, scroll down to the “SDKs, libraries, and frameworks” section.
4. Check the box for the latest version of the Windows 10 SDK.
5. Click on the “Modify” button to install the latest SDK version.
Repair or Reinstall the Windows 10 SDK
If updating the SDK does not fix the error, you can try repairing or reinstalling the SDK. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Open the Control Panel.
2. Click on “Programs and Features.”
3. Find the Windows 10 SDK in the list of installed programs.
4. Right-click on the SDK and select “Repair” or “Uninstall.”
5. If you selected “Repair,” follow the prompts to repair the SDK.
6. If you selected “Uninstall,” follow the prompts to uninstall the SDK, then reinstall it from the Visual Studio Installer.
Repair or Reinstall Visual C++ Redistributable Package
If the GenXbf.dll error is caused by a missing or corrupt Visual C++ Redistributable Package, you can repair or reinstall the package by following these steps:
1. Open the Control Panel.
2. Click on “Programs and Features.”
3. Find the Visual C++ Redistributable Package in the list of installed programs.
4. Right-click on the package and select “Repair” or “Uninstall.”
5. If you selected “Repair,” follow the prompts to repair the package.
6. If you selected “Uninstall,” follow the prompts to uninstall the package, then reinstall it from the Microsoft website.
Conclusion
The GenXbf.dll error can be quite frustrating for developers, especially when it prevents them from building and running Windows apps in Visual Studio. In this blog post, we have discussed the causes of the error and how to fix it. By updating, repairing, or reinstalling the Windows 10 SDK and Visual C++ Redistributable Package, you should be able to resolve the error and get back to developing your Windows apps.
It looks like the error is related to a missing file called “GenXbf.dll” which is a part of the Windows 10 Software Development Kit (SDK). The error message suggests that the file is expected to be located under the path “C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\bin\10.0.17134.0\x86\genxbf.dll”.
There are a few potential reasons why this error might occur:
- The Windows 10 SDK is not installed on your machine. In this case, you can try installing the latest version of the Windows 10 SDK from the Microsoft website.
- The Windows 10 SDK is installed, but the file “GenXbf.dll” is missing or has been deleted. This could be due to a problem with the installation or a recent update. In this case, you can try repairing the SDK installation or uninstalling and reinstalling the SDK.
- There is an issue with the project or solution you are trying to build. For example, there might be a problem with the project or solution configuration that is causing the build process to fail. In this case, you can try cleaning and rebuilding the project or solution, or restoring any missing or corrupt files.
It’s also possible that the error could be caused by a recent Windows Update that affects some part of the project or Visual Studio, although it’s hard to say for sure without more information.
The error message you received indicates that the Windows SDK installation is corrupt or incomplete. It is also possible that Visual Studio is not configured to use the correct version of the Windows SDK. To fix this error, you can try uninstalling unnecessary versions of the Windows SDK and/or reinstalling all versions of the Windows 10 SDK through the Visual Studio installer.
It is unlikely that a recent Windows Update would cause this issue, but it is possible that an update to Visual Studio 2019 could have caused the problem.