Winsetup.dll 0xc1: What It Is and How to Solve It
Could Not Load Required File Winsetup Dll 0xc1: What It Is and How to Solve It
If you are trying to install or upgrade Windows 10 on your computer, you may encounter an error message that says "Could not load required file Winsetup.dll 0xc1". This error can prevent you from completing the installation or upgrade process and cause frustration. But don't worry, in this article, we will explain what this error means, what causes it, and how to fix it.
Could Not Load Required File Winsetup Dll 0xc1
What is Winsetup.dll 0xc1 Error?
Winsetup.dll is a dynamic link library (DLL) file that is part of the Windows Setup program. It contains functions and data that are used by the Windows Setup program to perform various tasks during the installation or upgrade process. The 0xc1 error code indicates that the Winsetup.dll file could not be loaded correctly by the Windows Setup program. This can happen due to various reasons, such as:
The Winsetup.dll file is missing, corrupted, or incompatible with your version of Windows.
The Windows Setup program is damaged or infected by malware.
The registry entries related to the Winsetup.dll file are invalid or corrupted.
The hardware or software configuration of your computer is incompatible with the Windows Setup program.
When the Winsetup.dll 0xc1 error occurs, you may see a blue screen of death (BSOD) or a black screen with the error message. You may also experience other symptoms, such as:
The installation or upgrade process stops or freezes.
The computer restarts repeatedly or shuts down unexpectedly.
The computer runs slowly or crashes frequently.
The computer fails to boot into Windows normally.
How to Fix Winsetup.dll 0xc1 Error?
There are several methods that you can try to fix the Winsetup.dll 0xc1 error and complete the installation or upgrade process successfully. Here are some of the most common and effective solutions:
Method 1: Run the Windows Setup Program in Compatibility Mode
Sometimes, the Winsetup.dll 0xc1 error can be caused by a compatibility issue between the Windows Setup program and your version of Windows. To resolve this issue, you can try running the Windows Setup program in compatibility mode for an earlier version of Windows. Here are the steps to do this:
Right-click on the Windows Setup program file (such as setup.exe) and select Properties.
Click on the Compatibility tab and check the box that says "Run this program in compatibility mode for".
Select a previous version of Windows from the drop-down menu (such as Windows 7 or Windows 8).
Click on Apply and OK to save the changes.
Run the Windows Setup program again and see if the error is fixed.
Method 2: Replace the Winsetup.dll File
If the Winsetup.dll file is missing, corrupted, or incompatible with your version of Windows, you can try replacing it with a new one. You can either copy the Winsetup.dll file from another working computer that has the same version of Windows as yours, or download it from a reliable online source. Here are the steps to do this: