Hi, one of our customers is facing this error since a few days, when they try to start adobe indesign 2026.See the attachment for the error Adobe indesign 2026 won't start on Windows. Things we did to possible fix this: Re-install of windows visual C++ latest versionRun SFC scan and DISMRe-install of Adobe indesign 2026checkdisk Adobe indesign 2025 is still running on the system without errors Configuration of the laptopHP ZBook 17 G6CPU Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-9850H CPU @ 2.60GHz32GB memoryWindows 11 build 24H2

I

ICTEL

Participant

Answered

Adobe indesign 2026 won't start on Windows

Forum|Forum|6 months ago
November 14, 2025
8 replies
2075 views

Hi,

one of our customers is facing this error since a few days, when they try to start adobe indesign 2026.

See the attachment for the error

Adobe indesign 2026 won't start on Windows.

Things we did to possible fix this:

Re-install of windows visual C++ latest version
Run SFC scan and DISM
Re-install of Adobe indesign 2026
checkdisk

Adobe indesign 2025 is still running on the system without errors

Configuration of the laptop

HP ZBook 17 G6

CPU Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-9850H CPU @ 2.60GHz

32GB memory

Windows 11 build 24H2

Correct answer Abhishek Rao

Hi everyone,

Thanks for sharing your experiences here, I understand how frustrating this can be, especially when it keeps recurring after updates.

Regarding the error “The application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000142)”, this is a known issue and a bug has already been logged for it. You can also refer to a similar discussion here: https://community.adobe.com/questions-671/indesign-v21-not-starting-after-update-win-11-897997?postid=7505433#post7505433

In the meantime, there are a couple of workarounds that have helped resolve the issue:

First, based on the alert, repairing the Visual C++ Runtime has worked for many users and allows InDesign to launch normally. You can refer to the miscellaneous issues section here: https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/kb/crash-on-launch.html

If the issue persists, please try installing the latest supported Visual C++ Redistributable version from Microsoft: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cpp/windows/latest-supported-vc-redist?view=msvc-170#latest-supported-redistributable-version

Let me know how it goes on your end, and I’ll keep you posted with any updates from the team.

Abhishek

its86550406

Participant

I have the logs that you requested a while back on this issue. Would love to get this issue resolved permanently as having to do this after each update becomes cumbersome. What would be the best way to get you those logs?

Abhishek Rao

Community Manager

Hi @its86550406 ,

Thanks for reaching out on this.

You can share the log files with me either here in the thread or via DM. To send them privately, please click on my name and select Message. If the files are too large to attach directly, please upload the zip file to a file-sharing service such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive and share the download link with me.

Once you've shared the logs, please post a quick update here in the thread as well so I can track it and follow up with the team.

Thanks,
Abhishek

its86550406

Participant

I sent you a private dm.

I

Ivan_O_Brien

Participant

Unbelievably, after six months this issue is ongoing. On all our company's computers, whenever a monthly minor update to InDesign takes place, all the Visual C++ libraries have to be repaired (again!) to get InDesign to start. And that requires admin privilages, so it’s a huge hassle.

This only happens with InDesign 2026. It’s hugely disruptive and frustrating. We pay a lot of money to Adobe every month for this software, and expecting the programs to actually start is not a whole lot to ask.

Ivan

Abhishek Rao

Correct answer

Community Manager

Hi everyone,

Thanks for sharing your experiences here, I understand how frustrating this can be, especially when it keeps recurring after updates.

Regarding the error “The application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000142)”, this is a known issue and a bug has already been logged for it. You can also refer to a similar discussion here: https://community.adobe.com/questions-671/indesign-v21-not-starting-after-update-win-11-897997?postid=7505433#post7505433

In the meantime, there are a couple of workarounds that have helped resolve the issue:

First, based on the alert, repairing the Visual C++ Runtime has worked for many users and allows InDesign to launch normally. You can refer to the miscellaneous issues section here: https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/kb/crash-on-launch.html

If the issue persists, please try installing the latest supported Visual C++ Redistributable version from Microsoft: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cpp/windows/latest-supported-vc-redist?view=msvc-170#latest-supported-redistributable-version

Let me know how it goes on your end, and I’ll keep you posted with any updates from the team.

Abhishek

Paul34963548euiz

Participant

Is there a permanent fix for this other then repairing the C++ redistributables every month after windows updates?

tkstockton

Participant

I have the same issue every time our company runs an update. I have to get with them to repair the C++ files and it’s more than infuriating. I’d love for Adobe to find a fix for this. If I could go back to the 2025 version I would because this is ridiculous.

SwPackaging

Participant

We also have this problem in our company and with our customers. After the last updates, our service desk had to repair the C++ Redistributables. But this can’t be a long‑term solution for us and is no solution for our customers.
The issue only occurs with InDesign, every other CC products work fine.

michaela_1380

Participant

I have been having this exact problem as well. I’m starting to get really annoyed with having to head over to IT every couple of days for admin access to repair the C++.

Issue also only happens with InDesign.

Abhishek Rao

Community Manager

Hello @ICTEL and @1 kwadratw8728948,

I appreciate the update, and I apologize that the issue continues to occur. Before we proceed, could you please verify if this issue is occurring solely with InDesign or with any other Creative Cloud applications as well? We have also launched a new InDesign update today, version 21.0.1, so I recommend completely uninstalling InDesign using the CC Cleaner Tool and then reinstalling the latest version. Reference: https://adobe.ly/3K8Cnp5.

Please give it a try and inform me of the results, so I can provide further assistance.

Abhishek

1 kwadratw8728948

Participant

Hi Abhishek,

thanks for the quick follow-up!
It was indeed InDesign. After updating to the latest version – and with the Visual C++ change we applied earlier – everything is working now.

Thanks again!

Best,

Konstantin

I

ICTELAuthor

Participant

Anubhav M

Community Manager

Hello @ICTEL,

I'm sorry to learn that repairing the Visual C Redistributables did not resolve the issue for you. Would you be willing to try uninstalling and reinstalling the Microsoft Visual C++ Libraries by following the instructions outlined in this third-party article (https://adobe.ly/3Lxi0T0...)? If you could, please follow the steps and let us know your findings.

Looking forward to your response.

Anubhav