Incorrect ComCtl32.dll is loaded after porting a project from Win32 to x64 platform in Visual Studio 2010

Question

I have ported a project from Win32 to x64 platform. I changed all dependencies so I can build the project smoothly. However, as soon I start the executable I'm getting an error (0xc000007b).

Using the dependency walker I can see, that at a certain point the ComCTL32.dll is loaded but the x86 and not the x64 as expected.

As soon I turn of the manifest generation (linker->Manifestfile), it works. But that's not a solution.

So my question is: Where in Visual Studio 2010 can I set the path to the correct DLL ComCtl32.dll.

Answer 1

Well, the manifest matters. An example of a bad one that could cause this problem would look like this:

<dependency>
    <dependentAssembly>
        <assemblyIdentity
            type="win32"
            name="Microsoft.Windows.Common-Controls"
            version="6.0.0.0"
            processorArchitecture="x86"
            publicKeyToken="6595b64144ccf1df"
            language="*"
        />
    </dependentAssembly>
</dependency>

The processerArchitecture attribute value matters. A good one uses *, which means compatible or amd64, which means 64-bit.

Answer 2

You don't set the path anywhere. You specify a manifest to indicate which version of ComCtrl you want, and then it is up to the OS to find it, like any other DLL. The error you are seeing means a 64bit process is trying to load a 32bit DLL, or vice versa. That could be a search path issue, that could be a dependancy issue. Use a tool like DependancyWalker to find the culprit.