Fix: Windows Application Error Code 0x0000022

“The application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000022)” pops up right after you try to open certain programs, stopping them before they even begin to load. This error code (0xc0000022) means “Access Denied.” It shows up when Windows won’t let the app run because it doesn’t have the permissions it needs.

The most common reason for this error is damaged or incorrect file permissions, usually with important system files like ntdll.dll or kernel32.dll. Other possible reasons include turned-off Windows features (like DirectPlay), problems caused by your antivirus, or missing software files the app depends on.

1. Repair Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable

Most applications rely on Microsoft’s Visual C++ redistributable packages to function properly on Windows, and Acrobat Reader is no different. Several users have reported getting the 0xc0000022 error with an Adobe product after Windows performed an automatic update. Luckily, you can usually resolve this by repairing the Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable packages that the Adobe suite uses.

Note: This guide can also help with other Adobe products displaying the 0xc0000022 error, not just Acrobat Reader.

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run window. Type appwiz.cpl and press Enter to open Programs and Features.
   
2. Scroll down to Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable packages. Right-click on the first entry and select Change.
   
3. Click the Repair button, then click Yes if prompted by User Account Control.
   
4. After the setup finishes, repeat Step 2 and Step 3 for every other Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 package listed.
   
5. Once you’ve repaired all Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 packages, restart your computer and try opening Acrobat Reader (or the PDF file) again.

If the error still appears, go back to Programs and Features and uninstall all Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 packages. Then restart your computer. Download and install the packages again from this official Microsoft link.

2. Enable DirectPlay in Legacy Components

DirectPlay is an old part of Microsoft’s DirectX API. It was mostly used for networking in older computer games, but some other programs also relied on it.

You might see the 0xc0000022 error when trying to open an older game or application because it needs a .dll file that’s no longer included by default in new versions of Windows. While DirectPlay is considered obsolete in Windows 8.1 and Windows 10, you can still enable it through Windows settings.

If you are using Windows 8.1 or Windows 10, DirectPlay will be turned off by default.

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run box. Type appwiz.cpl and press Enter to open Programs and Features.
   
2. Click on Turn Windows features on or off.
   
3. Wait for the list to load, then check the box next to Legacy Components.
   
4. Click the + icon next to Legacy Components, then check the box next to DirectPlay. Click OK to save your changes.
   
5. Your system will now set up the required files to enable DirectPlay. Wait until you see the message “Windows completed the requested changes.”
   
6. Restart your computer and try running the application again.