Appplication exception error

I am having a problem with a couple of programs I have used in the past. It will let me install these programs but won’t let me run them.

I get the following error message: “SupportAssist.exe – Application Error
The exception unknown software exception (0xe0434352) occurred in the application at location Ox00007FF8379FB699.”

I was advised by another web site to download some AV software I had never heard of. I don’t want to do that because I am currently running Norton and have been for several years. Shouldn’t Norton be catching the virus, if that is what is causing this?

This became an issue for the Dell SupportAssist after Norton Support took over my PC at the end of December 2024. This was in response after Norton sent me a message that my subscription had expired. (Norton was wrong, my subscription actually goes until June 22, 2025).

Note: Please do not post Personally Identifiable Information like email address, personal phone number, physical home address, product key etc.

Issue abstract:

Detailed description: above

Product & version number: Norton 360 Premium

OS details: Windows 10

What is the error message you are seeing?

“SupportAssist.exe – Application Error
The exception unknown software exception (0xe0434352) occurred in the application at location Ox00007FF8379FB699.”

If you have any supporting screenshots, please add them:

Hello @dresdenron
Care to share names of programs?
and the error message is from Norton?

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and you’ve reviewed AI Overview

AI Overview
The error message “The exception unknown software exception (0xe0434352) occurred in the application at location Ox00007FF8379FB699” indicates a problem with the .NET Framework runtime on your computer. This error can be caused by several issues, including outdated drivers, corrupted .NET Framework files, or conflicts with other applications.

Here’s a breakdown of how to troubleshoot this error:

  1. Update Drivers:
    Identify the affected device:
    The error message mentions “SupportAssist.exe,” which is related to Dell SupportAssist.
    This suggests the issue might be related to a device driver, such as a graphics card or other hardware.

Update drivers:
Visit the manufacturer’s website (Dell in this case) and download the latest drivers for your computer’s devices. You can also use the Device Manager to search for updated drivers automatically.

  1. Update Windows and .NET Framework:
  • Install Windows updates: Make sure your Windows operating system is up to date. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for and install any available updates.
  • Update .NET Framework: The error code 0xe0434352 often points to a problem with the .NET Framework. If you’re using an older version, you can update it using Windows Update or download the latest version from the Microsoft website.
  • Repair .NET Framework: You can try running the Microsoft .NET Framework Repair Tool.
  1. Check for System Files Corruption:
  • Run Check Disk Open Command Prompt as administrator and run the command chkdsk /f to check for and repair any hard drive errors.
  1. Perform a Clean Boot:
    Identify conflicting programs:

A clean boot disables all non-Microsoft services and third-party startup programs to help identify if any of them are causing the error.

Reset to normal boot after troubleshooting:
Once you’ve identified the conflicting program, you can reset your computer to its normal boot state.

  1. Other Considerations:
    Scan for malware:
    Run a full system scan with your antivirus software to rule out any malware infection.

Check Event Viewer:

The Event Viewer can provide more detailed information about the error, which might help you pinpoint the root cause.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the “unknown software exception (0xe0434352)” error.

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AI Overview
The “SupportAssist.exe - Application Error” message typically indicates an issue with Dell’s SupportAssist program, which is designed to help with system maintenance and troubleshooting. Common problems include installation failures, crashes, or the program not responding. If SupportAssist is having trouble, it’s usually best to try uninstalling and reinstalling it, or to use the Microsoft Troubleshooter tool for a more thorough clean uninstall, according to Dell tech support.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of potential causes and solutions:

Possible Causes:

  • Corrupted Installation: The SupportAssist program itself might be corrupted or damaged.
  • Conflicting Software: Another program on your system could be interfering with SupportAssist.
  • System Issues: Problems with your operating system or hardware could be causing the error.
  • Internet Connection Problems If SupportAssist needs to download updates, a poor internet connection could cause issues.
  • Windows Problems: Sometimes, an error is triggered when the Microsoft Windows system can’t find the SupportAssist installation.

Troubleshooting Steps:

  1. Restart Your Computer: A simple restart can sometimes resolve temporary glitches.
  2. Uninstall and Reinstall SupportAssist:
  • Use the Windows Settings app to uninstall SupportAssist.
  • Manually delete SupportAssist files: Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Dell\SupportAssist\ (for 64-bit systems) or C:\Program Files\Dell\SupportAssist\ (for 32-bit systems) and delete the folder.
  • Restart your computer.
  • Download and install the latest version of SupportAssist from the Dell website or Microsoft Store.
  1. Use the Microsoft Troubleshooter Tool: This tool can help you uninstall SupportAssist and remove any related files or registry entries.
  2. Check for Updates: Ensure your operating system and SupportAssist are up to date.
  3. Run System File Checker (SFC): Open a command prompt as administrator and run sfc /scannow to scan and repair any corrupted system files.
  4. Contact Dell Support: If none of these steps work, contact Dell’s technical support for further assistance.

Additional Notes:

  • Some users have reported issues with the SupportAssist OS Recovery feature. If you are having problems with OS recovery, you may need to disable it in the BIOS settings.
  • If you are using a Canary build of Windows, some users have reported similar issues with SupportAssist.
  • If you are experiencing bluescreens, some users have reported that uninstalling SupportAssist resolves the issue.
  • If you are running Dell Unity, you can disable SupportAssist through the Unisphere interface.

This video demonstrates how to clean reinstall Dell SupportAssist:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOkgM3JUpHM&t=113s

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AI Overview
The “The exception unknown software exception (0xe0434352) occurred in the application at location” error usually indicates a problem with the .NET framework or related dependencies. It can be caused by issues like corrupted installations, outdated versions, or conflicts with other applications.

Here’s a breakdown of potential causes and troubleshooting steps:

Possible Causes:

  • Corrupted .NET Framework: The .NET framework might be damaged or incomplete.
  • Outdated .NET Framework: You might be using an outdated version of the .NET framework.
  • Missing or Conflicting Dependencies: The application might be missing necessary dependencies or having conflicts with other applications or drivers.
  • Hardware Issues: In rare cases, hardware issues (like a failing hard drive) can also cause this error.

Hello @dresdenron

https://www.dell.com/community/en/conversations/supportassist-for-pcs/unknown-software-exception-0xe0434352/65dc417762484464eb62b82b

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https://www.dell.com/community/en/conversations/systems-management-general/unknown-software-exception-0xe0434352-occurred-in-the-application-at-location/647f8754f4ccf8a8de681be7

Hello @dresdenron
and you’ve run Malwarebytes scan?
How to install and run a scan with Malwarebytes
https://malwaretips.com/blogs/run-a-scan-with-malwarebytes/

MalwareBytes has the same problem as Dell SupportAssist. It installs but then it won’t start, flashes one screen then disappears. So looking at Dell drivers isn’t going to help much.

I did a check disk, and it found nothing, windows update said everything is up-to date. I was going to download the .NET Framework repair tool but it didn’t list WIN10 as one of the systems it worked with. I ran SFC and it didn’t find anything. I’ve domne the uninstall and reinstall of Dell SupportAssist and it doesn’t resolve anything. It worked on this computer for years until the bad SupportAssist update in Dec 2024.When the DellSupport Assist update fix came out in late December I started getting the application error. CCCleaner said I should update a Realtek network driver, but the Realtek site and CCCleaner don’t agree on the version number. I thought updating the NET Framework version but Windows Update says everything is up-to-date. I’m going through the event viewer logs now.

Malwarebytes Help Forums [here] may be able to help &or advise…if you can run their “logs” gathering tools.

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fwiw ~
Microsoft has released the following updated version of the Microsoft .NET Framework Repair Tool.
Latest version
Last updated: 08/01/2024
Release: v1.5
Version: 4.8.4739.15
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/microsoft-net-framework-repair-tool-is-available-942a01e3-5b8b-7abb-c166-c34a2f4b612a

  • Corrupted .NET Framework: The .NET framework might be damaged or incomplete.

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.NET Framework installation guide
04/05/2025
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/framework/install/