. If this is set to x86 or missing, Windows 8’s loader will reject the binding and fall back to the system directory, likely causing a runtime error 0xc000007b (Invalid image format).
If you cannot enable .NET 3.5 through "Turn Windows features on or off," you can use the DISM tool to point directly to the sources\sxs folder on your Windows 8 installation media. sxsi x64 windows 8
You call CreateProcess on an x64 executable. The loader parses the manifest, looks in WinSxS\Manifests\ , and checks the policies . Windows 8 introduced publisher configuration files that can redirect versions (e.g., version 11.0.51106.1 to 11.0.60610.1). looks in WinSxS\Manifests\