Fix for Logitech Setpoint won't open on Windows 10 in 2023
Back in 2016, I wrote a blog article detailing how I got Logitech SetPoint to startup with Windows. Until I found the fix, SetPoint installed and I could open and manage it, but it simply wouldn't auto-launch when I logged into Windows or install its icon in the "System Tray." Fast forward 7 years and a new problem popped up with SetPoint not working right on a newly acquired Windows 10 laptop computer.
This new problem is that even though I was able to install SetPoint on my new to me Dell Latitude laptop, I was unable to launch/open the program to manage it. The installer completed and there was a shortcut on the Start Menu. But, clicking on the icon and shortcut did absolutely nothing. When I opened the folder containing the program's executable, Setpoint.exe, and clicked on it, I got a popup error message from Windows complaining that "the side by side configuration is incorrect."
Before I stumbled onto the actual fix, I tried all kinds of suggestions I found on various troubleshooting forums. I downloaded old versions of Microsoft Visual C++ packages in the hopes that the program was looking for long outdated missing components. I even tried a suggestion to run the program in Windows 7 Compatibility mode. Nope, none of this worked. ;-( So, I began following my own hunches based upon decades of experience operating and upgrading Windows computers.
I've always operated under the theory that if something is going wrong, but the culprit isn't in plain view, follow the breadcrumbs. Troubleshooting software problems often requires detective work. I'm not a programmer, but I've been around long enough to know that when a program doesn't work from the get-go, something is wrong with the installer, or the computer. So, my first order of business was to vet the computer itself to ensure that the operating system was sound. If you're reading this because you have the same problem with SetPoint, or any other program, follow the same process.
Verify the operating system's integrity.
- First, make sure you can see the Windows Search box on the Windows Taskbar, by the Start Menu button, or orb. If you don't have a search box visible, it's been set to hidden. Right click on an empty area on the taskbar to open a Taskbar settings menu. Hover your pointer over the word "Search" near the top of the menu, then move the pointer to the pop-out right options panel and left click/press on Show search box
- Type: CMD in the search box.
- A search suggestions window will pop up over the left edge of the monitor. You should see the words Command Prompt App in bold letters on the left, with several options showing on the right side..Choose the option to Run as Administrator. Accept the Administrator challenge popup. If asked, type in your computer administrator password to continue.
- When the Command Window opens, you will see the command line: "C:\WINDOWS\System32>" in the upper left, with a blinking underline cursor next to the bracket symbol. If you don't see the blinking cursor, click anywhere on or in the Command Window.
- Type, or copy and paste this command: sfc /scannow, then press Enter. This launches the Windows System File Checker. It takes a little while to complete the scan.
- When the SFC finishes, if it finds errors, I also run the next command in the Command Window: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter. After the operation has completed, I recommend closing all open programs and rebooting the computer.
If no errors were found, or if you've rebooted after fixing system errors, open your web browser and go to the Logitech SetPoint downloads page. If you don't see your operating system already displayed, look for the small down facing arrow on the left side of the word and mouse icon for SetPoint. Click on the down arrow to open a menu for your operating system. I chose Windows 10. In Firefox I actually had to click on the apparently grayed out words to open the SetPoint downloads for Windows 10..Here's where the mistakes are usually made and fixed.
THE FIX
When you select your operating system on the SetPoint downloads page, the only option you'll normally see is the current version for your system, with Software Type: Smart Installer in the description. DON'T USE THE "SMART" INSTALLER if you know whether your computer is 32 bit or 64 bit architecture. Instead, click on Show all downloads. Scroll down until you find the correct version of SetPoint for your computer, as either 32 bit or 64 bit and download that installer (using the Download Now button). In my case, for my 9 year old, upgraded Dell Latitude, I chose Software Version: 6.90.66 - 64 bit.- 80.5 MB.
Aside: If you don't know whether your computer is 32 or 64 bit, click on Start button/orb > Settings > System > About. The bitness will be listed under System type.
Before you run the new installer, uninstall the previous (smart) installation that didn't work. It must be gone for the new installer to work right. After I installed the 64 bit installer, SetPoint launched and opened on its own. The icon was in the System Tray, like it is on my other computers. Clicking on the icon opens SetPoint and I was able to set the middle wheel button to do a Double Click.
I hope this helps somebody else to get SetPoint installed and working. Logitech support was of no help. All the other search results involved downloading Microsoft files. This solution simply required searching for the download for my OS and Bitness!
If you like this article please share it.
The content on this blog may be reprinted provided you do not modify the content and that you give credit to Wizcrafts and provide a link back to the blog home page, or individual blog articles you wish to reprint. Commercial use, or derivative work requires written permission from the author.