Fix Can’t load protection component, OS error 0x7e on Windows 11/10

Some users are reporting that after a successful Windows update, when they try to launch some installed programs on their Windows 11/10 device, they encounter the error message Can’t load protection component, OS error 0x7e. This post provides the most suitable solutions you can try to easily resolve this issue.

Can’t load protection component, OS error 0x7e

If you’re faced with this issue, you can try our recommended solutions below in no particular order and see if that helps to resolve the issue.

1. Uninstall and reinstall the software
2. Launch program as administrator
3. Run SFC and DISM scan
4. Temporarily disable security software

Let’s take a look at the description of the process involved concerning each of the listed solutions.

1] Uninstall and reinstall the software

This solution simply requires you to uninstall the program that’s throwing the error 0x7e and then download and install the most recent version of the program. If doing this fails to fix the issue, try the next solution.

2] Launch the program as administrator

This solution requires you to run the program as an administrator and see if the program will launch without the error.

3] Run SFC and DISM scan

If you have system file errors, you may encounter this error.

The SFC/DISM is a utility in Windows that allows users to scan for corruption in Windows system files and restore corrupted files.

For the purposes of ease and convenience, you can run the scan using the procedure below.

• Press Windows key + R to invoke the Run dialog.
• In the Run dialog box, type notepad and hit Enter to open Notepad.
• Copy and paste the syntax below into the text editor.

@echo off
date /t & time /t
echo Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup
echo ...
date /t & time /t
echo Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
echo ...
date /t & time /t
echo SFC /scannow
SFC /scannow
date /t & time /t
pause

• Save the file with a name and append the .bat file extension – eg; SFC_DISM_scan.bat and on the Save as type box select All Files.
• Repeatedly run the batch file with admin privilege (right-click the saved file and select Run as Administrator from the context menu) until it reports no errors.
• Restart your PC.

Try opening the app again and see if the issue is resolved. If not proceed with the next solution.

4] Temporarily disable security software

As you can see from the lead-in image, some security software may block copy protection system components, which would prevent the program you’re trying to open from launching. Disabling the antivirus prior to launching the program in question will fix the problem. Once the program successfully launches, you re-enable your security software.

If Windows Defender is blocking the app, you can disable Windows Defender. For third-party security software, this largely depends on the security software you have installed. Refer to the instruction manual. But basically, to disable your antivirus software, locate its icon in the notification area or system tray on the taskbar (usually in the lower right corner of the desktop). Right-click the icon and choose the option to disable or exit the program.

That’s it!