Windows Launch Issues (cx_Freeze errors)

Some Windows users experience issues when launching OpenShot Video Editor, specifically an error dialog which contains the title, cx_Freeze: Python error in main script. This almost always indicates that a required DLL needed by OpenShot is missing.

OpenShot is compatible with Windows 7, 8, and 10 (but not Windows XP). We also support both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows (you can find both downloads on the Windows download page). So, I would encourage you to first make sure you have installed the correct version of OpenShot (64-bit vs 32-bit) for your version of Windows.

Step 1: Windows Update

First, I highly recommend you install any Windows Updates that are pending. Especially any updates related to Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable packages. Restart your computer, and re-test OpenShot. If OpenShot still fails to launch, please continue this guide.

Step 2: Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable

Next, we need to verify that the following Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package is installed: C:\Windows\System32\msvcrt.dll. You can download and install this for either 32-bit or 64-bit versions of Windows. Once you have installed this, restart your computer, and re-test OpenShot. If OpenShot still fails to launch, please continue this guide.

Step 3: Check for Wrong zlib1.dll

For some reason, many Windows system contain the following file (installed by some 3rd party program): C:\Windows\System32\zlib1.dll. This file takes priority over the zlib1.dll shipped with OpenShot, and causes OpenShot to crash on launch. Please try backing up and removing C:\Windows\System32\zlib1.dll, restart your computer, and re-test OpenShot.

Step 4: Disable Anti-Virus Software (temporarily)

Next, we need to make sure your virus scanner / Windows defender is not blocking the installation of certain DLLs installed by OpenShot, or blocking certain DLLs from executing when launching OpenShot. Carefully disable your real-time virus scanning temporarily, re-install OpenShot, and attempt to launch OpenShot again. If this works, then you likely need to add some rules to your virus scanner to ignore OpenShot files. Re-enable your virus scanner. If this step doesn't help, please continue this guide.

Step 5: Dependency Walker

Finally, this is going to take some troubleshooting to determine which DLL file is missing from your computer. Before we continue, you will need a program called Dependency Walker. It is a free download, so please take a moment and install the appropriate version for your version of Windows.

1. Install Dependency Walker
2. Launch Dependency Walker
3. Drag the following files into Dependency Walker, one at a time, and wait for them to load:
   • C:\Program Files\OpenShot Video Editor\launch.exe
   • C:\Program Files\OpenShot Video Editor\libopenshot.dll
   • C:\Program Files\OpenShot Video Editor\libopenshot-audio.dll
   • C:\Program Files\OpenShot Video Editor\Qt5Gui.dll
   • C:\Program Files\OpenShot Video Editor\avcodec-57.dll
4. Look for any missing DLLs. You can collapse the list of dependencies found using the [-] and [+] icons. Look at each of the above files, and scan over any missing dependencies. Sometimes false positives are listed, so be patient and scan the entire list.
5. If you think you have found the missing DLL, be very careful, and Google ways to restore that file, or re-install that file from a safe destination (i.e. Windows Update, Microsoft.com, or other reliable site). Don't use a random DLL download website.

Step 6: Process Explorer

Another way to see which DLLs are loaded and potentially what is causing the crash, is to use the Microsoft Process Explorer. Follow these steps to produce a *.txt output file of what happens during an OpenShot launch attempt.

1. Download Process Explorer from the Microsoft SysInternals library. (It doesn't need to be installed, you just extract and run it.)
2. Launch OpenShot, and leave that error box open when it appears
3. Open (or launch) Process Explorer
4. Hit Ctrl+d to open Process Explorer's bottom pane
5. Select launch.exe (the still-running OpenShot launcher) in the top half of the window
6. Click on anything in the bottom half of the window, then hit Ctrl+a
7. A file-save dialog will open, asking to save a text file. Save it anywhere you like. That file will contain a list of all the DLLs that have been loaded by OpenShot.
8. Go to the folder where you saved the file, then open it (the *.txt file) in a text editor. See if you can find the source of the problem, or share this *.txt file on a GitHub issue (so a developer can help you analyze it).

Step 7: Create New Windows User

Still no luck? My final recommendation is to create a new Windows users called "OpenShot User", and login to that Windows account/profile. Re-install OpenShot as this new user, and attempt to launch OpenShot. If this successfully launches, then most likely your other user has something corrupted in their profile.

Share Your Feedback

If you successfully replace a missing file, or find a work-around to successfully launch OpenShot, please let me know what steps worked for you (so I can better improve the OpenShot installer and improve this Wiki guide): jonathan@openshot.org.