Fix: DCS “CockpitBase.dll – Bad Image” Error 0xc0e90002 (Smart App Control)

[Flyboy]

I had the following error when I tried to load DCS the other day. Traced it using AI, which fixed it. Here is ChatGPT summary:

If DCS shows this error:

DCS.exe - Bad Image
...\DCS World\bin-mt\CockpitBase.dll ... Error status 0xc0e90002

the DLL is usually not damaged. Windows Smart App Control is blocking it under its Code Integrity policy. A DCS repair may not fix it because the repaired DLL is still considered untrusted by that Windows policy.

Fix:

1. Open Windows Security.
2. Go to App & browser control.
3. Select Smart App Control settings.
4. Set Smart App Control to Off.
5. Restart Windows and launch DCS.

This does not remove DCS files, modules, settings, or licenses. Windows Defender antivirus and firewall remain active. It only disables Smart App Control’s extra reputation/signature enforcement layer.

Note: Turning Smart App Control off is normally one-way; turning it back on later requires a Windows reset/reinstall. Keep Defender enabled and avoid running unknown downloads.

[Klaiber]

2 hours ago, Flyboy said:

I had the following error when I tried to load DCS the other day.

Have you ever had this before? 

[Flyboy]

25 minutes ago, Klaiber said:

Have you ever had this before? 

No this was the first time and was prob from an update. 

[Vonrd]

Gemini said this:

Disadvantages of Turning Smart App Control Off

• Lower Security: Your computer loses an extra cloud-backed layer of defense that normally stops malicious or untrusted executable files from launching. [1, 2]
• Higher Risk of Malware: Without it blocking unrecognized software, you are more vulnerable to malware, ransomware, and sneaky potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) bundled in downloads. [1, 2]
• Difficult to Re-enable: On many system configurations, turning Smart App Control off is a permanent choice for that installation; turning it back on normally requires a complete clean reinstall of Windows (unless using advanced registry workarounds). [1, 2]

Then said this:

If you are trying to turn it off because a specific app is being blocked, tell me the name of the app so we can see if there is a safe way to run it without disabling your security.

It brought up a long list of options which I won't post but they seem safer than turning Smart App off.