launcher.exe - Bad Image SWTOR Launcher error

The below is usually associated with a hardware issue , but it can be driver related , try a clean install of the latest hotfix nvidia driver https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5640/~/geforce-hotfix-display-driver-version-572.75 

Also Try running DISM and SFC in a command prompt as detailed in https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/livekernelevent-141-when-playing-games/4485bdee-bb9f-4ef9-97a4-6c1fe5a14ce4

other then that there is crashing in

several svchost.exe_DiagTrack - the windows diagnostic tracking service 
and
several CorsairCpuIdService.exe - part of the corsair icue software

Sure 😊

can you provide a dxdiag link per this guide

I did download and run the app/program. 

The first time I ran the download (as administrator) I told the installer to remove the game. 

I assumed that when I chose to remove the installation that the SWTOR_setup.exe would completely remove the game files.

I then ran SWTOR_setup.exe again, the one recommended and linked in a previous reply.

I saw this note from the Installer: 

"Star Wars(tm)":  The Old Republic(tm)

Completing the Star Wars: The Old Republic Setup Wizard

Star Wars: The Old Republic has been installed on your computer.

Click Finish to close this Wizard.

I checked the box to "Play Star Wars:  The Old Republic" and hit the "Finish" button.

The program/app did not launch, nor even ask permission to run.

I used the shortcut on the desktop without Administrative authorization.  The launcher failed.

I used the shortcut again, this time using Administrative authorization.  The launcher failed.

I have given swtor.exe authorization to get through the firewall.  I have also given the launcher.exe authorization to get through the firewall.

As I have noted earlier, the error is the same as previously noted in this thread.

Summary:  SSNHostWindow:  launcher.exe - Bad Image:

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Electronic Arts\BioWare\Star Wars - The Old Republic\libcef.dll is either not designed to run on Windows or it contains an error.  Try installing the program again..."  "Error Status 0xc0000428."

Uh, Yeah, been there, done that at least three times now.

I checked the integrity of my files as per Microsoft Instructions. 
Microsoft gives my system a clean slate, ie. there are, as per Microsoft, no integrity issues with the hard drive or with the system files.

Personal opinion:

I was playing SWTOR when it first came out. 

I don't believe I was able to beta test it...but it was about the right time...over 10 years ago now. 

I had hoped to resolve some issues with the EULA and get the game running on my Windows 11 Pro (always 64bit).

Apparently that is simply not a thing due to malfunctions of the launcher and as per my multiple attempts to play the game on my Windows 11 Pro PC  😥

...Unless...someone has a resolution to this issue...?

The original software media is not to be used anymore it is redundant as 32bit launcher is no longer used and not used anymore 

You need to use https://swtor-a.akamaihd.net/installer/SWTOR_setup.exe 

Most common cause of a libcef error is a different version existing in the windows folders somewhere

Maybe check the hard drive file system for errors too 

This error still exists, 10 years later.  It is now March, 2025. 
Exact same message as OP.
Error code 0xc0000428.  
64bit Windows 11 Pro. 
Ran program/app with Administrator permissions "SWTOR_setup.exe" from official web site (https://www.swtor.com/).
"SSNHostWindow: launcher.exe - Bad Image" 
Text from the window/pop-up:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Electronic Arts\BioWare\Star Wars - The Old Republic\libcef.dll is either not designed to run on Windows or it contains an error.  Try installing the program again using the original installation media or contact your system administrator or the software vendor for support.  

Error status  0xc0000428."

10 years?!

The software is the original installation media (SWTOR_setup.exe  -- see above); I am the system administrator and the actual software vendor does not seem to be responding (Electronic Arts\BioWare).

There are no system integrity violations.

@firestormaesir Hi,

This isn't necessarily an issue with the launcher, "Error status 0xc000007b" rather indicates that some legacy files are missing within your operating system.

Try installing the below MS Visual C++ Redistributable Packages, directly from Microsoft:

• Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package (x86)
• Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package (x64)
• Visual C++ Redistributable Packages for Visual Studio 2013 (all three: vcredist_arm.exe, vcredist_x64.exe, vcredist_x86.exe)

Let us know how you get on afterwards.

Cheers,

Nils

You misunderstand, I can't actually start the launcher itself. Anything involving a task within the launcher won't work. The error always displays every time I try to open the game