Microsoft.SqlServer.Configuration.ConfigExtension.dll is considered a type of Dynamic Link Library (DLL) file. Dynamic Link Library files, like Microsoft.SqlServer.Configuration.ConfigExtension.dll, are essentially a "guide book" that stores information and instructions for executable (EXE) files - like AppInstaller.exe - to follow. These files were created so that multiple programs (eg. Microsoft SQL Server) could share the same Microsoft.SqlServer.Configuration.ConfigExtension.dll file, saving valuable memory allocation, therefore making your computer run more efficiently.
Unfortunately, what makes DLL files so convenient and efficient, also makes them extremely vulnerable to problems. If something happens to a shared DLL file, either it goes missing or gets corrupted in some way, it can generate a "runtime" error message. Runtime is pretty self-explanatory; it means that these errors are triggered when Microsoft.SqlServer.Configuration.ConfigExtension.dll is attempted to be loaded either when Microsoft SQL Server is starting up, or in some cases already running. Some of the most common Microsoft.SqlServer.Configuration.ConfigExtension.dll errors include:
- Access Violation at address - Microsoft.SqlServer.Configuration.ConfigExtension.dll.
- Microsoft.SqlServer.Configuration.ConfigExtension.dll could not be found.
- Cannot find C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Setup Bootstrap\Release\x86\Microsoft.SqlServer.Configuration.ConfigExtension.dll.
- Cannot register Microsoft.SqlServer.Configuration.ConfigExtension.dll.
- Cannot start Microsoft SQL Server. A required component is missing: Microsoft.SqlServer.Configuration.ConfigExtension.dll. Please install Microsoft SQL Server again.
- Failed to load Microsoft.SqlServer.Configuration.ConfigExtension.dll.
- The application has failed to start because Microsoft.SqlServer.Configuration.ConfigExtension.dll was not found.
- The file Microsoft.SqlServer.Configuration.ConfigExtension.dll is missing or corrupt.
- This application failed to start because Microsoft.SqlServer.Configuration.ConfigExtension.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem.
Your Microsoft.SqlServer.Configuration.ConfigExtension.dll file could be missing due to accidental deletion, uninstalled as a shared file of another program (shared with Microsoft SQL Server), or deleted by a malware infection. Furthermore, Microsoft.SqlServer.Configuration.ConfigExtension.dll file corruption could be caused from a power outage when loading Microsoft SQL Server, system crash while loading Microsoft.SqlServer.Configuration.ConfigExtension.dll, bad sectors on your storage media (usually your primary hard drive), or quite commonly, a malware infection. Thus, it's critical to make sure your anti-virus is kept up-to-date and scanning regularly.