[GIS] QGIS 3.8 could not start ”Qgis_app.dll is missing” check runtime environment check C:\OSGEO4W64\bin\qgis-dev-bin-g.exe

debugginginstallationosgeo4wqgis-3windows 10

I had Qgis 3.4 running well on my PC Windows 10, 64 bit. I tried to upgrade to Qgis 3.8 Zanzibar and I had the error message:
''Qgis_app.dll is missing check runtime environment check C:\OSGEO4W64\bin\qgis-dev-bin-g.exe''.

So far, I tried the folowwing:

  • install countless times with OSGEO
  • install from OSGeo and direct download, the 3.8 don't work
  • go back to the older 3.4 version (from OSGEO or direct donwload), it didn't work
  • run the from the qgis.bat file
  • installed qgis 3.4 as administrator
  • copy and paste the qgis.bat.temp and change the name to qgis.bat
  • Tried to change the path of OSGeo in the .bat file, but I was a little bit lost…?

OSgeo4W shell does not launch from my start menu either, instead I have a text file opening with a text editor software.
Grass Gis 7.2 doesn't work also, I also have a text file opening with a text editor software.

Funnily, I have two folders created for QGIS (or I believe so, but I'm not sure): 

C:\OSGeo4W64\bin

and:

C:\Program Files\QGIS 3.8\bin

Could this be one of the reason? Should I append one of the path file, if yes, how should I do it?

Best Answer

I just had this error when trying to start QGIS 3.12.1 through double-clicking on a shp in Windows explorer. I still had old folders for QGIS 3.4 and 3.8, but I'm not sure if that's relevant. Anyway, I deleted those older folders and ran the 3.12.1-installer again. It uninstalled and reinstalled QGIS 3.12.1 and it could now successfully start.

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