Knowledge

ERROR_SXS_XML_E_INVALID_STANDALONE - 14070 (0x36F6)

Manifest Parse Error : The standalone attribute must have the value 'yes' or 'no'.

Updated: Feb 21, 2026

Technical Background

The ERROR_SXS_XML_E_INVALID_STANDALONE error code is encountered during the processing of application manifest files in the Windows Side-by-Side (SXS) assembly cache. This error indicates a specific issue with the XML structure, specifically related to the standalone attribute within an XML document.

Error Details

The error message states: 'Manifest Parse Error: The standalone attribute must have the value 'yes' or 'no''. This means that during the parsing of an application manifest file, the standalone attribute was found with a value other than 'yes' or 'no'.

Common Causes

  • Invalid parameter values: The standalone attribute in the XML document is not set to either 'yes' or 'no', leading to this error.
  • Incorrect object type: If the manifest file being processed is not correctly formatted as an XML document, this error may occur.

Real-World Context

This error typically occurs during application deployment or execution when the SXS assembly cache processes manifest files. It can also be encountered in scenarios where custom manifest files are used for application-specific configurations.

Is This Error Critical?

The criticality of this error depends on the context in which it is encountered. If the error occurs during normal application execution, it may indicate a misconfiguration or corruption in the manifest file. However, if the error is observed during deployment or setup processes, it could suggest issues with the source manifest files.

How to Diagnose

  1. Review Operation Context: Ensure that the operation context is correct and that the manifest file being processed is intended for SXS assembly cache operations.
  2. Validate Parameters: Check the standalone attribute in the XML document to ensure it has a valid value ('yes' or 'no').
  3. Confirm Object Types: Verify that the manifest file is correctly formatted as an XML document and that all attributes are properly defined.
  4. Verify Input Data: Ensure that no other attributes or elements within the manifest file are causing parsing issues.
  5. Check Limits or Constraints: Although this error is not related to resource limits, it is important to ensure that there are no other constraints affecting the processing of the manifest files.

How to Resolve

  1. Correct Parameter Usage: Ensure that all attributes within the XML document, including standalone, are correctly set to 'yes' or 'no'.
  2. Adjust Operation Context: If the error occurs during deployment, review the source manifest files and ensure they meet the required format standards.
  3. Restore Data: If the manifest file is corrupted, it may need to be restored from a backup or re-created with correct parameters.
  4. Retry Operation with Valid Inputs: After making corrections, retry the operation that generated the error.

Developer Notes

Developers should ensure that all XML documents used in SXS assembly cache operations adhere to the required standards and formats. This includes validating manifest files during development and deployment phases to prevent such errors from occurring.

Related Errors

  • ERROR_SXS_XML_E_MISSING_ATTRIBUTE: Occurs when a required attribute is missing from an XML document.
  • ERROR_SXS_XML_E_INVALID_ELEMENT_NAME: Indicates that the element name in an XML document is invalid or not recognized.
  • ERROR_SXS_XML_E_MALFORMED: General error indicating malformed XML content.

FAQ

Q: What does the standalone attribute do in an XML manifest file?

A: The standalone attribute, when set to 'yes', indicates that the document is self-contained and does not rely on external DTDs (Document Type Definitions). When set to 'no', it indicates that the document references an external DTD. This attribute is crucial for ensuring proper XML parsing.

Q: Can this error occur in non-SXS assembly cache operations?

A: No, this specific error code is related to SXS assembly cache operations and manifest files. It will not be encountered in other contexts unless custom manifest files are being used outside of the SXS framework.

Summary

The ERROR_SXS_XML_E_INVALID_STANDALONE error indicates a parsing issue with an XML manifest file, specifically that the standalone attribute is set to an invalid value. Developers should ensure that all attributes within their manifest files are correctly defined and formatted according to SXS standards to avoid this error.