Fix Appstart.ani Errors and Download Now

Last Updated: 11/30/2023
[Time to Read Article: 5 minutes]

appstart.ani uses the ANI file extension, which is more specifically known as a Windows Animated Cursor file. It is classified as a RIFF (Windows Animated Cursor) file, created for Windows XP by Microsoft.

The release of appstart.ani introduced for Windows was on 11/08/2006 in Windows Vista. The latest version update [vXP] for Windows was XP released on 10/25/2001.

Please see below for more detailed information, ANI file troubleshooting instructions, and free downloads of different versions of appstart.ani.

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Compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP and 2000

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File Overview


General Information
File Name: appstart.ani
File Extension: ANI file extension
Title: Application Starting Hour Glass
File Type: System
Description: Windows Animated Cursor
MIME Type: application/unknown
User Popularity Rating:
 
Developer and Software Information
Software Program: Windows XP
Developer: Microsoft
Software: Windows
Software Version: XP
File Details
File Size (Bytes): 7954
Oldest File Date: 11/02/2006
Latest File Date: 04/14/2008


What are appstart.ani Error Messages?


General appstart.ani Runtime Errors

appstart.ani file errors often occur during the startup phase of Windows, but can also occur while the program is running. These types ANI errors are also known as “runtime errors” because they occur while Windows is running. Here are some of the most common appstart.ani runtime errors:

Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library

Runtime Error!

Program: C:\Windows\Cursors\appstart.ani

This application has requested the Runtime to terminate it in an unusual way.
Please contact the application's support team for more information.


Most ANI errors are due to missing or corrupt files. Your appstart.ani file could be missing due to accidental deletion, uninstalled as a shared file of another program (shared with Windows), or deleted by a malware infection. Furthermore, appstart.ani file corruption could be caused from a power outage when loading Windows, system crash while loading or saving appstart.ani, bad sectors on your storage media (usually your primary hard drive), or malware infection. Thus, it’s critical to make sure your anti-virus is kept up-to-date and scanning regularly.



How to Fix appstart.ani Errors in 3 Steps (Time to complete: ~5-15 minutes)

If you're encountering one of the error messages above, follow these troubleshooting steps to resolve your appstart.ani issue. These troubleshooting steps are listed in the recommended order of execution.


Step 1: Restore your PC back to the latest restore point, "snapshot", or backup image before error occurred.

To begin System Restore (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

  1. Hit the Windows Start button
  2. When you see the search box, type "System Restore" and press "ENTER".
  3. In the search results, find and click System Restore.
  4. Please enter the administrator password (if applicable / prompted).
  5. Follow the steps in the System Restore Wizard to choose a relevant restore point.
  6. Restore your computer to that backup image.

If the Step 1 fails to resolve the appstart.ani error, please proceed to the Step 2 below.

Step 2: Run SFC (System File Checker) to restore the corrupt or missing appstart.ani file.

System File Checker is a utility included with every Windows version that allows you scan and restore corrupted system files. Use the SFC tool to fix missing or corrupt appstart.ani files (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

  1. Hit the Windows Start button
  2. In the search box, type "cmd" but DO NOT PRESS "ENTER".
  3. Press and hold "CTRL-Shift" on your keyboard while pressing "ENTER".
  4. You'll be prompted with a permission dialog box.
  5. In the box, click "YES".
  6. You should have a black screen with a blinking cursor.
  7. In that black screen, type "sfc /scannow" and hit "ENTER".
  8. SFC will begin scanning for appstart.ani issues and any other system file problems.
  9. Follow any on-screen commands to complete the process.

Please be aware that this scan might take a while, so please be patient while it is working.

If this Step 2 fails as well, please proceed to the Step 3 below.

sfc /scannow

Step 3: Perform a Windows Update.

When the first two steps haven't solved your issue, it might be a good idea to run Windows Update. Many appstart.ani error messages that are encountered can be contributed to an outdated Windows Operating System. To run Windows Update, please follow these easy steps:

  1. Hit the Windows Start button
  2. In the search box, type "Update" and press "ENTER".
  3. In the Windows Update dialog box, click "Check for Updates" (or similar button depending on your Windows version)
  4. If updates are available for download, click "Install Updates".
  5. After the update is completed, restart your PC.

If Windows Update failed to resolve the appstart.ani error message, please proceed to next step. Please note that this final step is recommended for advanced PC users only.



If Those Steps Fail: Download and Replace Your appstart.ani File (Caution: Advanced)

If none of the previous three troubleshooting steps have resolved your issue, you can try a more aggressive approach (Note: Not recommended for amateur PC users) by downloading and replacing your appropriate appstart.ani file version. We maintain a comprehensive database of 100% malware-free appstart.ani files for every applicable version of Windows. Please follow the steps below to download and properly replace you file:

  1. Locate your Windows operating system version in the list of below "Download appstart.ani Files".
  2. Click the appropriate "Download Now" button and download your Windows file version.
  3. Copy the file into the appropriate directory for your Windows version:

  4. Windows XP: C:\Windows\Cursors\
    Windows Vista: C:\Windows\Cursors\
  5. Restart your computer.

If this final step has failed and you're still encountering the error, you're only remaining option is to do a clean installation of Windows XP.


GEEK TIP : We must emphasize that reinstalling Windows will be a very time-consuming and advanced task to resolve appstart.ani problems. To avoid data loss, you must be sure that you have backed-up all of your important documents, pictures, software installers, and other personal data before beginning the process. If you are not currently backing up your data, you need to do so immediately.



Download appstart.ani Files (Malware-Tested 100% Clean)


CAUTION : We strongly advise against downloading and copying appstart.ani to your appropriate Windows system directory. Microsoft typically does not release Windows ANI files for download because they are bundled together inside of a software installer. The installer's task is to ensure that all correct verifications have been made before installing and placing appstart.ani and all other ANI files for Windows. An incorrectly installed ANI file may create system instability and could cause your program or operating system to stop functioning altogether. Proceed with caution.

Windows XP
Windows Vista


Files Related to appstart.ani


ANI Files Related to appstart.ani

File Name Description Software Program (Version) File Size (bytes) File Location
aero_working_l.ani Windows Animated Cursor Windows 8 251168 C:\Windows\inf\WmiApRpl\0009\
sizenwse.ani Windows Animated Cursor Windows XP 818 C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\
hourgla2.ani Windows Animated Cursor Windows XP 11832 C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\
aero_busy_xl.ani Windows Animated Cursor Windows 10 556304 C:\Windows\inf\WmiApRpl\0009\
sizens.ani Windows Animated Cursor Windows Vista 818 C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\

Other Files Related to appstart.ani

File Name Description Software Program (Version) File Size (bytes) File Location
OneX_v1.xsd XML Schema Definition Windows 8.1 5957 C:\Windows\L2Schemas\
WLANAP_profile_v1.xsd XML Schema Definition Windows 7 7504 C:\Windows\L2Schemas\
WLAN_profile_v1.xsd XML Schema Definition Windows 7 15591 C:\Windows\L2Schemas\
LAN_profile_v1.xsd XML Schema Definition Windows XP 2241 C:\Windows\L2Schemas\
LAN_policy_v1.xsd XML Schema Definition Windows 8 3472 C:\Windows\L2Schemas\


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