HRESULT 0x80004017 (CO_E_RUNAS_SYNTAX): meaning and diagnosis

Status / error code:		Category:

Constant name:
Source:		Operating System:
Description: The AppID RunAs value is not a valid account name or supported COM identity.

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CO_E_OLE1DDE_DISABLED	CO_E_CREATEPROCESS_FAILURE

CO_E_RUNAS_SYNTAX

CO_E_RUNAS_SYNTAX is a configuration error in the AppID RunAs value. COM cannot interpret the account identity it was given, so it stops before attempting to launch the class server under that account.

What the value represents

For a non-service COM server, RunAs is stored beneath the class AppID in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\AppID. Microsoft documents account forms such as UserName and Domain\UserName, along with specific special identities including Interactive User and selected NT AUTHORITY accounts.

What to check

Resolve the failing CLSID to its AppID and inspect the RunAs value in the machine AppID key, not an unrelated per-user registration.
Correct the account spelling and separator syntax rather than changing the server to a broader identity merely to make activation succeed.
Use DCOM configuration tools for RunAs credentials. A syntactically valid value that cannot log on leads to CO_E_RUNAS_LOGON_FAILURE, which is a different condition.

References

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