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RO_E_INVALID_METADATA_FILE
Windows Runtime metadata file is invalid or corrupted
RO_E_INVALID_METADATA_FILE is HRESULT 2147483666 (0x80000012) from winerror.h. The documented description is “Metadata file is invalid or corrupted.” The relevant context is the Windows Runtime metadata, object lifetime, asynchronous operation, activation, and apartment model.
Where it is encountered
- C++/WinRT, WRL, .NET projections, or native WinRT ABI calls.
- Runtime-class activation, WinMD reflection, asynchronous objects, observable state, or view lifecycle.
- Cross-thread and cross-apartment handoff between UI, ASTA, STA, MTA, broker, and background work.
The immediate focus is a WinMD file whose PE/CLI metadata structures, signatures, tables, or WinRT restrictions cannot be parsed or validated.
What to verify
Verify that the exact file, package identity, hash, architecture, and producer toolchain are known and the failure reproduces outside the consuming application. That condition determines whether the same object can continue, a new object is required, or policy must change.
Correct handling and recovery
Replace the damaged or incompatible WinMD from a trusted package, repair the build pipeline, and regenerate projections. Never continue using partially parsed metadata.
Difference from nearby HRESULTs
It faults the metadata container; name-related RO errors assume the file was readable enough to perform symbol lookup.
Practical scenario
A deployment contains a zero-truncated WinMD after an interrupted copy. Package repair restores the signed file and activation succeeds with the same type name.
References
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