What does Windows error code 14060 (ERROR_SXS_XML_E_UNCLOSEDSTARTTAG) mean?

ERROR_SXS_XML_E_UNCLOSEDSTARTTAG

ERROR_SXS_XML_E_UNCLOSEDSTARTTAG (0x000036EC) is a Windows Side-by-Side XML parser status for application, assembly, policy, or configuration manifest processing.

The parser entered an element start tag and did not reach a legal > or /> completion. Missing attribute quotes, malformed attributes, or truncated generated text can all leave the parser inside the start-tag state.

XML rule involved

XML distinguishes STag from EmptyElemTag. Both require a terminating delimiter after the element name and attributes; writing a slash in the wrong place or leaving a value open prevents either production from completing.

What to inspect

• Read the entire opening tag beginning before the failure and verify every attribute before adding a closing delimiter.
• Check whether the intended element is empty and, if so, use a complete /> terminator rather than a stray slash.
• Compare the final embedded manifest with its source when the build system combines manifest fragments or resource sections.

The earliest sxstrace parser line is important because a missing quote inside the same start tag may be the true reason the tag never closed.

References

• Microsoft: System Error Codes 12000-15999
• Microsoft: Side-by-Side manifest files reference
• Microsoft: sxstrace
• W3C: XML 1.0