I downloaded the source from github, ran setup.bat, generated projecte files and compiled,
but when I try to run I get multiple errors of bad image in the form of:
D:\UnrealEngine\Engine\Binaries\Win64\UE4Editor-CoreUObject.dll is either not designed to run on Windows or it contains an error. Try installing the program again using the original installation media or contact your system administrator or the software vendor for support. Error status 0xc000012f.
Got it also on UE4Editor-Engine.dll and UE4Editor-Sequencer.dll and UE4Editor-LevelEditor.dll.
In case anyone else also finds this thread years later:
I just had a similar issue with mostly the same message, except mine ended in “Error status 0x0e90002.”
This happened during a Windows Update (September 2026’s KB5124008), which turned out to be not fully installed after a single restart. A second restart completed the install and let me open my project again.
If more detail is helpful:
Monday night, I selected “Update and Restart,” let that finish, and shut down my PC. (The shutdown UI no longer showed an update available, so I thought it was done.)
Tuesday morning, I started up my PC and found my project wouldn’t open.
I went to Windows Settings > Windows Update, planning to uninstall the latest update, but instead saw it still listed as “Pending Restart.”
I clicked the “Restart” button there (again), let it finish (again), and this time confirmed the update was installed.
After that, my project opened fine.
And if it helps with search results, after the initial “Bad Image” error, I also got a popup saying:
Message
The game module ‘[project name]’ could not be loaded. There may be an operating system error, the module may not be properly set up, or a plugin which has been included into the build has not been turned on.