Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-15

How to Fix: Just-In-Time Debugger: Unhandled exception - how do I get rid of the error message?

Just-In-Time Debugger error in Visual Studio, how to fix and debug process without crashing.

Quick Answer: Try running the AddInUtil.exe as an administrator or disable the Just-In-Time debugger for Visual Studio.

The 'Just-In-Time Debugger: Unhandled exception' error message is an issue that affects users of Visual Studio, particularly those who are new to the software. This error occurs when the Just-In-Time debugger fails to run with necessary security permissions, causing the program to crash. The user is presented with a prompt asking if they want to debug the process, but clicking 'yes' or 'no' does not resolve the issue.

This error can be frustrating for users who are trying to use Visual Studio for quick code checks without editing it. However, there are steps that can be taken to resolve this issue and get back to using the software without interruptions.

⚠️ Common Causes

  • The main reason why this error happens is due to a lack of necessary security permissions for the Just-In-Time debugger. This occurs when the debugger is launched without the required administrative privileges, preventing it from running effectively.
  • An alternative reason could be that the user's system settings or configuration are causing issues with the debugger's ability to run with proper permissions.

🚀 How to Resolve This Issue

Running the Just-In-Time Debugger as an Administrator

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Right-click on the Visual Studio executable file (AddInUtil.exe) and select 'Run as administrator'. This will launch the debugger with the required administrative permissions.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: If the above method does not work, try running the Visual Studio application as an administrator by right-clicking on the Start menu and selecting 'Run as administrator', then launching Visual Studio from there.
  3. Step 3: Step 3: Alternatively, you can also add the path to the Visual Studio executable file to the system's PATH environment variable. This will allow the debugger to run with proper permissions without having to manually run it as an administrator.

Configuring System Settings for Proper Debugger Permission

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Open the Windows Control Panel and navigate to 'System' and then 'Advanced system settings'. Click on the 'Settings' tab and then click on 'Change' under the 'Security' section.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: In the 'User Account Control' window, select the user account that is running Visual Studio and check the box next to 'Allow applications of all users to run this program with elevated privileges'. Click 'OK' to save the changes.

🎯 Final Words

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the 'Just-In-Time Debugger: Unhandled exception' error message in Visual Studio. If you continue to experience issues, it may be worth consulting the official Microsoft documentation or seeking further assistance from a qualified IT professional.

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