Fix : Could not load file or assembly ‘Microsoft.IdentityModel.Clients.ActiveDirectory..The system cannot find the file specified.”:”Microsoft.IdentityModel.Clients.ActiveDirectory..

Hi Folks,

Recently I came across this problem with one my console applications while working with ADAL library. After debugging for a while, came to know that this DLL referenced had been updated and I strangely note that error popping up.

Then I came to know that there was an assembly binding defined with a different version from the DLL present in the bin folder. So I tried to understand a bit about assembly binding and what assembly binding redirect is all about.

Why are binding redirects needed at all?

Suppose you have application A that references library B, and also library C of version 1.1.2.5. Library B in turn also references library C, but of version 1.1.1.0. Now we have a conflict, because you cannot load different versions of the same assembly at runtime. To resolve this conflict you might use binding redirect, usually to the new version (but can be to the old too). You can do that by adding the following to app.config file of application A, under configuration>runtime>assemblyBinding section (see here for an example of full config file):

<dependentAssembly>
    <assemblyIdentity name="C"  
                      publicKeyToken="32ab4ba45e0a69a1"  
                      culture="en-us" />  
    <bindingRedirect oldVersion="1.1.1.0" newVersion="1.1.2.5" />  
</dependentAssembly>

You can also specify a range of versions to map:

<bindingRedirect oldVersion="0.0.0.0-1.1.1.0" newVersion="1.1.2.5" />  

Now library B, which was compiled with reference to C of version 1.1.1.0 will use C of version 1.1.2.5 at runtime. Of course, you better ensure that library C is backwards compatible or this might lead to unexpected results.

You can redirect any versions of libraries, not just major ones.

If you want to know more about assembly binding, redirects. Please refer to below post.

https://www.codeproject.com/Articles/12215/Assemblies-locating-binding-and-deploying

Finally I was able to resolve this issue by commenting this section in App.config. The fix seem to be easy.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

PMDY

Author: Pavan Mani Deep Y

Passionate for Power Platform. A technology geek who loves sharing the leanings, quick tips and new features on Dynamics 365 & related tools, technologies. An Azure IOT and Quantum Computing enthusiast... View all posts by Pavan Mani Deep Y