Resolving “Could not load file or assembly DevExpress” Error in Savance Workplace Outlook Add-In or Desktop App

Article Summary:

When updating or launching the Savance Workplace Outlook Add-In or Desktop App, users may encounter a Workplace Error dialog stating that a DevExpress component or one of its dependencies could not be found. This guide details the symptoms, cause, and step-by-step resolution steps, including a manual file copy workaround.

Symptoms & Error Details

When changing a user status or initializing the Savance Workplace Outlook Add-In or Desktop App, the following dialog appears:

Common Variations / Searchable Error Strings:

• Could not load file or assembly 'DevExpress.XtraEditors...' or one of its dependencies.

• Could not load file or assembly 'DevExpress...' The system cannot find the file specified.

• Workplace Error (Savance Workplace Outlook Add-In)

• System.IO.FileNotFoundException: DevExpress.XtraEditors

Cause

This error occurs when one or more required DevExpress runtime .dll files are missing from the Savance Workplace Outlook Add-In or Desktop App installation directory. Common causes include:

• An interrupted update or incomplete installation.

• Endpoint security software, Antivirus, or Windows Defender blocking/quarantining .dll binaries during installation.

• Insufficient local permissions during file extraction.

Resolution Steps

Method 1: Clean Reinstallation (Recommended)

1. Fully close Microsoft Outlook.

2. Open Windows Settings (Win + I) > Installed Apps (or Control Panel > Programs and Features).

3. Locate Savance Workplace Outlook Add-In (or Desktop App) and select Uninstall.

4. Temporarily disable any third-party antivirus, AppLocker, or endpoint protection rules that restrict unsigned or downloaded .dll files.

5. Download the latest Savance Workplace Outlook Add-In installer from the Savance Workplace portal.

6. Right-click the installer .exe / .msi and choose Run as administrator.

7. Relaunch Outlook and confirm status changes operate without errors.

Method 2: Manual DLL Transfer Workaround

If an environment policy or security scanner continuously strips the files during installation, you can manually restore the missing libraries from a known working workstation:

1. On a working computer with the identical version of the Savance Workplace Outlook Add-In or Desktop App installed, open File Explorer and navigate to the installation directory:

   • 64-bit Systems: C:\Program Files (x86)\Savance\Savance Workplace Outlook Add-In\
     (or C:\Program Files\Savance\Savance Workplace Outlook Add-In\)

2. Locate the missing DevExpress library files:

   • DevExpress.XtraEditors.v22.2.dll

   • (Include any companion libraries: DevExpress.Data.v22.2.dll, DevExpress.Utils.v22.2.dll, etc.)

3. Copy these .dll files to an external drive or network share.

4. On the affected machine, close Outlook completely.

5. Paste the .dll files into the corresponding local installation directory.

6. Right-click the newly pasted .dll file(s), open Properties, and check Unblock if Windows flagged the file as coming from another computer. Click Apply > OK.

7. Relaunch Outlook and verify functionality.