Win32Exception on Linux and WSL Without a License Key

Updated:June 9, 2026

When running IronPDF on Ubuntu, WSL, or in a Docker container without a license key, the application throws an exception referencing xdg-open.

System.ComponentModel.Win32Exception: An error occurred trying to start process 'xdg-open' with working directory '/path/to/your/project/bin/Debug/net7.0'. No such file or directory

Three conditions must be present simultaneously for this error to occur: running on Linux or WSL, no IronPDF license key configured, and xdg-open is not installed. Without a license key, IronPDF attempts to open a browser to display a trial notice using xdg-open. The utility is absent in minimal Linux environments, causing the Win32Exception.

Solution

Step 1: Set the license key

Configure the license key before any PDF rendering call:

IronPdf.License.LicenseKey = "YOUR-LICENSE-KEY";

IronPdf.License.LicenseKey = "YOUR-LICENSE-KEY";

IronPdf.License.LicenseKey = "YOUR-LICENSE-KEY"

$vbLabelText $csharpLabel

A trial key also resolves the issue. Setting a valid license key prevents IronPDF from attempting to open a browser.

Step 2: Install xdg-utils

If you need to run without a license key or want to eliminate the dependency:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install xdg-utils

sudo apt update
sudo apt install xdg-utils

SHELL

For complete Linux and WSL setup, see the Linux deployment guide.

Curtis Chau

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Technical Writer

Curtis Chau holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science (Carleton University) and specializes in front-end development with expertise in Node.js, TypeScript, JavaScript, and React. Passionate about crafting intuitive and aesthetically pleasing user interfaces, Curtis enjoys working with modern frameworks and creating well-structured, visually appealing manuals.

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