Exception(2020.2): Could not load PHP DLL in memory

On some PCs a compiled command-line EXE (no GUI) fails to start, and I’m hoping that someone here has an explanation. On most PCs the software executes correctly. On some PCs, at startup the following error is generated: “Exception(2020.2): Could not load PHP DLL in memory”.

I have not noticed any commonality between PCs where this issue is reported, but I’m not a Windows IT person and could easily miss something. The software is used on Windows 7 and 10, the cases I’ve studied were Windows 10, I don’t know if the error has been seen under Windows 7. There is no indication that overzealous anti-virus software is responsible (when anti-virus is present, making an exception for the EXE file makes no difference.)

The EXE is compiled as a stand-alone file (no external files necessary), and includes some PHP extensions (php_sockets, php_openssl) using PHP 7.3. As is evident from the error code, this EXE was generated with the current version of ExeOutput (2020.2). The same EXE copied to another computer works correctly, so this is not an issue with trying to use a corrupted or truncated EXE. What are possible causes of this error message, or suggested solutions?

The problem prompting my question was seen on Dell PCs with an Intel chipset, and the problem was resolved by updating firmware/drivers from Dell and Intel. I have no understanding of how these updates could have any effect upon the ability of the EXE to load, but that is the observation.

In the process of working through a fault tree, other possible causes included a missing runtime (but the compiler was set to include all necessary runtimes in the EXE), or the PC having PHP installed (creating some kind of conflict with the stand-alone EXE). Neither of these were the cause in my case.