How to Install Visual C++ Redistributables
If you've ever encountered an error like "This application requires Visual C++ Redistributable," you might have wondered what that means and how to fix it. In this blog, we'll explain what Visual C++ Redistributables are, why they are important, and guide you through installing them, from 2010 to 2022, in two different ways.
What Are Visual C++ Redistributables?
Visual C++ Redistributables are essential software packages that install runtime components required to run applications developed with Microsoft Visual C++ on a machine. These components are libraries or DLL files (Dynamic-Link Libraries) that include standard functions and methods for various operations, such as file handling, memory management, and graphical display functions, that the application needs to function correctly.
Microsoft releases these redistributable packages for different versions of Visual C++, and each package ensures that applications written in a specific version of Visual C++ will run on computers that may not have that version of the Visual C++ compiler installed.
Why Are Visual C++ Redistributables Important?
Without the correct version of the Visual C++ Redistributables installed, applications that rely on them may fail to run or cause runtime errors. Many modern applications are built with Visual C++ and require one or more redistributable packages for proper functionality. The absence of a required redistributable often leads to an error message such as:
- "Missing MSVCR100.dll" (for Visual C++ 2010)
- "This application failed to start because api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll was not found" (for Visual C++ 2015-2022)
By ensuring you have the correct versions of the redistributable packages installed, you can avoid such errors and improve the compatibility of third-party software on your system.
Visual C++ Redistributables (2010-2022)
Microsoft releases the redistributables in different versions, typically corresponding to the versions of Visual Studio. These are the main redistributables you might need:
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Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable:
- MSVCR100.dll: This version is essential for running applications built with Visual C++ 2010.
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Visual C++ 2012 Redistributable:
- MSVCR110.dll: Released to support applications built using Visual Studio 2012.
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Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable:
- MSVCR120.dll: Released alongside Visual Studio 2013.
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Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable:
- MSVCR140.dll: Common for applications built with Visual Studio 2015 and beyond.
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Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable:
- MSVCR140.dll: Same as 2015 but with some minor updates.
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Visual C++ 2019 Redistributable:
- MSVCR140.dll: Released with Visual Studio 2019 and continuing support for newer applications.
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Visual C++ 2022 Redistributable:
- MSVCR140.dll: The latest release, ensuring compatibility with Visual Studio 2022 applications.
Note that Visual C++ Redistributables (from 2015 onwards) are often backward compatible with older versions, meaning that the 2015-2022 redistributables will work for applications built with earlier versions (2015 and beyond).
How to Install Visual C++ Redistributables (2010-2022)
There are two primary ways to install the Visual C++ Redistributables: via individual downloads or by installing the entire package using Microsoft's All-in-One redistributable setup.
Method 1: Installing via Individual Downloads
Follow these steps to install each version of the redistributables individually:
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Visit the Microsoft Download Center: Go to the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Downloads page.
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Choose the Correct Version:
- Scroll down the page to find the redistributable version you need (e.g., 2010, 2012, 2013, etc.).
- Click on the link to download the specific version of the redistributable for your system architecture (x86 for 32-bit or x64 for 64-bit systems).
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Download the Installer: Once you click the download link, the installer for the selected version will begin downloading. Choose to run the installer once it has completed downloading.
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Run the Installer:
- After downloading, open the installer by double-clicking it.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to install the Visual C++ Redistributable. You may be asked to agree to the license terms and choose the installation directory.
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Restart Your System: After installation, it’s often a good idea to restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect and that all components are properly installed.
Repeat this process for each required version of the Visual C++ Redistributable.
Method 2: Installing via the All-in-One Package
For convenience, Microsoft provides an All-in-One redistributable package for 2015-2022. This method will install the necessary runtime libraries for all the supported versions from 2015 to 2022 at once.
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Download the All-in-One Package:
- Go to the Microsoft Download Center.
- Scroll down to the "Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015-2022" section.
- Select your architecture (x86 for 32-bit or x64 for 64-bit systems) and download the installer.
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Run the Installer:
- Once downloaded, open the installer by double-clicking it.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to install the redistributables for all the supported versions (2015-2022). You only need to run this once to cover all the versions.
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Reboot Your Computer:
- After installation is complete, restart your computer to finalize the installation.
By installing the All-in-One redistributable package, you’ll ensure that your system has the necessary runtime libraries for applications built with Visual Studio from 2015 through 2022.
Why Should You Install These Redistributables?
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Resolve Application Errors: Many applications require these redistributables to run properly. Installing them will prevent errors like "Missing DLL file" or "Application requires Visual C++ redistributables."
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Ensure Compatibility: By having the right redistributables installed, you'll be able to run applications that depend on specific versions of Visual C++ libraries, without needing to manually track each version.
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Smooth Software Experience: Whether you're a gamer, developer, or just someone who uses many third-party applications, having the required redistributables ensures smoother operation of programs that depend on them.
