What is the Visual C++ Redistributable?

Installing applications on Windows 10 is normally a straightforward process, thanks to the operating system’s wealth of applications and compatibility over the past 30 years. For the most part, they work. For example, we’ve already covered how to install classic desktop applications and universal apps, such as those available through the Windows Store.

It Started with Windows 8

But the Windows 10 app story is still going through a significant transition, which initially started with Windows 8. Universal apps are the future of Windows 10, but classic apps will be with us for some time. And those classic apps sometimes have classic problems. For instance, installing desktop apps can be problematic due to components such as the Visual C++ Redistributable. This article finds out what it is and how to get it installed, so your app will work on Windows 10.

How to Resolve Problems Installing the Visual C++ Redistributable

The Visual C++ Redistributable is a DLL (Dynamic Link Library) file required by programs or games built using Microsoft’s Visual Studio software development environment. When a program requires a DLL or some other supporting file to run, this is called a dependency. The MSVCR.DLL stands for:

MS – Microsoft
V – Visual
C – C++
R – Redistributable.

Browsing your Apps and Features Setting or Programs and Features Control Panel, you might see multiple versions of the redistributable installed. A particular app installed might be utilizing one of them, so removing any version can cause an application to malfunction. Some apps might even require updated versions of the Visual C++ Redistributable such as 2010 SP1 or 2012 Update 4.

Get the Right DLL Library

A DLL helps app creators efficiently reuse common components that make a program work. Instead of reinventing the wheel and bloating their code each time, developers can reuse the libraries in the MSVCR.dll. This, in return, can reduce the size of a program and provide better performance and memory utilization. Some applications are written using specific versions of the Visual C++ Redistributable. If your computer does not have the full Visual C++ development program installed (which you likely won’t unless you are a software developer), a program will come with a Runtime Component to facilitate that particular program. The Runtime Components are just the essential pieces of code that make the software work.

There are versions of the Visual C++ Redistributable that go back as far as version 2005. Common error users might see when attempting to execute or install an application is:

The Program can’t start because MSVCR110.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.

Errors

The error indicates that a particular version of the Visual C++ Redistributable required by the program you are attempting to install is either corrupt or missing. In this case, MSVCR110 represents the Visual C++ 2010 SP1 Redistributable. Other versions include:

MSVCR71.dll, MSVCR08.dll, MSVCR09.dll (2008 – 2010)
MSVCR120.dll (2012)
MSVCR130.dll (2013)
MSVCR140.dll (2015)

Most programs will come preinstalled with a copy of the Visual C++ Redistributable during installation. You can also browse the application setup files – normally a folder called “third party” or something similar – where you might be able to find copies of the setup files for the Visual C++ Redistributable.

If not, you can download the version required by the application. In addition, the program will indicate the version of the file required if an error pops up during or when executing the app. Users should also be aware that some programs might require either the 32 or 64-bit architecture.

Below are links to download the appropriate redistributable for the version you might be attempting to install: