Visual C++ Redistributable Runtimes

Visual C++ Redistributable Runtimes — Overview

Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Runtimes are a collection of runtime libraries required to run applications built with Microsoft’s Visual C++ development environment. Many Windows programs—both commercial and open-source—depend on these libraries to function correctly. If the required runtime version is not installed, the application may fail to start or display an error indicating a missing DLL.

These redistributables are provided by Microsoft and are commonly installed automatically by software installers, but can also be installed manually by the user.

What They Do

Visual C++ Redistributables provide:

• Standard C and C++ runtime libraries used by applications compiled with Visual Studio.
• Support for Microsoft Foundation Class (MFC) libraries.
• Required DLLs such as MSVCP, MSVCRT, and VCRUNTIME that applications rely on.
• Compatibility layers for programs built with older or specific versions of Visual Studio.

Because different software may depend on different versions of Visual C++, multiple redistributables can coexist on the same machine.

Why Multiple Versions Are Needed

Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables are version-specific. Applications built using Visual Studio 2005, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015–2022, etc., may all require their matching runtimes. Developers often link against a specific runtime version, so removing older or unused redistributables can break applications unexpectedly.

In modern Windows environments, the 2015–2022 Redistributable is a combined package covering several versions of Visual Studio because Microsoft merged the runtime families for these releases.

Common Components Included

Typical Visual C++ Redistributable packages include:

• vcruntime140.dll
• msvcp140.dll
• mfc140.dll
• ucrtbase.dll (Universal C Runtime)
• Version-specific MFC, CRT, and STL libraries

These libraries enable software to use the Visual C++ runtime without bundling the files directly.

Installation and Use

1. Applications either install needed runtime packages automatically or prompt the user to download them.
2. After installation, programs that depend on Visual C++ components can run normally.
3. Users generally should not uninstall these runtimes because doing so may break installed software.

Visual C++ Redistributables are fully compatible with side-by-side installation, meaning multiple versions do not conflict with one another.

Why They Are Important

Visual C++ Redistributables play a critical role in Windows software distribution by:

• Ensuring consistent runtime behavior.
• Reducing application size (libraries are shared).
• Improving performance and stability for C/C++-based applications.
• Maintaining backward compatibility for older programs.

Without them, many popular games, business tools, utilities, and system applications would not function.

Summary

The Visual C++ Redistributable Runtimes are essential Microsoft-provided packages containing the runtime libraries required by applications built with Visual Studio. They allow Windows programs to run correctly by providing consistent, versioned C/C++ runtime components. Multiple versions can and often must be installed simultaneously to support applications compiled across different Visual Studio releases.