How to Run C++ Applications with Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack (2007-2018) (x86-x64) full version
Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack (2007-2018) (x86-x64) full version
If you are a Windows user who wants to run applications built with Microsoft C and C++ tools, you may need to install Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack on your system. This pack contains runtime libraries that are required by many C++ applications. In this article, you will learn what Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack is, how to download and install it, how to check and update it, how to uninstall it, and what are its benefits and drawbacks.
Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack (2007-2018) (x86-x64) full version
What is Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack?
Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack is a collection of files that provide runtime components for C++ applications. These components include libraries, headers, DLLs, and other resources that are used by the applications at runtime. Without these components, some applications may not run properly or at all.
A brief introduction to the concept and purpose of the pack
When developers create C++ applications using Microsoft tools such as Visual Studio, they use a set of libraries called Microsoft C and C++ (MSVC). These libraries provide various functions and features that make programming easier and faster. However, these libraries are not part of the Windows operating system. They are only available on the developer's machine where Visual Studio is installed. Therefore, when developers distribute their applications to other users, they need to make sure that these users have the same libraries on their systems. Otherwise, the applications may fail to run or display errors.
One way to solve this problem is to statically link the libraries with the applications. This means that the libraries are embedded into the executable files of the applications. This way, the applications do not depend on any external files or components. However, this method has some disadvantages. For example, it increases the size of the executable files, it may cause compatibility issues with different versions of Windows, and it may introduce security risks if the libraries have vulnerabilities.
Another way to solve this problem is to dynamically link the libraries with the applications. This means that the libraries are stored in separate files called DLLs (Dynamic Link Libraries). These files are loaded into memory when the applications run. This way, the applications do not include the libraries in their executable files. Instead, they rely on external files or components that are already installed on the user's system. This method has some advantages. For example, it reduces the size of the executable files, it allows updating the libraries without recompiling the applications, and it enables sharing common libraries among multiple applications.
However, this method also has some challenges. For example, it requires that the user has the same version of the libraries as the developer on their system. If not, they need to install them separately. This is where Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack comes in handy. This pack contains all the runtime components that are needed by dynamically linked C++ applications. By installing this pack on their system, users can ensure that they have all the required libraries for running various C++ applications.
The difference between x86 and x64 versions
Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack comes in two versions: x86 and x64. These versions correspond to different architectures of processors and operating systems. x86 refers to 32-bit processors and operating systems, while x64 refers to 64-bit processors and operating systems.
The difference between these versions affects how much memory they can access and how fast they can perform calculations. Generally speaking, x64 versions can access more memory and perform faster than x86 versions. However, they also consume more resources and may not be compatible with some older hardware or software.
The version of Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack that you need depends on your system architecture and your application architecture. If you have a 32-bit system or a 32-bit application, you need to install x86 version of Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack. If you have a 64-bit system or a 64-bit application, you need to install x64 version of Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack.
Note that if you have a 64-bit system but a 32-bit application, you still need to install x86 version of Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack because your application cannot use x64 version of runtime components.
How to download and install Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack?
Downloading and installing Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack is easy and straightforward. You just need to follow these steps:
The latest supported versions for Visual Studio 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022
The latest supported versions of Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack are for Visual Studio 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022. These versions contain the most recent implemented C++ features, security updates, reliability improvements, performance enhancements, and standard conformance updates.
We recommend you install these versions for all applications created using Visual Studio 2015, 2017, 2019, or 2022.
The links and instructions for downloading and installing the pack
To download Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack for Visual Studio 2015-2022:
Go to this page.
Select your preferred language from the drop-down menu.
Click Download.
Select either vc_redist.x86.exe or vc_redist.x64.exe depending on your system architecture or application architecture.
Click Next.
Save the file to your desired location.
Run the file as an administrator.
Follow the instructions on screen.
Restart your computer if prompted.
To download older versions of Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack for previous versions of Visual Studio:
Go to my.visualstudio.com.
Log in with your Visual Studio subscription account or create a free account if you don't have one.
Browse or search for your desired version of Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack under Downloads section.
Select either x86 or x64 depending on your system architecture or application architecture.
Click Download.
Save the file to your desired location.
Run the file as an administrator.
Follow the instructions on screen.
Restart your computer if prompted.
How to check and update Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack?
If you want to check which versions of Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack are installed on your system or update them to the latest versions:
The methods and tools for verifying the installed versions of the pack
You can use one of these methods to verify which versions of Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack are installed on your system:
Use Programs and Features in Control Panel: Open Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features > View installed updates. Look for entries that start with "Microsoft Visual C++" followed by year numbers. The entries will also indicate whether they are x86 or x64 versions. You can also right-click on each entry and select Properties > Details tab to see more information such as version number, installation date, and publisher name.
The steps and tips for updating the pack to the latest version
To update Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack to the latest version:
Download the latest supported version of Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack for Visual Studio 2015-2022 from this page.
Run the downloaded file as an administrator.
Follow the instructions on screen.
Restart your computer if prompted.
Note that the latest supported version of Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack can be used for all applications created using Visual Studio 2015, 2017, 2019, or 2022. You do not need to install separate versions for each Visual Studio version. However, if you have applications that require older versions of Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack, you should not uninstall them. You can have multiple versions of Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack installed on your system without any conflicts.
How to uninstall Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack?
If you want to uninstall Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack from your system:
The reasons and scenarios for uninstalling the pack
You may want to uninstall Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack from your system for various reasons. For example:
You no longer need to run any C++ applications that depend on it.
You want to free up some disk space or improve your system performance.
You encounter some errors or issues related to the pack and want to reinstall it.
You want to upgrade to a newer version of the pack and want to remove the older version first.
However, before you uninstall Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack, you should consider some scenarios that may affect your decision. For example:
If you have other applications that still require Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack, uninstalling it may cause them to stop working or display errors.
If you have multiple versions of Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack installed on your system, uninstalling one version may not affect other versions. However, if you uninstall a newer version that contains some shared components with an older version, it may affect the older version as well.
If you uninstall Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack and then try to run an application that depends on it, you may get an error message that tells you to install it again.
Therefore, before you uninstall Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack, you should make sure that you do not need it anymore and that it will not affect any other applications on your system.
The procedures and precautions for removing the pack from the system
To uninstall Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack from your system:
Open Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features > View installed updates.
Look for entries that start with "Microsoft Visual C++" followed by year numbers.
Select the entry that corresponds to the version of Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack that you want to uninstall.
Click Uninstall.
Follow the instructions on screen.
Restart your computer if prompted.
Note that some versions of Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack may not appear as separate entries in Programs and Features. They may be bundled with other software or updates. In that case, you may need to use other methods or tools to uninstall them. For example, you can use Registry Editor, Windows Installer Cleanup Utility, or third-party software uninstallers. However, these methods or tools may involve some risks or complications. Therefore, we recommend that you use them with caution and only if you are familiar with them.
What are the benefits and drawbacks of Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack?
Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack has both benefits and drawbacks for users and developers. Here are some of them:
The advantages and disadvantages of using the pack for running C++ applications
Some of the advantages of using Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack for running C++ applications are:
It enables users to run various C++ applications without installing Visual Studio or other development tools on their systems.
It allows developers to distribute their applications more easily and efficiently by using dynamic linking instead of static linking.
It provides users with the latest implemented C++ features, security updates, reliability improvements, performance enhancements, and standard conformance updates by installing the latest supported version of the pack.
Some of the disadvantages of using Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack for running C++ applications are:
It requires users to install additional files or components on their systems that may consume disk space or resources.
It may cause compatibility issues or conflicts with different versions of Windows or other software on the system.
It may introduce security risks or vulnerabilities if the pack is outdated or corrupted.
The common issues and solutions related to the pack
Some of the common issues and solutions related to Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack are:
If an application fails to run or displays an error message such as "The program can't start because MSVCP140.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.", it means that the application requires a specific version of Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack that is not installed on the system. To fix this problem, you need to download and install the required version of the pack from this page.
If an application runs slowly or crashes frequently, it may mean that there is a problem with the installation or configuration of Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack on the system. To fix this problem, you can try repairing the installation by running the installer file again and selecting Repair option. You can also try updating the pack to the latest version by downloading and installing it from this page.
If an application displays a warning message such as "This application has requested the Runtime to terminate it in an unusual way. Please contact the application's support team for more information.", it means that there is an unhandled exception or error in the application code or in one of the runtime components. To fix this problem, you need to contact the developer of the application and report the issue. You can also try debugging the application by using tools such as Visual Studio Debugger.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack is a useful and essential pack for running many C++ applications on Windows systems. It provides runtime components that are required by dynamically linked applications built with Microsoft tools such as Visual Studio. It also offers various benefits such as enabling automatic updating, sharing common libraries, and supporting multiple versions. However, it also has some drawbacks such as requiring additional installation, causing compatibility issues, and introducing security risks. Therefore, users and developers should be aware of these aspects and use the pack wisely and responsibly.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about Microsoft Visual C Redistributable Pack:
What is the difference between Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package and Microsoft .NET Framework?
Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package provides runtime components for native code (C++) applications, while Microsoft .NET Framework provides runtime components for managed code (.NET) applications. Both packages are required by different types of applications depending on how they are developed and compiled. Some applications may require both packages, while others may require only one or none at all.
Do I need to install all versions of Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package?
No, you do not need to install all versions of Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package. You only need to install the versions that are required by the applications that you want to run on your system. However, if you have multiple applications that require different versions of Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package, you can install them all without any conflicts. They will coexist peacefully on your system.
Can I delete older versions of Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package?
Yes, you can delete older versions of Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package if you do not need them anymore. However, before you delete them, are not required by any other applications on your system. Otherwise, you may cause some applications to stop working or display errors. You can use Programs and Features in Control Panel or other methods or tools to uninstall them.
How can I find out which version of Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package is required by an application?
There are several ways to find out which version of Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package is required by an application. For example:
You can check the documentation or the website of the application developer for the system requirements or the prerequisites of the application.
You can run the application and see if it displays any error messages that indicate the missing or incompatible version of Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package.
You can use tools such as Dependency Walker or Visual Studio Debugger to analyze the dependencies of the application and identify the required version of Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package.
Where can I get more information or support about Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package?
You can get more information or support about Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package from these sources:
The official documentation and tutorials on Microsoft Learn.
The official blog posts and announcements on C++ Team Blog.
The official forums and community discussions on Microsoft Q&A and Stack Overflow.
The official feedback and suggestions on Developer Community.