If you are an avid PC gamer, a software developer, or simply someone who installs a lot of desktop applications on Windows, you have almost certainly run into a cryptic error message that reads: “The program can't start because VCRUNTIME140.dll is missing” or “MSVCP140.dll was not found.” The solution to this problem almost always lies in one specific file: the Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 to 2019 Redistributable Package (x64).
that covers all versions from 2015 through 2022 (and even 2026 in recent builds) due to binary compatibility. Microsoft Learn Summary of the x64 Redistributable Package Official Name: Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable (x64). The Ultimate Guide: Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 to
You may be wondering: “I see a 2015-2022 package. Is that the same thing?” Fix: Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features
Restart Your PC: Once the setup is successful, click Restart if prompted to ensure all changes take effect. Troubleshooting Common Errors Download X64 (64-bit) : For 64-bit Windows systems
The Microsoft Visual C++ 2015–2019 Redistributable is a package of shared code (runtime libraries) that allows software created with Microsoft’s development tools to run on your computer. Without it, many modern games and applications simply won't start, often throwing errors like "VCRUNTIME140.dll was not found". Why You Need This Specific Package
x64 (64-bit) package:
https://aka.ms/vs/17/release/vc_redist.x64.exe
(Note: As of 2024, this link serves the 2015–2022 redistributable, but it remains fully backward compatible with 2015–2019 applications.)
Download X64 (64-bit): For 64-bit Windows systems (most modern PCs). Download X86 (32-bit): For 32-bit applications or systems. How to Install