Buzz
Individuals venturing into the realm of information technology, especially those immersed in C/C++ programming languages, cannot escape the influence of Microsoft Visual C++. Surprisingly, even common Windows users, upon perusing their installed application list, are likely to encounter programs bearing the name Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable. What is Microsoft Visual C++, and is it essential? This article elucidates.
Unveiling the Role of Microsoft Visual C++
Microsoft Visual C++ (also known as MSVC) is an integrated development environment (IDE) utilized for crafting Windows applications in the programming languages of C, C++, and C++/CLI. It encompasses tools for the development and debugging of C++ source code, particularly code crafted for the Microsoft Windows API, DirectX API, and Microsoft.NET Framework. Initially an independent product, it has now evolved into an integral component of Microsoft Visual Studio.
Programming environment encompasses the ability to access numerous shared code libraries, enabling programmers to utilize pre-developed code snippets for specific procedures rather than writing from scratch. Such shared code takes the form of dynamic link libraries (DLLs) – a term familiar to most Windows users.
When deploying software for end-users, developers have two choices. They can package those DLLs into their application's installer or rely on a standard distribution package of shared code. Most developers opt for the latter, and that package is known as Visual C++ Redistributable.
There are advantages to using the Redistributable. Microsoft, the provider of these packages, consistently monitors and updates them with bug fixes and security patches. Furthermore, installing the Redistributable just once allows multiple different programs to use it simultaneously.
Why are there multiple versions of Visual C++ Redistributable installed on a computer?
Some are pre-installed with Windows. Others are installed depending on the version of Windows you use. If your Windows is 32-bit, you won't see the 64-bit Redistributable versions. However, on Windows 64-bit, both versions are installed since it can run both 32-bit and 64-bit applications (as illustrated below).
Additionally, if you notice any additional versions of Visual C++ Redistributable on your system, it indicates it has been installed alongside certain programs that require it. For example, if software developers used Visual C++ 2005 (or Visual Studio 2005) to create the program you're installing, you might find Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable installed along with that program.
Is it possible to remove Visual C++ Redistributable from the system?
Certainly possible, but not advisable.
You never truly know which applications (installed on your computer) rely on which Redistributable. If you uninstall a program, it won't automatically remove the Redistributable it depends on because it can't determine whether other applications rely on that Redistributable. Certainly, there might be some Redistributable packages you don't need, but manually deleting a Redistributable that other programs still use could render them inaccurate or, in some cases, cause issues for your Windows.
It might be a bit overwhelming to see numerous Visual C++ Redistributables in the list of installed programs, but if everything on your PC is running smoothly, these Redistributables won't cause any harm. They also don't consume much space on the hard drive.
However, there are errors associated with Visual C++ Redistributable. In such cases, if simple measures like system error scanning and operating system updates prove ineffective, you might need to uninstall and reinstall the required version. If unsure about the specific version, you might have to take a gamble by uninstalling all Redistributables from the computer and then reinstalling them with the latest updates for each package (download the latest installer from Microsoft Download Center). Regardless of the chosen approach, ensure to back up your computer before proceeding!
Here is a direct download link for some versions of Visual C++ Redistributable:
- Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 SP1 Redistributable (x86)
- Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 SP1 Redistributable (x64)
- Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable (x86)
- Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable (x64)
- Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 SP1 Redistributable (x86)
- Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 SP1 Redistributable (x64)
- Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 Update 4 Redistributable (x86 and x64)
- Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable (x86 and x64)
- Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Update 2 Redistributable (x86 and x64)
Now you have a grasp of what Microsoft Visual C++ is and the role of Visual C++ Redistributable on your computer, right? Hope the shared information proves helpful to you!
