Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable x64 is a package of runtime library components required to run applications and games developed with Visual Studio 2015. It allows programs to access pre-written "building block" code for common tasks like math calculations, drawing graphics, or playing sounds without needing the full development environment installed on your PC. Why Is It on Your Computer?
If you see this in your "Apps & Features" list, it's because a program you installed (like a video game or creative software) requires it to function.
Dependency: Many C++ applications link to these libraries dynamically. Without them, the program will fail to launch, often throwing errors like "MSVCP140.dll is missing".
Shared Libraries: One installation can serve multiple applications, saving disk space.
x64 vs. x86: The x64 version is specifically for 64-bit applications. If you have a 64-bit version of Windows, you likely have both x86 (for 32-bit apps) and x64 installed. Key Features & Components
The package installs essential run-time components for several critical libraries: microsoft visual c 2015 redistributable x64
The Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable (x64) is a package of shared library files (DLLs) required to run 64-bit applications developed with Visual Studio 2015. Without these libraries, many games and professional software packages will fail to launch, often returning errors like "MSVCP140.dll is missing". Core Purpose and Functionality
Run-time Components: It installs essential components for libraries such as C Runtime (CRT), Standard C++, MFC, C++ AMP, and OpenMP.
Dependency Management: Developers use these libraries to avoid rewriting common code (like math or file I/O functions) for every app. Instead, they link to these shared files.
Standalone Execution: It allows users to run C++ applications on systems that do not have the full Visual Studio development suite installed.
Version Specificity: While modern packages (2015–2022) are often cumulative and backward compatible, some older applications still specifically require the 2015 version. System Requirements Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable x64 is a
Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015 - Microsoft
You might think that “2015” is outdated, but Microsoft maintains backward compatibility. The Visual C++ 2015 redistributable is part of a larger family:
Important Note: Starting with Visual C++ 2015, Microsoft introduced a concept of “binary compatibility” across versions 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022. That means the 2015 redistributable can often run applications built with 2017 or 2019. However, to be safe, many installers still check for the specific 2015 version.
C:\Windows\System32 for vcruntime140.dll (presence indicates it's installed).The Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable Package (x64) is a runtime component required to run applications developed using Microsoft Visual Studio 2015. Specifically, this version installs runtime components of the Visual C++ libraries required to run 64-bit (x64) applications on a 64-bit Windows operating system.
Many software programs (games, productivity tools, and utilities) rely on these libraries to function. If a program fails to start and cites a missing .dll file (such as msvcp140.dll or vcruntime140.dll), installing this package is usually the solution. Version Specifics: Why “2015” Still Matters You might
Find the product code via PowerShell:
Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object $_.Name -like "*Visual C++ 2015*" | Select-Object IdentifyingNumber
Then run:
msiexec /x YourProductCode /quiet /norestart
While not always required, rebooting ensures that all newly installed DLLs are properly registered.
As of 2025, Microsoft has unified the download for Visual C++ 2015-2022. However, you can still obtain the standalone 2015 version from the official catalog.
Direct from Microsoft Learn / Download Center
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-US/cpp/windows/latest-supported-vc-redistMicrosoft Update Catalog (for IT pros)