Once upon a time, in the digital kingdom of your Windows PC, a new game (let’s call it "
") or a fancy piece of software was ready to move in. But as it tried to unpack its bags, it hit a locked door with a strange sign: "Error: MSVCP120.dll is missing." This is where the hero of our story, vc2013redistx86
(formally known as the Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable x86), comes to the rescue. The Role of the Hero
Think of your computer as a library. Most programs don't want to carry every single book they need to run—they'd be too heavy. Instead, they rely on a "Reference Section" of shared files (libraries) like MSVCP120.dll or MFC120.dll to function. vc2013redistx86
is the professional librarian who installs that specific 2013 reference section so your 32-bit apps can look up the instructions they need to start. The Plot Twist: The x86 vs. x64 Confusion
You might think, "I have a 64-bit computer, I don't need the x86 version!"
But here’s the twist: Many programs, even modern ones, are still built as 32-bit (x86) apps. If a 32-bit app tries to run on your 64-bit Windows, it cannot talk to the 64-bit (x64) librarian. It only speaks the "x86" dialect. vc2013redistx86
To keep everyone happy, a healthy Windows system usually hosts both the x86 and x64 versions of the Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable at the same time. How the Story Ends (The Fix)
If your story is stuck on a "missing DLL" cliffhanger, here is how you bring in the hero:
Распространяемые пакеты Visual C++ для Visual Studio 2013
vc2013redistx86 refers to the Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable (x86) package. This is a library of runtime components necessary to run 32-bit applications developed with Visual Studio 2013 on computers that don't have the full development environment installed.
Below is a draft piece explaining its purpose, installation, and common usage: Overview: What is vc2013redistx86?
The vc2013redistx86 package is an essential set of files (specifically DLLs like msvcp120.dll and msvcr120.dll) that programs use to execute code. Even if you have a 64-bit version of Windows, you often need this x86 (32-bit) version because many older games and utilities are built as 32-bit applications. Key Features Once upon a time, in the digital kingdom
Application Compatibility: Allows 32-bit software built with Visual C++ 2013 to run smoothly on your system.
Non-Intrusive: It is not a core Windows OS file and generally causes very few system issues.
Automatic Deployment: Often bundled by software developers with their installers to ensure the program works immediately after installation. How to Install
If you encounter errors like "Missing DLL" when trying to launch a program, you can manually install the package from official Microsoft download pages:
Download: Visit the Microsoft site and select the x86 version (vcredist_x86.exe). Run: Open the downloaded executable.
Repair/Install: Choose "Install" or "Repair" if it is already present but corrupted. msvcp120.dll (C++ standard library)
Restart: A system reboot is often required to finalize the registration of the new libraries. Common Locations
The package files are typically stored in the System32 or SysWOW64 folders, while the installer cache is often located in:C:\ProgramData\Package Cache\.
Visual C++ Redistributable Packages for Visual Studio 2013 - Microsoft
VC 2013 uses Windows SxS via manifests. Multiple versions (VC 2005, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015‑2022) can coexist. The x86 package installs assemblies into:
C:\Windows\WinSxS\x86_microsoft.vc120.crt_*
Microsoft releases a new version of the Visual C++ Redistributable roughly every year. vc2013redistx86 refers specifically to the 2013 edition. Common version numbers include:
msvcr120.dll (C runtime), msvcp120.dll (C++ standard library)Often, yes. When you install a game from Steam or Epic that requires VC 2013, the platform’s installer will attempt to run vc2013redistx86 silently. However, administrator rights may block it. If you see errors, run the standalone installer yourself.
| Error | Cause | Fix |
|-------|-------|-----|
| 0x80070666 | Another version already installed | Uninstall all VC 2013 redists, reboot, reinstall |
| 0x80240017 | Windows Update missing prerequisites | Install KB2919355 (Windows 8.1) or KB2999226 (Win7) |
| 0x80070005 | Permission denied | Run as Administrator |
| 0x80070570 | Corrupted download | Redownload from Microsoft official source |
| Code | Meaning |
|-------|---------|
| 0 | Success |
| 3010 | Success, reboot required |
| 1638 | Another version already installed (equal or higher) |
| 1603 | Fatal error during installation |