Nov 20, 2013 The Visual C Redistributable Packages install runtime components that are required to run C applications built with Visual Studio 2012. Breaking news from around the world Get the Bing + MSN extension. No thanks Add it now. Skip to main content.
//I’m wondering if I need all of these Microsoft programs on here, like Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 redistributable or Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 redistributable. It’s taking up space on my hard drive and I’m wondering if those programs are really necessary.
Time for my most common, yet most annoying answer:
it depends.
I’ll describe what the Visual C++ redistributables are all about, and why the safest thing to do is probably to leave them alone.
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Visual C++ Redistributables
C++ is a programming language — one of several languages authors use to create software.
Visual C++ is Microsoft’s implementation of the tools those authors use.
When authors write software using Microsoft Visual C++, they make use of what are called “standard libraries”. These are collections of pre-written software that allow programmers to avoid writing common sequences of code. Instead, they use this collection of pre-written and very thoroughly-tested software.
They’re termed “redistributable” because they are Microsoft software that can be distributed by third-party programs. When you install a program, the setup program has the option of installing the Visual C++ Redistributable if it’s not present. On the other hand, if you have five programs using the Visual C++ Redistributable, there only needs to be one copy of it on your computer, installed by the first of the five to have been installed.
There are, of course, multiple different versions of the Visual C++ Redistributable, and apparently newer ones do not necessarily supersede the older ones. For example, the Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable doesn’t automatically replace the Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable — both may be needed. Much like the .NET Framework, you can end up with more than one version on your machine.
Do you need them?
I have no idea if you need them. I have no idea if you need just one or two or all of the several versions that may be installed on your machine.
It depends on the software on your machine.
If the software installed on your machine needs them, you need them. If it doesn’t, you might not. Unfortunately, there’s no easy way for you to tell which programs on your machine require which versions of the redistributables.
But given that they only appear on your machine if software that uses them is present1, I expect you probably do need them. Both.
Leaving them all in place is by far the safest thing to do.
Is it worth it?
My question to you is this: is it worth the time and risk to consider removing them?
In my experience, they won’t give you back nearly as much disk space as you expect. And they’re certainly not impacting system performance if they’re not being used. Ralink rt3070 kali linux.
If you’re in a true disk space crunch, I’d approach the problem by seeing what’s using the most space and attacking it from that angle. You’ll get more space more quickly if you approach it by looking for the space hogs first.
If you’re not running low on disk space, I wouldn’t spend any more time on it.
There’s always a risk of breaking something when removing components that are designed to be shared. There’s no simple way to ensure that there are no programs on your machine that need them.
The only way I know of to remove them with complete safety is to reformat and reinstall Windows and all applications from scratch. That way, only the redistributables you need will be installed.
And after all that, you may find you’re right back where you started. In my opinion, it’s just not worth it.
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Video Narration
Issue:
How to remove and reinstall the Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Libraries in order to correct a problem with Autodesk software, such as a 'general failure' during installation (due to a conflict with installer prerequisites) or any type of misbehavior or crash during normal operation.
Solution:
Uninstalling Visual C++ is done the same as other programs. The different versions and components will be listed in Programs and Features (or Add or Remove Programs for Windows XP). To uninstall Microsoft Visual C++: - Open Programs and Features from the Windows Control Panel (or Add or Remove Programs for Windows XP). A simple way to bring this up on non-Windows XP systems is to type 'programs and features' in the search field at the bottom of the Start menu.
- In the search field at the top right, type in 'c++ redist' (without quotations).
- Uninstall everything that shows 'Microsoft Visual C++' and 'Redistributable' (which should be the entire search results list).
Download and install all of the following:
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 Update 5 Redistributable Package (x86 and x64)
Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Update 3 Redistributable (x86 and x64)
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 Update 5 Redistributable Package (x86 and x64)
Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Update 3 Redistributable (x86 and x64)
Notes:
- The file names for each download are the same, so be sure to not overwrite a prior one before installing it. Download one, install it, then download the next, install it, etc.
- Both the x86 and x64 versions are needed on 64-bit systems. Only the x86 versions will work on 32-bit systems.
- Beginning with the 2012 version of Visual C++, Microsoft provides the x86 and x64 downloads through the same link. Select both files in the list and download them.
- Version 2013 of Visual C++ is a special download. From the above link, choose both the x86 and x64 versions for your locale.
Alternative Reinstaller
As an alternative, there is an all-in-one installer sponsored by Major Geeks.com which will automatically uninstall and reinstall all Visual C++ libraries, including updating Visual C++ 2015 to the newer, rebranded 2017. All products that use 2015 should still function with 2017. Note:
Microsoft Visual C++ Update
MajorGeek.com is not affiliated with Autodesk or with Microsoft. Use at your own risk.Microsoft Visual C++ Uninstall
See Also:
- The latest supported Visual C++ downloads (Microsoft Support).