Yes, in many cases, you do.
Even on a 64-bit Windows, some older or poorly coded 32-bit applications will look for the x86 redistributable. For complete compatibility, download and install both:
Many modern PC games install both automatically. If you are a gamer, download both to avoid missing DLL errors.
Official x86 link: https://aka.ms/vs/17/release/vc_redist.x86.exe Yes, in many cases, you do
Once you have clicked the official link and downloaded the file, follow these steps:
VC_redist.x64.exe /quiet /norestart
Direct x64 download URL
https://aka.ms/vs/17/release/vc_redist.x64.exe
Alternative official page
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cpp/windows/latest-supported-vc-redist Many modern PC games install both automatically
Note: Always download from microsoft.com or aka.ms domains to ensure file integrity.
https://download.visualstudio.microsoft.com/download/pr/5dff51ca-620a-40ea-8555-f3dfe3dcd578/0CEBE5C652C9710E3FA864AB1F7D52257DA2DFF0A53B3C5D7FA182EE137D39A0/VC_redist.x64.exe
Note that static links change with each update. Always prefer the
aka.msshortlink for the latest version.
File details (as of the latest release): Once you have clicked the official link and
This package installs runtime components of Visual C++ libraries required to run 64-bit applications developed with Microsoft Visual Studio 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2022. Without it, many games and apps may fail to launch with errors like "VCRUNTIME140.dll is missing".
You will never "open" this program. You won't find a desktop icon or a flashy interface. It runs entirely in the background as a set of library files. Its purpose is simple: it allows software written in C++ (which is the backbone of most high-performance software) to run on your machine without the developer needing to include the entire source code for basic functions.
Why the 2015-2022 version specifically? Microsoft merged the binary compatibility of these versions. If you have the 2022 redistributable installed, it covers software written in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022. This is a massive improvement over the old days, where you needed a separate install for every single year. This "universal" approach makes this specific x64 package the gold standard for modern software support.
| Step | Action |
|------|--------|
| 1 | Click the official link: https://aka.ms/vs/17/release/vc_redist.x64.exe |
| 2 | Save the VC_redist.x64.exe file |
| 3 | Right-click the file → Run as Administrator |
| 4 | Accept license → Install |
| 5 | Restart your PC |
| 6 | Verify in Control Panel |