How to Download VCRUNTIME140.dll and Fix Missing DLL Errors in Windows 10 and Windows 11

The error “VCRUNTIME140.dll was not found” usually appears when you try to start a game, launcher, graphics tool, office utility, or another Windows program built with Microsoft Visual C++. The important point is this: you normally should not download VCRUNTIME140.dll as a separate file from random DLL websites. The correct and safest fix is to install or repair the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package that contains this runtime library.

💡

Quick answer Download the latest supported Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable from Microsoft, install both x64 and x86 packages on a 64-bit PC, restart Windows, and then launch the app again.

Section 01

What Is VCRUNTIME140.dll in Windows?

VCRUNTIME140.dll is a Microsoft Visual C++ runtime library used by applications compiled with Microsoft C and C++ tools. It contains functions that programs rely on at startup and while running. If the required runtime is missing, corrupted, blocked by security software, or installed in the wrong architecture, the program may fail before its main window even opens.

✦ Usually Caused By

Visual C++ Redistributable is not installed.
The installed package is damaged or incomplete.
The app requires the 32-bit runtime on a 64-bit system.
An antivirus or cleanup tool removed or quarantined runtime files.

✦ Do Not Do This

Do not download a lone DLL file from unknown websites.
Do not copy DLL files from another PC unless the vendor explicitly says so.
Do not paste random DLL files into every application folder.
Do not disable security protection just to run an unknown DLL.

Section 02

Common VCRUNTIME140.dll Error Messages and What They Mean

The exact wording varies depending on the program, but the underlying cause is usually the same: Windows cannot load the required Visual C++ runtime file.

Error Message	Likely Cause	Best First Fix
`VCRUNTIME140.dll was not found`	The Visual C++ runtime is missing or not registered correctly.	Install the latest Visual C++ Redistributable.
`The code execution cannot proceed because VCRUNTIME140.dll was not found`	The app cannot start because a required dependency is unavailable.	Install both x64 and x86 runtime packages.
`VCRUNTIME140.dll is either not designed to run on Windows or it contains an error`	The DLL file or redistributable installation may be corrupted.	Repair or reinstall the Visual C++ package.
`VCRUNTIME140_1.dll is missing`	A newer Visual C++ runtime component is missing.	Install the latest supported Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable.
`MSVCP140.dll and VCRUNTIME140.dll are missing`	Multiple Visual C++ runtime libraries are absent.	Install or repair the full Redistributable package.

Section 03

How to Safely Download VCRUNTIME140.dll from Microsoft

The safe download is not a standalone .dll file. It is the official Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable installer. Microsoft provides permanent download links for the latest supported Visual C++ v14 Redistributable packages used by apps built with Visual Studio 2017, 2019, 2022, and later.

Official Microsoft Download Links

Choose the package that matches your system and applications. On most 64-bit Windows PCs, install both x64 and x86, because many 32-bit apps still need the x86 runtime.

Download VC Redist x64 Download VC Redist x86 Download VC Redist ARM64

⚠️

Security warning Third-party DLL download sites can distribute outdated, modified, or infected files. Always prefer Microsoft’s redistributable installer or the installer supplied by the software vendor.

Section 04

Install Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable to Fix VCRUNTIME140.dll Missing

Follow these steps first. In many cases, this alone fixes the error.

Open the official Microsoft download link for vc_redist.x64.exe.
Save the file to your Downloads folder.
Right-click the installer and choose Run as administrator.
Accept the license terms and click Install.
Repeat the same process for vc_redist.x86.exe if you are using 64-bit Windows or if the affected app is a 32-bit program.
Restart Windows and launch the program again.

🔎

How to check your Windows architecture Press Win + I, open System → About, and look at System type. Most modern PCs show 64-bit operating system.

Section 05

Repair or Reinstall Visual C++ Redistributable in Windows 10 and Windows 11

If the package is already installed but the error continues, the existing installation may be damaged. Use the built-in repair option before uninstalling anything.

Press Win + I and open Apps → Installed apps.
Search for Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable.
Open the menu next to the x64 entry and choose Modify.
Click Repair and wait for the process to finish.
Repeat the repair for the x86 entry if it exists.
Restart your PC.

If repair fails, uninstall the affected Visual C++ 2015-2022 entries, restart Windows, and install fresh copies of the x64 and x86 packages from Microsoft.

Section 06

Install Both x64 and x86 Runtime Packages on 64-bit Windows

A common mistake is installing only the x64 redistributable on a 64-bit PC. That is not always enough. A 32-bit application running on 64-bit Windows still needs the x86 runtime files. This is why a game launcher, printer utility, old editor, or portable app can still report a missing DLL even after the x64 package is installed.

Your System	Recommended Packages	Why
64-bit Windows 10/11	x64 + x86	Covers both 64-bit and 32-bit applications.
32-bit Windows	x86 only	32-bit Windows cannot run 64-bit programs.
Windows on ARM	ARM64, and sometimes x64/x86 depending on emulation	Needed for native ARM64 apps and compatibility scenarios.

Section 07

Run SFC and DISM to Repair Windows System Files

If Visual C++ installation does not solve the problem, check whether Windows system files are corrupted. Run these commands from an elevated Command Prompt or Windows Terminal.

Right-click Start and select Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
Run the System File Checker command:

sfc /scannow

After it completes, run DISM:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Restart Windows when both commands finish. Then reinstall or repair the Visual C++ Redistributable again if the app still reports a missing runtime file.

Section 08

Reinstall the Program That Shows the VCRUNTIME140.dll Error

Some applications install their required runtime dependencies during setup. If the app was copied from another PC, restored from a backup, moved to a different drive, or partially updated, its dependency installation may be incomplete.

Uninstall the affected application from Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
Restart Windows.
Download the latest installer from the software vendor’s official website.
Run the installer as administrator.
Accept any prompts to install Visual C++ runtime components.
Launch the app again.

🧩

Portable apps If the error appears only in one portable program, the app folder may be incomplete. Download a fresh copy from the developer instead of copying DLLs into the folder manually.

Section 09

Advanced Fixes for Persistent VCRUNTIME140.dll Errors

If the error remains after installing the redistributables, use these additional checks.

✦ Check Antivirus Quarantine

Open Windows Security or your third-party antivirus.
Check Protection history or quarantine.
Restore only files you trust and only if they came from Microsoft or the app vendor.

✦ Update Windows

Open Settings → Windows Update.
Install pending cumulative updates.
Restart and test the affected program again.

✦ Check App Logs

Press Win + R, type eventvwr.msc, and press Enter.
Open Windows Logs → Application.
Look for errors from the affected program at the time it crashed.

✦ Use a Clean Boot

Press Win + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
Disable non-Microsoft services and startup apps temporarily.
Restart and check whether another utility is interfering.

FAQ

VCRUNTIME140.dll Download and Error Fix FAQ

Q Can I download VCRUNTIME140.dll separately? ▼

It is technically possible to find separate DLL files online, but it is not recommended. The safe method is to install the official Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package, because it installs the correct files, architecture, versions, and dependencies together.

Q Should I install x64 or x86 Visual C++ Redistributable? ▼

On 64-bit Windows, install both x64 and x86. The x64 package supports 64-bit programs, while the x86 package supports 32-bit programs. Many apps and game launchers still use 32-bit components.

Q Is VCRUNTIME140.dll a virus? ▼

The legitimate Microsoft file is not a virus. However, a file with the same name can be malicious if it comes from an unknown website, suspicious archive, cracked software, or a modified installer. Use Microsoft’s redistributable installer whenever possible.

Q Why does the error appear after reinstalling Windows? ▼

A clean Windows installation does not necessarily include every runtime library required by third-party software. After reinstalling Windows, install your apps normally and then install the Visual C++ Redistributable packages required by those apps.

Q What is the difference between VCRUNTIME140.dll and VCRUNTIME140_1.dll? ▼

Both are Visual C++ runtime components, but they belong to different runtime requirements. If either file is missing, installing the latest supported Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable is still the correct first fix.

Conclusion

Best Way to Fix VCRUNTIME140.dll Errors Safely

The best fix for VCRUNTIME140.dll missing, VCRUNTIME140.dll not found, and related Visual C++ runtime errors is to install or repair the official Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable. Avoid standalone DLL download sites, install both x64 and x86 packages on 64-bit Windows, and restart the PC before testing the app again.

🗺 Recommended Fix Order

Use this order: Install Visual C++ x64 and x86 → Repair existing packages → Restart Windows → Run SFC and DISM → Reinstall the affected program → Check antivirus quarantine and app logs. This resolves the vast majority of VCRUNTIME140.dll errors without manually copying DLL files.