Visual C 2019 Redistributable Package May 2026

Because different software installers package their own copies of the redistributable, your Windows "Apps and Features" list might look cluttered with dozens of entries of Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables.

If you’ve ever looked through your installed programs on Windows, you’ve likely seen a long list of items labeled "Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable." You might be wondering if you can delete them. Here is the short answer: Don't delete them.

The Simple Analogy Think of the Visual C++ 2019 Redistributable as a set of tools. When a builder (a software developer) builds a house (your app), they don't want to carry a saw and a hammer with them everywhere they go. Instead, they assume the toolshed (your computer) has these tools ready for them.

The 2019 Redistributable is that toolshed for modern apps. If you try to run a program that needs a tool from the 2019 shed, but you never built the shed, the program simply won't work.

Why Do I Need the 2019 Version specifically? Software evolves. The tools needed to build programs in 2015 are slightly different from the tools needed in 2019. The Visual C++ 2019 Redistributable contains the specific instructions and code that modern applications (released roughly between 2019 and 2022) rely on to run smoothly. visual c 2019 redistributable package

Common Errors It Fixes If you are seeing pop-up errors mentioning missing files like:

...then downloading and installing the Visual C++ 2019 Redistributable is usually the instant fix.

Technically yes, but practically no. It uses ~50 MB. Deleting it will break multiple applications. If you must, uninstall it via Control Panel, but be prepared to reinstall it when software stops working.

| Attribute | Value | |-----------|-------| | Full name | Microsoft Visual C++ 2019 Redistributable (x64 / x86) | | Latest version | 14.28.29914 | | Release year | 2019 (updates until 2023) | | Architecture | x86, x64 | | Installed size | ~25–35 MB per architecture | | Replaces | VC++ 2017 redist (partial backward compatibility) | | Replaced by | VC++ 2022 redist (but not fully retired) | Technically yes, but practically no

Report generated April 2026 — based on latest available Microsoft documentation and current support lifecycle.

The Microsoft Visual C++ 2019 Redistributable is a set of runtime library files required to run applications developed using Visual Studio 2019. It functions as a bridge, providing the necessary "building blocks" (standard libraries) for programs to execute on a computer without the developer needing to bundle every individual file with their software. Key Features

Unified Runtime: Starting with Visual Studio 2015, Microsoft moved to a "universal" runtime model. This means the 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022 versions are often bundled into a single package, as they share the same core files.

Architecture Specifics: You must install the version that matches the architecture of the application you are running (x86 for 32-bit apps, x64 for 64-bit apps), rather than just your operating system. x64 for 64-bit apps)

Shared Resources: Once installed, multiple programs can use the same redistributable, saving disk space. Why You Need It

Application Errors: If a required redistributable is missing, you will often see errors like "VCRUNTIME140.dll was not found" or "The application failed to start because MSVCP140.dll is missing".

Games & Software: Many modern games (like Call of Duty: Warzone), databases (like MySQL 8), and creative tools (like OBS Studio) depend on these libraries to function. Installation & Troubleshooting Latest Supported Visual C++ Redistributable Downloads