The Visual C++ Redistributable is the "behind-the-scenes" glue that keeps your Windows applications running. It isn't a virus, it isn't bloatware, and it’s best left alone.
App error about missing runtime? | v Check: Is error mentioning VCRUNTIME140.dll? → Install 2015-2022 x64 or x86. | v Check: MSVCP100.dll? → Install 2010 redist. | v Check: Side-by-side config error? → Reinstall 2005/2008/2013 version. | v Still broken? → Uninstall all, reboot, reinstall fresh. visual c redistributable
The Visual C++ Redistributable is a package that contains libraries and components that are required to run applications developed using Visual C++. These libraries are not included in the application itself, but are required to be installed on the system to ensure that the application runs correctly. | v Check: Is error mentioning VCRUNTIME140
While it might look like "bloatware," deleting these packages will likely break several apps or games on your system. Since they take up very little disk space (usually a few megabytes each), there is no real benefit to removing them. If you uninstall a 2012 version and then try to run a program that relies on it, that program simply won't start. How to keep them updated → Install 2010 redist
In simple terms, the is a library of components that Windows apps need to run correctly.