How to Fix Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime on Windows 10/11

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of fixing the Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime error on Windows 10 and 11. This error can hinder application performance and is often caused by missing runtime components or driver issues. By following these steps, you can resolve the error and restore functionality to your applications.

Step 1: Perform a Clean Boot

A clean boot helps to eliminate software conflicts that may cause the runtime error. Here’s how to perform a clean boot:

1. Open System Configuration

   • Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
   • Type msconfig and hit Enter.

2. Configure the Boot Settings

   • In the System Configuration window, go to the Services tab.
   • Check the box for Hide all Microsoft services.
   • Click Disable all.

3. Disable Startup Programs

   • Navigate to the Startup tab and click on Open Task Manager.
   • In Task Manager, disable all startup items.

4. Restart Your Computer

   • Go back to the System Configuration window and click OK.
   • Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Step 2: Update and Reinstall Your Graphics Driver

An outdated or corrupted graphics driver can contribute to runtime errors. Follow these steps to update and reinstall your driver:

1. Open Device Manager

   • Right-click on the Start menu and select Device Manager.

2. Find and Update Graphics Driver

   • Expand the Display adapters section.
   • Right-click on your graphics card and select Update driver.
   • Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.

3. Reinstall Graphics Driver

   • If updating doesn’t work, right-click on the graphics card again and select Uninstall device.
   • Restart your computer, and Windows will reinstall the driver automatically.

Step 3: Reinstall Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables

Reinstalling the Visual C++ Redistributables can resolve missing component issues. Here’s how:

1. Download the Redistributables

   • Go to the official Microsoft website to download the Visual C++ Redistributable packages: Download VC Runtime.

2. Install the Packages

   • Run the downloaded installer and follow the prompts to install the redistributables.

3. Restart Your Computer

   • After installation, restart your computer to complete the process.

Step 4: Restore Windows

If the previous steps do not resolve the issue, consider restoring your Windows system to a previous state:

1. Open System Restore

   • Search for Create a restore point in the Start menu and click on it.
   • In the System Properties window, click on the System Restore button.

2. Select a Restore Point

   • Follow the prompts to choose a restore point from before the error started occurring.

3. Complete the Restoration

   • Click Finish to restore your system. This may take some time and will restart your computer.

Step 5: Reset Windows

As a last resort, you can reset Windows to fix persistent issues:

1. Open Settings

   • Press Windows + I to open the Settings menu.

2. Navigate to Recovery

   • Click on Update & Security.
   • Select the Recovery tab.

3. Reset Your PC

   • Under the Reset this PC section, click Get started.
   • Choose whether to keep your files or remove everything and follow the on-screen instructions.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you should be able to fix the Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime error on your Windows 10 or 11 system. Start with a clean boot, update your graphics driver, and reinstall the Visual C++ Redistributables. If these steps fail, consider restoring or resetting your Windows installation. Always ensure that your system is backed up before performing significant changes.