Hello Kristen Hurley,
If your Microsoft Visual C++ runtime libraries are corrupted, that will typically manifest as application crashes, missing DLL errors, or installer failures. This is not something that requires remote access by a Microsoft technician; it can be resolved locally with the correct repair steps.
The most reliable way to fix this is to remove all installed Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables from Control Panel > Programs and Features, then reinstall them cleanly. Microsoft provides official redistributable packages for each version (2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015–2022). You should download them directly from Microsoft’s site to ensure integrity. For example, the latest supported package is available at:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cpp/windows/latest-supported-vc-redist
After uninstalling all existing redistributables, reboot the machine, then install the required versions again. Most modern applications depend on the 2015–2022 package, but older software may require 2010 or 2013. Installing all supported versions is often the safest approach.
If corruption persists even after reinstalling, check the system integrity with:
sfc /scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
These commands repair system files and the component store, which can affect the runtime libraries.
To clarify: Microsoft does not provide direct technician access to personal machines unless you are working through official enterprise support channels. For a personal or corporate PC, the supported path is to repair or reinstall the Visual C++ redistributables as described above. If you are in a managed environment, your IT department should handle this through software deployment tools.
I hope you've found something useful here. If it helps you get more insight into the issue, it's appreciated to accept the answer. Should you have more questions, feel free to leave a message. Have a nice day!
Domic Vo.