MSVCP140.DLL and VCRUNTIME140.DLL error

Question

Hello everyone, some days ago many of my apps such as CoPilot, A game I often use, Photos and AdobeIPCBroker.exe stopped working showing these errors:

I uninstalled every VC Redistributable i had in my PC (from 2005 to 2022) and then reinstalled the most recent one, but the error shows up just as before uninstalling the apps, and i don't know what to do. what can i do?

Answer 1

Please try performing an In-place Upgrade. It will definitely help in resolving update errors. Performing this can repair broken operating system files while your personal files, settings and installed applications will not be removed.

Few things to check on the PC

• Unplug all external peripherals except for the Mouse, Keyboard, and LAN cable before starting
• Disable or uninstall any third-party Antivirus program to prevent it from interfering with the upgrade

Download the media creation tool(Click Download tool now) and save it to your computer.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Open the tool and select Upgrade this PC now.

Make sure to select Keep personal files and apps.

It might take some time to install Windows 10. Your computer will restart a few times, Make sure you don’t turn off your PC

Answer 2

Hi, good day!

Have you tried to download and install both x86 and x64 versions of the latest supported v14 (for Visual Studio 2017–2026)? Restart your PC after the installation. Note: Don't install the ARM64

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cpp/windows/latest-supported-vc-redist?view=msvc-170#latest-supported-redistributable-version

I look forward to receiving your update and I'm willing to collaborate with you till we resolve the issue. Do keep me informed by clicking "Add comment" below.

Answer 3

MSVCP140.DLL and VCRUNTIME140.DLL are part of the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015–2022. When they are missing or overwritten by older versions, apps that depend on them fail to start.

Since uninstalling and reinstalling all redistributables did not help, focus on keeping a single, consistent, up‑to‑date C++ runtime on the system and preventing older copies from being reintroduced.

Try the following steps on Windows 10:

1. Standardize the Visual C++ Redistributable
   1. Open Settings → Apps → Apps & features and review all installed Microsoft Visual C++ 2015–2022 Redistributable entries.
   2. Ensure that only the latest supported 2015–2022 packages (x64 and, if needed by apps, x86) are present.
   3. If there are clearly older or duplicate 2015–2022 entries, uninstall them so that only the latest pair remains.
2. Repair the current 2015–2022 Redistributables
   1. In Settings → Apps → Apps & features, select Microsoft Visual C++ 2015–2022 Redistributable (x64) → Modify → Repair.
   2. Repeat for Microsoft Visual C++ 2015–2022 Redistributable (x86) if installed.
   3. Restart Windows and test the affected apps (Copilot, Photos, Adobe, game).
3. Prevent older runtimes from being reinstalled
   1. Check installers or updaters for apps like CAD tools, Adobe products, games, or launchers that may bundle outdated C++ redistributables.
   2. Where possible, update those apps to their latest versions or use deployment scripts/policies that block or remove outdated redistributables after such installs.
4. Keep Windows and drivers updated
   1. Go to Start → Settings → Update & security → Windows Update.
   2. Select Check online for updates from Microsoft Update and install all available updates.
   3. Restart and test again.

By standardizing on the latest Visual C++ 2015–2022 redistributables, repairing them, and preventing older versions from being reintroduced by application installers, the recurring MSVCP140.DLL and VCRUNTIME140.DLL errors should be resolved more permanently.

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References:

• MVC140.DLL Error after Windows OS Updates - Microsoft Q&A
• clear install in progress errors - cannot install Turbo Tax in Windows 11 - Microsoft Q&A