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What is the Lifecycle Policy for Visual C++ Redistributable?
The Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable v14.0 that shipped with Visual Studio 2015 and later is an in-place cumulative update. Any apps built by Visual Studio 2015 or later Microsoft C++ Build Tools (MSVC) can use the latest Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable under our binary compatibility promise.
Starting with Visual Studio 2026, the Visual C++ Redistributable v14 and later follow the Modern Policy with a lifecycle separate from Visual Studio. They are supported according to the lifecycle of the Microsoft C++ Build Tools they first shipped with.
The Redistributable versions that first shipped with Visual Studio 2015 through 2022 follow the Fixed Lifecycle Policy and are supported according to the support lifecycle of the version of Visual Studio in which they first ship, even if they ship in a subsequent version of Visual Studio.
The Visual C++ Redistributable versions that shipped with Visual Studio 2015 and earlier are no longer supported.
See the table below for more details on released and supported versions of the Redistributable. See also Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable latest supported downloads.
What is the Lifecycle Policy for Microsoft C++ Build Tools (MSVC)?
The Microsoft C++ Build Tools (MSVC) includes the Microsoft C++ compiler, linker, headers, libraries, runtime MSMs and other components for building C++ applications.
Beginning with Visual Studio 2026, MSVC 14.50 and later follow the Modern Policy with a lifecycle separate from Visual Studio. MSVC Build Tools releases will be supported for 9 months from the date of first release regardless of the version of Visual Studio in which they ship. Every two years, one of the MSVC releases will be designated as a Long-Term Servicing (LTS) release. LTS releases will be supported for 3 years from the date of first release regardless of the version of Visual Studio in which it ships.
The Microsoft C++ Build Tools (MSVC) versions 14.44 and earlier that shipped with Visual Studio 2022 and earlier follow the Fixed Lifecycle Policy. They are supported according to the support lifecycle of the version of Visual Studio (including the Visual Studio Build Tools) in which they first ship, even if they ship in a subsequent version of Visual Studio.
How is the Visual C++ Redistributable updated?
The Visual C++ Redistributable installs the MSVC runtime libraries. Starting with Visual Studio 2015, the Visual C++ Redistributable is an in-place cumulative update. Each release of the Redistributable is compatible with programs compiled using MSVC Build Tools v14.00 and later that shipped with Visual Studio 2015 and later provided that the Redistributable version is equal to or higher than the version of the build tools used to build the application.
How can I determine which applications on a machine use an out-of-support version of the Visual C++ Redistributable?
Across your network, machines may still be running applications that install and use an out-of-support version of the Visual C++ Redistributable. You can use NTFS file auditing to identify such usage as a step towards replacing those applications with ones that use a supported version of the VC Redistributable. For guidance, see How to audit Visual C++ Redistributable version usage.
What versions of Visual C++ Redistributable, MSVC runtime libraries, and MSVC Build Tools are supported?
Starting with Visual Studio 2015, the runtime libraries and apps built with the MSVC Build Tools from Visual Studio versions 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022 are binary-compatible with the latest Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable. For these versions, we recommend customers use the latest available version of the C++ Redistributable. For more information, see C++ binary compatibility 2015-2022 and Latest supported Visual C++ Redistributable downloads.
| MSVC version | C++ Redistributable & runtime version |
Shipped with | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V141 - 14.16 | 14.16.27052 | Visual Studio 2017 v15.9 final | Nov 13, 2018 | Apr 13, 2027 |
| V142 - 14.29 | 14.29.30157 | Visual Studio 2019 v16.11 final | Apr 2, 2019 | Apr 10, 2029 |
| V143 - 14.40 | 14.40.33816 | Visual Studio 2022 v17.10 LTSC | May 21, 2024 | Jan 13, 2026 |
| V143 - 14.42 | 14.42.34433 | Visual Studio 2022 v17.12 LTSC | Nov 12, 2024 | July 14, 2026 |
| V143 - 14.44 | 14.44.35211 | Visual Studio 2022 v17.14 final | May 13, 2025 | Jan 13, 2032 |
| V14.50 | 14.50.35710 | Visual Studio 2026 v18.0 | Nov 11, 2025 | Nov 14, 2028 |
Note
The version of the Visual C++ Redistributable that shipped with the final update for Visual Studio 2017, 2019, and 2022 will be supported for the duration of the respective Visual Studio lifecycle. Users must be on the latest serviced release of that version to be supported.
What were the support dates of older Visual C++ Redistributable, runtime libraries, and MSVC Build Tools?
| MSVC Version | C++ Redistributable & runtime version |
Shipped with | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| v70 | Visual Studio 2002 | Feb 12, 2002 | July 9, 2012 | |
| v71 | Visual Studio 2003 | Jul 10, 2003 | Oct 8, 2013 | |
| v80 | Visual Studio 2005 | Jan 27, 2006 | Apr 12, 2016 | |
| v90 | Visual Studio 2008 | Feb 19, 2008 | Apr 10, 2018 | |
| v100 | Visual Studio 2010 | Jun 29, 2010 | Jul 14, 2020 | |
| v110 | Visual Studio 2012 | Oct 31, 2012 | Jan 10, 2023 | |
| v120 | Visual Studio 2013 | Jan 15, 2014 | Apr 9, 2024 | |
| V140 - 14.00 | Visual Studio 2015 | Jul 20, 2015 | Jul 11, 2017 | |
| V140 - 14.00 | 14.0.24212 | Visual Studio 2015 Update 3 | Jul 20, 2015 | Oct 14, 2025 |
| V141 - 14.00 | Visual Studio 2017 v15.0 LTSC | Mar 7, 2017 | Jan 14, 2020 | |
| V142 - 14.20 | Visual Studio 2019 v16.0 LTSC | Apr 2, 2019 | Jan 12, 2021 | |
| V142 - 14.24 | Visual Studio 2019 v16.4 LTSC | Dec 3, 2019 | Oct 12, 2021 | |
| V142 - 14.27 | Visual Studio 2019 v16.7 LTSC | Aug 5, 2020 | Apr 12, 2022 | |
| V142 - 14.28 | Visual Studio 2019 v16.6 LTSC | Apr 2, 2019 | Oct 11, 2022 | |
| V143 - 14.30 | Visual Studio 2022 v17.0 LTSC | Nov 8, 2021 | Jul 11, 2023 | |
| V143 - 14.32 | Visual Studio 2022 v17.2 LTSC | May 10, 2022 | Jan 9, 2024 | |
| V143 - 14.34 | Visual Studio 2022 v17.4 LTSC | Nov 8, 2022 | Jul 11, 2024 | |
| V143 - 14.36 | 14.36.32547 | Visual Studio 2022 v17.6 LTSC | May 16, 2023 | Jan 9, 2025 |
| V143 - 14.38 | 14.38.33142 | Visual Studio 2022 v17.8 LTSC | Nov 14, 2024 | Jul 8, 2025 |
Note
Non-LTSC versions of the Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2017, 2019, and 2022 were not supported past the subsequent minor version release. For example, v17.5 was supported only until v17.6 released. For more information, see Visual Studio Channels and Release Rhythm.
Will there be support for legacy Visual C++ Redistributables for Microsoft products?
There are a few specific instances where we continue to support the Visual C++ Redistributable beyond the underlying Visual Studio product lifecycle. This support is for security fixes only, and only in the context and timeframe of the Microsoft product(s) that depend on it. The following table indicates the Microsoft product and the corresponding Visual C++ Redistributable supported for that product. See the product's lifecycle information page for details on the support lifecycle.
| Product | Version | Visual C++ Redistributable version |
|---|---|---|
| .NET 3.5 included in Windows | 3.5 | VC++ 2008 (v9.x) |
| System Center Data Protection Manager (DPM) | 2016 | VC++ 2012 (v11.x) VC++ 2013 (v12.x) |
| System Center Data Protection Manager (DPM) | 2019 | VC++ 2012 (v11.x) VC++ 2013 (v12.x) |
| System Center Data Protection Manager (DPM) | 2022 | VC++ 2012 (v11.x) VC++ 2013 (v12.x) |
| SharePoint Server | 2016 | VC++ 2012 (v11.x) |
| SharePoint Server | 2019 | VC++ 2012 (v11.x) |
| SQL Server* | 2012 (11.x) | VC++ 2010 (v10.x) |
| SQL Server* | 2014 (12.x) | VC++ 2010 (v10.x) |
| SQL Server* | 2016 (13.x) | VC++ 2010 (v10.x) |
| SQL Server | 2017 (14.x) | VC++ 2015-2022 |
| SQL Server | 2019 (15.x) | VC++ 2015-2022 |
| SQL Server | 2022 (26.x) | VC++ 2015-2022 |
| Office | 2016 | VC++ 2015-2022 |
| Office | 2019 | VC++ 2015-2022 |
| Office | 2021 | VC++ 2015-2022 |
* For SQL Server versions 2012, 2014, and 2016 see this page: Visual C++ Redistributable installed with SQL Server alerts end of life or obsolete - SQL Server.
More information
- Latest supported Visual C++ Redistributable downloads
- C++ binary compatibility 2015-2026
- How to audit Visual C++ Runtime version usage
- Redistributing Visual C++ Files
- Visual Studio Port, migrate, and upgrade projects
- Visual Studio Product Lifecycle and Servicing
- Visual Studio Channels and Release Rhythm
- Search Product and Services Lifecycle Information