Can You Safely Uninstall Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable?

Quick Answer

Can you uninstall Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable?

Yes, you can uninstall Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable, but only if no installed applications depend on them. Many programs, especially games and older desktop software, require specific versions of Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables to function.

Removing a necessary package could prevent the application from launching until you reinstall the correct redistributable. If you aim to free up disk space, uninstalling these packages generally isn’t worthwhile because they take up relatively little space.

What Is Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable

The Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable is an essential system component that provides the shared runtime libraries (DLL files) required by many Windows applications and games.

• What it does: Rather than being a standalone application, it acts as a background dependency. Software built with Microsoft Visual C++ relies on these libraries to launch and function correctly.
• Why it matters: Uninstalling it is highly discouraged. Removing these components can cause critical software errors, prevent applications from starting, or lead to system instability.

Many users confuse Microsoft Visual C++ with Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable, but they are not the same.

Do Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables Use Much Disk Space

Some users consider uninstalling the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable packages to free up storage space. In reality, these packages occupy very little disk space, so uninstalling them for that purpose is unnecessary.

Their exact size varies by version, but most packages take up only 10 MB to 30 MB. Consequently, even if you have a dozen or so installed on your computer, the total space consumed would amount to just a few hundred megabytes at most.

Compared to games, videos, and virtual machines, Visual C++ Redistributables occupy very little disk space. If your C: drive is nearly full, removing these runtime libraries will not make a significant difference. Instead, try the following methods to free up space:

• Uninstall large applications you no longer use.
• Delete temporary files and empty the Recycle Bin.
• Clean up the “Downloads” folder.
• Move personal files to a secondary drive.

Before deleting anything, it is best to pinpoint exactly what is consuming your storage. MiniTool Partition Wizard features a built-in Space Analyzer to help you quickly locate bloated files and folders.

If the issue is simply an improperly sized partition, its “Extend Partition” feature can expand your system drive without requiring you to uninstall any programs.

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Step 1. Launch MiniTool Partition Wizard and open its main interface. Then select the full partition you want to extend, and click Extend Partition in the left action pane.

Step 2. Select the drive or unallocated space that you want to take free space from, and then drag the slider bar to occupy the free space or input the specific volume. Then click on OK to save the change.

Step 3. Click on Apply to execute the process.

Why Are There Multiple Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables

It’s normal to see several Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables installed on your PC. Here are the main reasons:

• Different programs require different versions. Applications are built with different Visual C++ libraries, and most versions are not interchangeable.
• Both x86 and x64 editions may be needed. Even on a 64-bit version of Windows, many applications are still 32-bit and require the x86 package.
• Older software depends on legacy runtimes. While Microsoft combines the 2015–2022 Redistributables into one package, many older programs still need the 2008, 2010, 2012, or 2013 versions.
• Applications install the required version automatically. If a program doesn’t find the runtime it needs, its installer will usually install the correct Redistributable during setup.

Because these packages take up very little disk space and different programs rely on different versions, it’s generally best to leave them installed unless you’re troubleshooting a specific issue.

Can You Uninstall Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable

Yes, you can uninstall a Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package, but it is not recommended. These packages contain essential runtime libraries for many programs and games, and removing one can cause startup errors, like missing MSVCP140.dll or VCRUNTIME140.dll.

Uninstalling typically frees up minimal disk space, and since many applications need different versions, it’s best to keep all installed redistributables. If you encounter issues, repairing or reinstalling the package is preferable to removal.

The following table can help you decide whether it’s appropriate to uninstall a Visual C++ Redistributable.

What Happens If You Uninstall Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable

Removing a Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable typically does not impact Windows itself. However, programs that depend on that specific runtime library may cease to function properly. Common issues include:

• Applications fail to launch.
• Games crash immediately after startup.
• Windows displays a Runtime Error message.
• Missing DLL errors appear, such as:
  • MSVCP140.dll is missing
  • VCRUNTIME140.dll was not found
  • MSVCR120.dll is missing

These issues occur due to missing runtime components. You can easily fix them by reinstalling the Visual C++ Redistributable or the affected application, which will restore the missing files automatically.

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How to Uninstall Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables

You don’t usually need to uninstall Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables. However, it may help when you’re troubleshooting installation errors, corrupted runtime files, or application and game crashes.

Remove the affected Redistributable through Windows Settings or Control Panel. Then reinstall the version required by your software.

Method 1. Uninstall via Windows Settings

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Navigate to Apps > Installed apps (Windows 11) or Apps > Apps & features (Windows 10).
3. Locate the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable you want to remove.
4. Click Uninstall.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Restart your computer if Windows requests it.

Method 2. Uninstall via Control Panel

Step 1. Press Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box, and then type appwiz.cpl in it and hit Enter.

Step 2. In the Programs and Features window, scroll down the list of installed programs to the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package, and then right-click it and select Uninstall.

Step 3. Click on Yes or Uninstall in the pop-up confirmation window and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation.

Once uninstalled, you can re-download and install a fresh version of the Redistributable package. If you don’t know how to do that, you can refer to the “Download Visual C++ Redistributable 2015 for Windows (X64/X86)” post.

If you still encounter the issue after reinstalling the Visual C++ package, you can try scanning for corrupted system files, installing the latest Windows updates, or restoring your system to an earlier state where your system runs properly.

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Can I Uninstall Microsoft Visual C++ FAQ

Conclusion

Can you uninstall Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables? Yes, but it’s usually not necessary. These libraries support many Windows programs and games. Removing them generally won’t affect Windows but may stop some programs from launching or cause missing DLL errors.

Unless you’re sure a Redistributable is unnecessary, it’s best to keep it. To free space, extend your partition with MiniTool Partition Wizard instead of deleting runtime libraries. For issues or suggestions, contact [email protected].