MSVCP140.DLL for Windows download

What MSVCP140.DLL is and when you need it

MSVCP140.DLL is a runtime component that comes with the Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable. It provides C++ runtime support used by applications built with Visual C++. The file itself isn’t necessary for Windows to run, but many third‑party programs require it to execute correctly. If you see an error stating MSVCP140.DLL is missing, install the Redistributable before launching the affected application.

Typical locations on your PC

On most systems the runtime files are stored in the Windows system folders:

64‑bit runtime: C:\Windows\System32
32‑bit runtime on 64‑bit Windows: C:\Windows\SysWOW64

Always prefer the official Microsoft download for the correct x86 or x64 package rather than copying DLLs from random websites.

Benefits of using a shared runtime library

Programs that link to the same runtime receive fixes and updates automatically without reinstalling each application.
Shared libraries reduce duplicated code on disk and in memory, freeing resources for other applications.
A single installed runtime can serve many programs, so you don’t need a separate copy bundled with every app.
Modular components make large projects easier to organize and maintain across different languages and versions.
Modular architecture simplifies updates: components can often be patched while the system continues running.
Splitting functionality into libraries can make individual applications load and run more efficiently.

Installing and troubleshooting tips

Download and install the Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable (choose x86 or x64 as appropriate) from Microsoft’s website to restore a missing MSVCP140.DLL.
If reinstalling the redistributable doesn’t help, the issue can stem from a corrupted registry entry, a damaged executable, or malware; run antivirus scans and a system file check (sfc /scannow).
Diagnostic utilities such as Dependency Walker and DLL Universal Problem Solver can help identify which modules are missing or conflicting.
Remember that installing the correct runtime usually resolves “missing DLL” errors, but other compatibility problems can still occur between applications.

vcruntime140.dll is a closely related component of the same Visual C++ runtime family. In many cases, ensuring both MSVCP140.DLL and vcruntime140.dll are present (via the official Redistributable) will resolve application start‑up failures.