I'm trying to run an older game on my Windows PC, but it appears to require an older Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable. When I launch the installer, Windows says a newer version is already installed, so it won't continue. However, I can't find that newer version in my files to remove it. What's the proper way to locate, repair, uninstall, or install the required Visual C++ package without breaking anything?
1 Answer
Don’t search for the redistributable in ordinary folders or delete files manually. Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, or Control Panel > Programs and Features, and search for entries named Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable. Check both the x86 and x64 entries, since older games often need the 32-bit x86 package even on 64-bit Windows. You can select the relevant entry and choose Modify or Repair. If the installer still blocks the installation, uninstall only the matching Visual C++ redistributable entry, restart Windows, and install the required x86 package from Microsoft’s official download page.
That’s the part I was missing—I was only looking through normal folders. I’ll check Installed apps and look for both x86 and x64 versions before trying anything else.