Visual C++ Redistributable 2013: a practical guide to Windows runtime errors
If you have ever installed an older Windows application or game and suddenly received an error such as “MSVCP120.dll was not found”, “MSVCR120.dll is missing”, or a message saying that the program requires Microsoft Visual C++ 2013, the problem is usually related to a missing runtime dependency rather than the application itself.
This is particularly common with older software developed using Microsoft Visual Studio 2013. The program may install normally, but Windows cannot start it because the required Visual C++ runtime components are not available or the existing installation is damaged.
What is Visual C++ Redistributable 2013?
The Visual C++ Redistributable 2013 package provides runtime libraries used by applications created with the Visual Studio 2013 C++ toolset. The 2013 generation is associated with VC++ 12.0.
You do not normally need to install Visual Studio just to run a finished application. The Redistributable package provides the runtime components that the application expects to find on the system.
This is why an older application can still require Visual C++ 2013 even when you are using a completely modern version of Windows.
x86 or x64 — which one do you need?
This is one of the most confusing parts for many users.
x86 refers to the 32-bit runtime, while x64 refers to the 64-bit runtime.
A 64-bit Windows installation can run 32-bit applications, so having Windows 10 or Windows 11 x64 does not automatically mean that every application needs the x64 Redistributable.
If the application itself is 32-bit and expects the 32-bit Visual C++ runtime, installing only the x64 package may not solve the problem.
Before downloading anything, it is therefore worth checking the architecture of the application that is producing the error.
For a detailed reference covering the available packages, architecture, installation and troubleshooting, I found this Visual C++ Redistributable 2013 download and installation guide useful.
What causes MSVCP120.dll errors?
One common message is:
“The program can't start because MSVCP120.dll is missing from your computer.”
MSVCP120.dll is associated with the Visual C++ 2013 runtime. If the corresponding runtime is missing or damaged, an application that depends on it may fail during startup.
The same applies to MSVCR120.dll. Instead of immediately downloading individual DLL files from random websites, it is generally better to identify the required Visual C++ version and install or repair the corresponding Redistributable package.
This keeps the runtime components together and avoids accidentally installing an incompatible DLL.
What if Visual C++ 2013 is already installed?
Sometimes Windows shows that Visual C++ 2013 is already installed, but the application still reports a missing runtime component.
In that situation, check whether the installed package matches the application's architecture. A 32-bit application may require the x86 runtime even on a 64-bit operating system.
If the correct package is already present, repairing or reinstalling the existing Redistributable can also be worth trying.
It is also important to distinguish between different Visual C++ generations. A newer Redistributable should not automatically be assumed to satisfy an application's specific dependency on the 2013 runtime.
Can Visual C++ versions coexist?
Yes. It is normal for a Windows system to contain multiple Visual C++ Redistributable versions.
Different applications were built using different Visual Studio toolsets and may therefore depend on different runtime generations.
Removing an older Redistributable simply because a newer one is installed can potentially break software that still depends on the older runtime.
For that reason, it is better to determine which version an application actually requires before uninstalling existing Visual C++ packages.
Quick troubleshooting checklist
If an older application refuses to start, I would check these points:
Read the complete error message.
Look for references to MSVCP120.dll, MSVCR120.dll or Visual C++ 2013.
Check whether the required Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable is installed.
Determine whether the application is x86 or x64.
Install the matching runtime package.
If the package is already installed, try repairing or reinstalling it.
Restart the application and test again.
Avoid replacing individual system DLLs unless there is a specific technical reason to do so.
Windows 10 and Windows 11
This issue can appear on both Windows 10 and Windows 11 because the age of the application and its runtime dependency are independent of the operating system's current version.
An application created years ago does not automatically stop requiring its original runtime just because it is now being executed on a newer version of Windows.
That is why Visual C++ 2013 can still be relevant when troubleshooting legacy applications, older games and utilities.
Final takeaway
When Windows reports MSVCP120.dll missing, MSVCR120.dll missing, or an application asks for Visual C++ 2013, the first thing to investigate is the required runtime rather than downloading random DLL files.
Check the application's architecture, install the appropriate Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable, and repair the installation if necessary.
For anyone who wants the package details in one place, including Visual C++ 2013 download, x86/x64 information, installation instructions and common runtime errors, this
guide is a useful reference.
If you've encountered a particularly difficult MSVCP120.dll / MSVCR120.dll problem with an older game or application, share the error and application name — it would be interesting to compare different cases.
Windows Runtime Explained How to Fix MSVCP120.dll and MSVCR120.dll Errors with Visua
