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If Windows asks for vc_runtimeAdditional_x64.msi or vc_runtimeMinimum_x64.msi, it is not asking for a missing DLL from the application you were installing. These are internal Windows Installer packages used by the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable.
The dialog usually means that Windows Installer has a registered Visual C++ installation, but cannot reach the original installer cache or source package. You may see the request while installing, repairing, updating, or uninstalling Visual C++ itself—or while installing another program that includes Visual C++ as a prerequisite.
What the missing MSI files are
The two files belong to the Visual C++ Redistributable package:
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They are not standalone runtime DLLs, and they are not files owned by the application that triggered the message. Do not search for a renamed copy on a generic DLL or MSI download site. Microsoft distributes these components through the signed Visual C++ Redistributable installer rather than as general-purpose standalone downloads.
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The missing source is commonly expected under a path similar to:
C:ProgramDataPackage Cache{GUID}v<version>packagesvcRuntimeMinimum_amd64
C:ProgramDataPackage Cache{GUID}v<version>packagesvcRuntimeAdditional_amd64ProgramData is hidden by default. More importantly, the folder may have been deleted, cleaned by maintenance software, moved, or become inaccessible. When Windows Installer cannot find the registered source, the underlying error is commonly 1612. Visual C++ setup may show error 1714 when it cannot remove an older runtime version.
Before repairing it, identify what is failing
Note the operation that produces the dialog:
- A new application is being installed.
- A Visual C++ Redistributable is being installed or updated.
- Visual C++ is being repaired.
- An older Visual C++ entry is being uninstalled.
If the prompt appears during another application’s setup, that setup is probably invoking Visual C++ as a prerequisite. Reinstalling the application alone often does not help because the damaged Windows Installer registration belongs to the older Visual C++ package.
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For most applications built with Visual Studio 2017, 2019, 2022, or 2026, use Microsoft’s current v14 Redistributable. The permanent Microsoft download for 64-bit Windows applications is:
https://aka.ms/vc14/vc_redist.x64.exe
Download it from Microsoft, then right-click the file and select Run as administrator. Choose Install if it is not installed, or Repair if that option is offered.
You can also run the installer from an elevated Command Prompt. For example:
vc_redist.x64.exe /install /passive /norestartUseful switches include:
| Switch | Purpose |
|---|---|
/install |
Install the package. |
/repair |
Repair the package. |
/uninstall |
Remove the package. |
/passive |
Show progress with limited interaction. |
/quiet |
Suppress the user interface. |
/norestart |
Prevent the installer from restarting Windows. |
/log filename.txt |
Write an installation log to the specified file. |
/? |
Display available options. |
For example, to install silently while creating a log on the desktop, open Command Prompt as administrator, change to the folder containing the installer, and run:
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vc_redist.x64.exe /install /passive /norestart /log "%USERPROFILE%Desktopvcredist-x64.log"A current package may install successfully but still leave the missing-MSI prompt unresolved. That is normal when Windows Installer is trying to repair or remove a particular older Visual C++ registration. The newer package does not automatically recreate every older package’s cached MSI source.
Check the architecture before installing
The x64 package is appropriate for a 64-bit application. It is not a replacement for the x86 Redistributable. On 64-bit Windows, it is normal to have both x86 and x64 Visual C++ packages installed because applications can use different architectures.
Install the package that matches the application:
| Application or device | Redistributable to consider |
|---|---|
| 64-bit application on Intel or AMD Windows | X64 |
| 32-bit application on 64-bit Windows | X86 |
| ARM64 application on ARM64 Windows | ARM64 |
Microsoft’s current download page provides separate ARM64, X86, and X64 packages. On an ARM64 device, the x64 package also contains x64 and ARM64 binaries, but the application’s target architecture still matters.
If the prompt names an old Visual C++ version
When the current installer does not fix the prompt, find the exact Visual C++ version being requested. The version is usually visible in the Visual C++ setup log or in the parent application’s installation log.
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Microsoft documents these version-specific URL patterns:
14.50 or later:
https://aka.ms/vs/18/release/<version>/VC_redist.<arch>.exe
14.30 through 14.44:
https://aka.ms/vs/17/release/<version>/VC_redist.<arch>.exe
14.20 through 14.29:
https://aka.ms/vs/16/release/<version>/VC_redist.<arch>.exe
14.10 through 14.19:
https://aka.ms/vs/15/release/<version>/VC_redist.<arch>.exeFor example, a version-specific x86 installer can be addressed as:
https://aka.ms/vs/16/release/14.28.29914/VC_Redist.x86.exeReplace the version and architecture with the values identified in your log. Download old installers only from a Microsoft site and use packages signed by Microsoft.
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- Identify the registered version and architecture from the log.
- Download the matching Microsoft Redistributable executable.
- Run it as administrator.
- Use it to uninstall the damaged old Redistributable, if the installer offers that operation.
- Retry the current Visual C++ installation or the application setup.
This version-specific uninstall is often the important step for error 1714: the old product cannot be removed until Windows Installer can access the matching package source.
Repair Visual Studio Installer only when it is the failing component
If the problem concerns Visual Studio Installer rather than a standalone Visual C++ Redistributable entry, Microsoft’s current Windows path is:
- Open Settings.
- Search for Installed Apps.
- Search for Visual Studio Installer.
- Select the … menu beside it.
- Select Modify, then select Repair.
This repairs Visual Studio Installer. It is not a universal repair procedure for every Visual C++ Redistributable listed in Installed Apps. For a missing vc_runtimeMinimum_x64.msi or vc_runtimeAdditional_x64.msi, use the matching Redistributable installer and version-specific procedure instead.
Collect logs when installation still fails
The error number alone is not enough to diagnose every failure. Microsoft’s Visual C++ troubleshooting guide recommends the Microsoft Visual Studio and .NET Log Collection Tool:
- Download the Microsoft Visual Studio and .NET Log Collection Tool from Microsoft.
- Run
Collect.exe. - Extract
%TEMP%vscollect.zip. - Open the extracted
Tempfolder. - Look for files named like
dd_vcredist_<arch>_yyyyMMddHHmmss.
If another product launches the Redistributable installer, its log may be stored elsewhere. Microsoft gives this example for creating a log explicitly:
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Useful error codes
| Code | Typical meaning |
|---|---|
1603 |
Generic Windows Installer installation failure; the code alone does not identify the cause. |
5 |
Access denied, commonly related to permissions or security software. |
32 |
A file is locked or in use. |
1612 |
The installation source for the product is unavailable. |
1620 |
The Windows Installer package cannot be opened, often because it is corrupt or invalid. |
1714 |
An older Visual C++ version cannot be removed because its cached installer source is unavailable. |
0x80091007 |
Payload hash verification failed. |
0x80070654 |
The MSI package failed to run. |
Address permissions and locked files
For access-related failures, Microsoft recommends temporarily disabling real-time antivirus and applicable endpoint protection, retrying the installation, and then immediately re-enabling protection. This is particularly relevant for codes 5 and 32. Only do this if your security policy permits it, and do not leave protection disabled.
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Also install pending Windows updates and restart the computer before trying again. A reboot can release a locked installer file, but it will not recreate a deleted package cache; a missing old source still requires the matching Redistributable installer.
Check which v14 runtime is registered
Microsoft documents the following registry locations for the v14 runtime:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREWow6432NodeMicrosoftVisualStudio14.0VCRuntimesx86
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREWow6432NodeMicrosoftVisualStudio14.0VCRuntimesx64
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREWow6432NodeMicrosoftVisualStudio14.0VCRuntimesarm64Within the relevant key, the Version value is a REG_SZ value containing the installed version. The Major, Minor, Bld, and Rbld values also record its version components.
Use Registry Editor only to inspect these entries. Do not delete the runtime key or manually edit the product registration to bypass the installer. Doing so can leave Windows Installer with an even less consistent product state.
What not to do
- Do not download a random
.msifrom a third-party file site. - Do not rename another MSI and pretend it is the missing package.
- Do not copy MSI files from a different Visual C++ version into
Package Cache. - Do not assume that reinstalling the application will repair an older Visual C++ registration.
- Do not remove registry entries manually to force an uninstall.
The MSI name is tied to a specific Windows Installer product, version, architecture, and package relationship. A file with the right-looking name but the wrong contents can fail validation or damage the installation further.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Compatibility and older runtimes
The Visual C++ 2015–2026 v14 Redistributables share binary-compatible runtime files. The installed Redistributable should be the same version or newer than the MSVC Build Tools version used to compile the application. Visual Studio 2013 and earlier Redistributables are separate side-by-side products and are not replaced by the v14 package.
Visual Studio 2015 support ended on October 15, 2025, and Microsoft’s Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable version 14.0.24212.0 reached end of support on the same date. The supported v14 runtime remains binary-compatible with applications built using Visual Studio 2015, but Microsoft recommends updating projects and using the supported 2017-and-later v14 Redistributable where possible.
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Recommended order of operations
- Confirm whether the application needs x64, x86, or ARM64.
- Download the current matching Redistributable from Microsoft.
- Run it elevated using the graphical installer or
/install /passive /norestart. - If the old MSI prompt remains, inspect the log for the exact older version.
- Download that version’s Microsoft installer and use it to remove the damaged old runtime.
- Install the current Redistributable again.
- Install or repair the application that originally triggered the prompt.
- If setup still fails, collect the Visual Studio logs and investigate the specific error code.
FAQ
Can I download vc_runtimeAdditional_x64.msi by itself?
Microsoft does not publish these files as general standalone downloads. They are internal payloads of the Visual C++ Redistributable. Use the signed, version-matched Microsoft Redistributable executable instead.
Is vc_runtimeMinimum_x64.msi part of my application?
No. It is an internal Windows Installer component of the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable. Another application may have triggered the installation, but the missing MSI belongs to the runtime package.
Why does installing the latest Visual C++ Redistributable not remove the message?
Windows Installer may still be trying to repair or uninstall a specific older Visual C++ product. The newer package does not necessarily recreate the older product’s cached MSI source. Install the exact older version identified in the log, use it to remove the old registration, and then install the current package.
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Possibly. A 32-bit application needs x86 even on 64-bit Windows, while a 64-bit application needs x64. Multiple architectures and versions can legitimately be installed side by side.
What does error 1714 mean in this situation?
It usually means that an older Visual C++ version cannot be removed because Windows Installer cannot access its cached source. The related underlying source error is commonly 1612.
Should I delete the Visual C++ registry key to stop the prompt?
No. Manually deleting registration data can leave Windows Installer in a more inconsistent state. Use the matching Microsoft installer to repair or uninstall the registered product.
Where can I find the installation log?
Microsoft’s collection procedure uses the Visual Studio and .NET Log Collection Tool, which produces %TEMP%vscollect.zip. Extract it and inspect the Temp folder for dd_vcredist_
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The Bottom Line
Bottom line: the missing MSI is an unavailable Visual C++ Redistributable source, not a missing application DLL. Install the correct architecture from Microsoft, and if a specific older version is stuck, obtain that exact Microsoft installer and use it to remove the old registration before retrying the current installation. Avoid third-party MSI downloads, renamed files, and manual registry deletion.
Official references: Latest supported Visual C++ Redistributable downloads, Microsoft’s Visual C++ installation troubleshooting guide, and Redistribute Visual C++ files.
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