Instead of embedding (statically linking) that code into every single .exe (which wastes disk space and memory), Windows loads a shared DLL: VCRUNTIME140.dll .
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\2022\Community\VC\Redist\MSVC\v143\ This works well for portable apps. Use Dependency Walker or the built-in dumpbin tool: visual studio runtime
It’s frustrating. But once you understand what this runtime actually is , that error becomes easy to prevent and fix. In simple terms: when you write C++ code (or use libraries written in C++), your program relies on standard functions like printf , malloc , or memcpy . The Visual C++ Runtime is the DLL that provides those functions at runtime. Instead of embedding (statically linking) that code into
End users don’t have Visual Studio. So you have to ship the runtime. 1. Ship the Redistributable (Most Common) Microsoft provides official redistributable packages. Bundle them with your installer. But once you understand what this runtime actually
# GitHub Actions example - name: Install VC++ Redist run: | curl -L -o vc_redist.exe https://aka.ms/vs/17/release/vc_redist.x64.exe .\vc_redist.exe /install /quiet /norestart Or use the pre-installed Visual Studio image that already has runtimes. The Visual Studio Runtime isn’t magic or mysterious. It’s just a system DLL that Microsoft expects you to redistribute.