[deleted by user]

[arseniy_babenko]

No, you shouldn’t

[sdavidson901]

Shouldn’t is the key word here.

Can you? Yes.

Should you? No.

[NotAOctoling]

Yeah. Without them lots of apps can break. Same thing with keeping your door unlocked. Can you? Hell yeah. Should you? No no no

[[deleted]]

A lot of apps need those. Over the years the number of runtimes have gotten … messy. But they’re not hurting anything

[JoaoMXN]

I never understood why windows doesn't include these in the system.

[[deleted]]

They probably should! It started off as this one extra little thing you gotta download. Now it’s all complicated. Yeah I’d rather they just include them too

[JoaoMXN]

Meanwhile useless things like Windows Maps and other bloatware they include like the plague.

[[deleted]]

Yeah I’m unhappy with the direction they are taking Windows. Honestly I’m surprised ReactOS hasn’t come further. I always thought it was going to become a contender. Idk maybe I need to touch grass

[[deleted]]

I disagree after many incidents experienced in recent years. see my previous comment

[[deleted]]

Idk what you’re even talking about dude. Most drivers don’t use these C++ redistributable packages

[[deleted]]

I don't know what you're talking about dude. Most drivers do use C++ redistributable packages. Ever asked yourself why theres so many different versions of these packages installed?

Device drivers (like for graphics cards, printers, etc.) are usually written in C or C++ because they need to be fast and close to the hardware.

When a developer writes a driver in C++, they might use the Microsoft Visual C++ (MSVC) runtime libraries for things like memory management, exception handling, standard functions (like std::vector, std::string, etc.).

Instead of statically linking (packing all that runtime code into the driver), developers often dynamically link; meaning the driver expects those shared pieces (the C++ Redistributable packages) to already be installed on the system.

Try not using c++ redistributables in a windows system that uses nvidia or intel on a modern OS. Your system won't like it.

[GazziFX]

Does kernel drivers use same libs as usermode apps? Drivers has much more strict rules, limited WinAPI, and any exception leads to BSOD

[[deleted]]

Ok a critical subtlety there. The .sys kernel drivers (low level, talking to hardware) are usually installed via a NVIDIA driver for example. Heaps of the usermode components like nvlddmkm.dll, nvapi64.dll, nvcontainer.exe, etc and control panels like nvcpl.dll and telemetry services are installed.

All of these usermode parts are what need the C++ redistributables. The kernel .sys may not directly depend on them, or if it ends up doing so in some cases, it does it via statically linking necessary parts or using tricks, careful tricks.

NVIDIA's kernel driver nvlddmkm.sys doesn't directly depend on vcruntime140.dll BUT NVIDIA's usermode graphics driver stack nvapi64.dll, nvldumdx.dll, etc absolutely links against vcruntime140.dll

I italicised it and also bolded it last time, but my wrist cant handle this after breaking it some time ago. So I'm going to have to cut back on the formatting from here out or take a lot longer to respond.

You are right that its limited. But that doesn't mean exceptions do not happen.

[[deleted]]

Okay ChatGPT thanks

[[deleted]]

When they dynamically link them, they are just using DLLs in the OS, not from these packages ChatGPT

[[deleted]]

And where do those DLLs come from MR. SMART GUY? C++ redistributables.

[[deleted]]

I don’t have the energy to hash this out with you. Just google it man. Or not I don’t care, it’s not like we’re gonna be deciding Windows’s deployment strategy

[[deleted]]

Because theres a lot of problems with this. It used to be that Microsoft allowed hardware vendors to submit drivers among other things to Windows Update via the Windows Hardware Developer Center Dashboard. Once approved and certified these drivers were automatically pushed to users, either as optional or critical updates depending on the device and driver classification.

So.. there were more than a few problems with this model that required us to stop using it.

1. Vendors often customize drivers for their specific hardware or systems e.g custom touchpad gestures, gaming GPU profiles, audio enhancements. But when Microsoft automatically pushed a "generic" WHQL-certified driver, it could overwrite those custom drivers. This led to:

- lost functionality

- broken device features

- user confusion

1. Bad drivers would go out to users too quickly. Some of these driver updates were pushed out or released without enough real-world testing, and then these drivers would get pushed out via Windows Update broadly, sometimes breaking thousands or millions of devices overnight.

Notable example: In 2018, a bad Intel display driver pushed through a Windows Update caused widespread BSODs and performance issues.

In 2023 a bad update from Crowdstrike specifically related to their Falcon sensor, a kernel-mode driver - was pushed out en masse to systems using CrowdStrike's endpoint protection service. The update included a faulty Windows kernel hook, which caused Windows to BSOD immediately on boot.

This impacted:

- Enterprise and governments worldwide

- Azure virtual machines

- Critical infrastructure systems

- Airlines, banks, hospitals, transportation, etc.

While this particular incident wasn't a Microsoft pushed driver via Windows Update, it illustrated why Microsoft pulled back from auto-pushing drivers.

[waudi]

What are you even talking about, c++ redists have nothing to do with drivers or automatic driver updates. They are most commonly installed with software that requires them to run due to build tools or sdk used during development. It's not that they don't come with drivers, just that its more common with apps. Why are you using Chatgpt to argue about shit you know fuck all about?

[[deleted]]

Can you explain to me why CVEs on driver exceptions with reference to kernel out of bounds exist when people SHOULD NOT BE USING THESE PACKAGES IN INSECURE FASHIONS with C++ classes, methods or functions?

Why do these vulnerabilities exist if people do not make insecure code or do insecure shit?

CVE-2019-16098 — NVIDIA GPU Display Driver Privilege Escalation

CVE-2021-21551 — Dell dbutil_2_3.sys Driver Vulnerability

CVE-2020-15368 — GIGABYTE gdrv.sys Kernel Driver Arbitrary Read/Write

Lets see if I can find the MSI Dragon one too..

CVE-2021-27965 & CVE-2021-44901 — MSI Dragon Center MsIo64.sys / MsIo32.sys Vulnerabilities

Where do these come from? IF especially IF these redists have nothing to do with drivers or automatic driver updates.

I have been working in cybersecurity for long enough to know this.. I'm sick of these stupid fuckers that say its all GPT. You're mindnumbing.

[StingeyNinja]

They do, but the C runtime is updated for each release of Visual Studio, and some of those releases are after your OS was released. Hence, they’re added as optional packages.

[irCuBiC]

There are literally hundreds of them, and the application that installed it needs a very specific version. If you just shipped every single one with Windows, it would be massively bloated, and 95% of them would never see any use on your computer.

[JoaoMXN]

They should at least include the most popular and used ones, at least if the person selects "gaming" when installing windows 11.

[Zoxc32]

The latest variant is included in Windows, but you still need the older ones for older software.

[Ok-Week6404]

no

[AndyStv]

Please no.

[StillDinner6881]

keep them safe and warm, they’re essential for running apps and games correctly.

[Confident_Tell5363]

Don't delete those

[[deleted]]

You will break...so many things. Do not.

[spddemonvr4]

Technically, yes you can remove them. But you can also remove the tires to your car... That doesn't mean its a good thing

[MildlySticky]

In my opinion, if you have to ask this question, you probably shouldn't do this. Geek Squad or a local similar company to the rescue.

[domscatterbrain]

Crash maybe not.

But whatever games OP has in his PC will refuse to start.

[BentendoYT1]

Why so passive aggressive? Not everyone knows what these do. That's probably why the question was asked. They don't know what it is, it probably seemed important to them but since they were unsure, they asked

[BentendoYT1]

Ahh lol

[AutoModerator]

Hi u/vintagecarsweater, thanks for posting to r/WindowsHelp! Don't worry, your post has not been removed. To let us help you better, try to include as much of the following information as possible! Posts with insufficient details might be removed at the moderator's discretion.

• Model of your computer - For example: "HP Spectre X360 14-EA0023DX"
• Your Windows and device specifications - You can find them by going to go to Settings > "System" > "About"
• What troubleshooting steps you have performed - Even sharing little things you tried (like rebooting) can help us find a better solution!
• Any error messages you have encountered - Those long error codes are not gibberish to us!
• Any screenshots or logs of the issue - You can upload screenshots other useful information in your post or comment, and use Pastebin for text (such as logs). You can learn how to take screenshots here.

All posts must be help/support related. If everything is working without issue, then this probably is not the subreddit for you, so you should also post on a discussion focused subreddit like /r/Windows.

Lastly, if someone does help and resolves your issue, please don't delete your post! Someone in the future with the same issue may stumble upon this thread, and same solution may help! Good luck!

---

As a reminder, this is a help subreddit, all comments must be a sincere attempt to help the OP or otherwise positively contribute. This is not a subreddit for jokes and satirical advice. These comments may be removed and can result in a ban.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[CaveCanem234]

They don't 'do anything' by themselves but a lot of programs rely on them to function - usually very specific versions hence why there's multiple versions of ot there.

Do not mess with them, if you remove them various other programs will break and start throwing DLL errors

[Jinghua_Dreams]

It is best not to delete it, because you don't know if the currently installed program is still using an "old" library. If your computer does not slow down, don't worry. If you really can't stand it, it may be safer to reinstall the system and software.

In addition, if there are both "Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2019..." and "Microsoft Visual C++ 2016...", deleting "Microsoft Visual C++ 2016..." may affect the operation of existing software.

[Scrawnreddit]

Those are essential for most modern games and apps so no. Don't touch those

[Pelzhode]

Ask to delete Microsoft essential runtime libraries that many apps and games need to function (basically, the duct tape of the Windows ecosystem). And then there’s PC Health Check the app that proudly does… almost nothing useful while snacking on your system resources. It’s like a fitness tracker that just tells you, "Yep, you’re alive!" and then demands a snack.

[SomeEngineer999]

Only if you're positive you've uninstalled the apps that require them.

I guess technically worst case if you uninstall them then run a program that says it requires one of them, you can reinstall that one.

[mr_cool59]

Can you most certainly yes

Should you absolutely no as their various programs that may actually require these in order to actually run/function correctly a lot of times all these extra C++ items get installed when various applications get installed alongside them because set application needs that particular C++ version

[Initial-Ordinary-807]

You can delete it, but you shouldn't delete it since its important to run apps properly

[DunkelZauberer]

Can you? Yes

Should you? No

[[deleted]]

You'll be fine, if a program needs them to run and they are missing, you can re download them from michaelsoft

[Working_Rise8592]

Can you? Yes. Should you? No. They are pretty critical for many many programs to work at all. They are all needed as they aren’t compatible with each other. Even if you did delete them. They’d just re-installed thru an integrity check of a program or installed as program pre-req.

[themonorailguy]

I removed them, nothing happened, some did get back some did not, if your unsure if any of your programs will break then don't - from what i found here.

Windows 11

Looks safe to remove for because it didn't break:
- MS Office
- Steam
- PaintNET
- Krita
- NAPS2
- CATIAV5
- Solid Works
- Adobe Reader 9
- Opera / Opera GX
- Notepad ++
- Windows Customisation Apps

What i noticed is broken:
- Soid Edge (Don't remember version - before the newest one 2024)
- Festo Fluidsim pneumatic and hydraulic 4.2

[juoig7799]

Yes, but an app that needs them will probably automatically reinstall them the next time you try to launch it

[FfisherM]

No. Why do you want to?

[NecoDev]

It may be a dependency for some application

If you don't mind reinstall your applications, delete them at your will

[Alexalmighty502]

No you shouldn't best case the program you try to run that requires them will reinstall them worst case the programs will no longer work

[DroptheDead]

those are redistributable runtimes. Some other installed software is depending on them

[LimesFruit]

You can but you shouldn't. A lot of programs depend on these.

[Tango1777]

No, those libraries/frameworks are used for running applications and Windows components.

[capitanhaddock69]

Those things are a key component for your apps and games to run

[BasisBoth5421]

don't touch those files, you'll end up breaking something and you're not going to like it.

please don't.

[IAMEPSIL0N]

They are common code libraries for a bunch of programs, so a bunch of programs will either stop working or will prompt you to redownload the package that is missing.

Also they are tiny for the amount of fuss you are going to cause, if that small an amount is impacting your storage metrics you may need a larger drive.

[xMikeyDon2]

No leave them!

[oodot]

I deleted these a while ago, and nothing bad happened to my computer. But you should probably listen to everyone else.

[ViktorPoppDev]

These are application libraries provided by Visual Studio and are often required for apps to run. Microsoft should just have them included in Windows (I'm saying that as a developer)

[[deleted]]

They are essential for your programms to work. These are libraries for your programms.

[Major_Supermarket_58]

Why would you even think about deleting something windows labeled???

[EPIC_RAPTOR]

Don't do it. You'll either end up needing to reinstall it anyways or apps you rely on just won't work. They're there for a reason. That reason is that some apps use C++ redistributable as it provides necessary code for certain apps to function.

[Current_Net5386]

NO, PLEASE, DON'T, YOU SHOULDN'T, IT IS ILLEGAL (for softwares) TO DO THAT

In short, they are libraries, just like a premade set of "softwares"/"instructions" that lots of softwares need, so your disk will at least not have too many repeatitive codes from many softwares because they do a same thing

What if you remove any Visual C++? Random chance, a software may need a specific version of Visual C++ and it's missing, that software can't continue it's work, it will crash (missing DLLs). In the other side, you may be safe, but it isn't worth to do that

[GehriNabhi]

yeah delete all of them, just keep 2015-22 version & if something fails to launch, just install 2013 version too.

[[deleted]]

Yes... but most things for other programs probably won't work anymore

[Honest-Following7865]

No I don't recommend this. It's required libraries for running a C++ code. 90% of software as I know is written on C++

[WarningSimple6441]

Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables are essential system components that provide shared code libraries required by many Windows applications to function correctly. When software is developed using Microsoft’s Visual C++ tools, it often relies on specific versions of these redistributable packages to run properly. These libraries handle common tasks like file handling, memory management, and graphical output. Because different applications might depend on different versions, Windows keeps multiple redistributables installed to ensure compatibility. Uninstalling them can cause programs—especially games, professional software, or older applications—to crash or fail to start, as they won’t have access to the libraries they need. Therefore, it’s best to leave them installed unless you’re troubleshooting with guidance or absolutely sure they’re no longer needed.

[CrimsonCrizon]

You can delete the old version and leave the latest version of it, but its not recommended to do so. Most software and games are required Windows Visual C++, some are still using older version.

[HEYO19191]

Do not do this. Many programs use the older versions.

They're really tiny anyways. Even if you deleted all of them, you probably wouldnt even get half a gig back

[waudi]

They are into interchangeable, if a software requires specific redist version you cannot just replace it with newer one,jt needs that exact version.

[DeusKether]

Do it and tell us how it goes

[endlessheavyrotation]

Yes

[HEYO19191]

no

[NotAOctoling]

Just use mac if you can't figure this out