Do I need these C++ updates ?

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Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable (x64) – 14.32.31332 – 14.32.31332.0
Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable (x86) – 14.32.31332 – 14.32.31332.0

Why are these flagged as needed update ?

Windows 10 Pro 22H2.

I don’t use any Microsoft software packages.

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A LOT of different 3rd party programs over the years have required one or more different versions of Visual C++ modules (which typically get install by that program if it finds one missing from your PC.)

Whenever Microsoft issues an update for one that’s installed on your PC, it’ll get flagged as requiring an update but, in most cases, the program that required that particular module will still work just fine using the older version.

However, the updates are “normally” only issued when there’s a security issue that needs to be fixed so you should install them.

BTW, DO NOT uninstall any of those modules! Doing so will break whatever program required it.

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n0ads wrote:

However, the updates are “normally” only issued when there’s a security issue that needs to be fixed so you should install them.

That used to be the case. However, Microsoft is updating the Visual C++ redistributables far more frequently in connection with the rapid pace with which the related Visual Studio product is being updated. A comment from Microsoft regarding version numbers for downloads of the 2015-2022 redistributables is as follows “Unlike older versions of Visual Studio, which have infrequent redist updates, the version number isn’t listed in the following table for Visual Studio 2015-2022 because the redist is updated frequently. “

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I don’t have and never used any Microsoft product apart from Windows OS.
Why isn’t C++ updated with monthly CUs ?

Why are these marked as require update when versions are the same apart from .0 ?

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I think the C++ updates are covered through Windows Update if you have “updates for other MS Products” selected in Windows Update\Advanced Options.

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Alex5723

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Any software, including third party software, written in C++ using Microsoft’s development tools will in most cases have a dependency on the C++ runtime libraries that are distributed as dlls. Those runtime libraries will be installed by the third party software when it is installed. If they were not available the third party software would not be able to run.

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Sky

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Thanks, but that doesn’t answer my question ? Why are these marked as needed update ?
Will selecting ‘Modify’ run an update ?

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In my experience “Modify” gives you the option to repair or uninstall,  not to update.

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Alex5723 wrote:

Thanks, but that doesn’t answer my question ? Why are these marked as needed update ?

It doesn’t appear that Windows Update is providing you this notification. So if you are using third party software to check for needed updates your question should be directed to the support resources for that software.

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Alex5723 wrote:

Why are these marked as needed update ?

Because whatever program you used to check for updates (the second image from your OP) indicates the versions currently installed are outdated (i.e. newer versions are available.)

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You can download the current versions of the Visual C++ 2015-2022 redistributables for x86 and x64 from the links on this page  – https://learn.microsoft.com/en-US/cpp/windows/latest-supported-vc-redist?view=msvc-170#visual-studio-2015-2017-2019-and-2022.

You can see the version number for the redistributables by examining their properties in File Explorer.

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Deo

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Thanks.
Downloaded both x86, x64.

I am sure I don’t have anything requiring C++.

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I am sure I don’t have anything requiring C++.

C++ has been for a long time and continues to be one of the most popular programming languages, and Visual C++ is one of the most popular compilers. Even programs written in C# and Java and other languages often have reliances on C++ in their code, and thus can rely on Visual C++ too. There are not many applications of note that doesn’t use one of these three languages, so it’s extremely unlikely that you don’t have any programs on your computer requiring (Visual) C++.

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Alex5723

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Sky wrote:

There are not many applications of note that doesn’t use one of these three languages,

Looking at the install dates of C++ versions (My laptop has been bought in 2018) it seems like some software did install C++ (without my knowledge)

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Alex5723 wrote:

Sky wrote:

There are not many applications of note that doesn’t use one of these three languages,

Looking at the install dates of C++ versions (My laptop has been bought in 2018) it seems like some software did install C++ (without my knowledge)

A few things discussed: Here

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Alex5723

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Except for Windows OS and Chrome I have none from that list.:-)

As C++ updates are not part of monthly CUs and as 95+% of software I use is portable that doesn’t install code…?

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Portable software that requires a C runtime will have that runtime included. This has the potential to make your machine vulnerable so patching is recommended.

cheers, Paul

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Alex5723

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To determine which applications installed on a system are dependent on the DLLs installed by the Visual C++ redistributables you can uninstall the redistributables and then wait to see which of your applications fails. Naturally, good backups are recommended before you try this. Otherwise you would need to use tools to inspect the binaries installed by your various applications (.exe and .dll files) to identify those that have DLL dependencies other than for Windows system libraries. This method requires a higher level of comfort with technical matters to use such tools and interpret their output.

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Alex5723

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I updated today both x86 and x64.

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Alex5723 wrote:

Sky wrote:

There are not many applications of note that doesn’t use one of these three languages,

Looking at the install dates of C++ versions (My laptop has been bought in 2018) it seems like some software did install C++ (without my knowledge)

latest versions of apple itunes is one of the apps that do silently install MS C++ (the 2022 version). I know coz I’ve installed latest iTunes on an old laptop and MS VC++ along with it w/out user intervention several months ago

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Alex5723

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