|
Patch reliability is unclear, but widespread attacks make patching prudent. Go ahead and patch, but watch out for potential problems. |
.I am Win10/Pro. After I upgraded to 20H2, there are 5 Microsoft Visual C++ apps listed in Apps & features: 2012 Redistributable (x64 and x86), 2013 Redistributable, 2015 Redistributable, and 2017 Redistributable.
Are these apps for writing programs in C++? If so, I have no need for that. Or might Windows needs them for some purpose that I am unaware of? I’d like to uninstall them and gain some space, if there’s no problem in doing so. Any ideas here?
installed programs will undoubtedly need them (both x86 and x64) and removing them will create you a world of pain, anguish and frustration.
My advice…don’t fix what ain’t broken and forgetaboutit.
If you want more space, add another drive 
They are libraries for C++ programs. If you want to create C++ programs you need to obtain a compiler like Microsoft C# or some other variant free of paid.
HTH 
On my computer I get these when I’ve installed a line of business application – it’s not in the base operating system, so if it’s on your machine something installed it – and therefore wants it.
Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher
There is an anecdote about a business end-user who, looking through the computer folders, found an enormous number of files that were *.dll. They ‘were taking up space’, so deleted them. Later, the computer wouldn’t boot. Wiping the C++ stuff probably won’t kill a boot, but “swiper beware … “. And be prepared for some maintenance re-dos. (If you can.)
They’re not used for writing applications in C++, rather they are used for running applications that were written in C++. Removing them could possibly break an application that you have installed so I wouldn’t advise it. They don’t take up much space anyway.
I’ve got 26 MS Visual C++ Redistributables here, that were installed by various applications over the past few years.
Nothing to worry about, except to be missing one that you may need to run your app.
Windows 10 Pro 22H2
As others have pointed out, those Redistributables get installed by other programs written using Visual C++ or Visual Studio and have been around for a long time.
My Windows 10 Pro 21H1 PC currently has 33 Visual C++ and 3 Visual Studio Redistributables; some of which have been there since way back when I was still using Windows 7.
The last one installed on my system was Visual C++ Redistributable 12.0.30501 on 5/26/21 as part of the Global Protect VPN required by one of the manufacturing sites my Uncle & I support.
Donations from Plus members keep this site going. You can identify the people who support AskWoody by the Plus badge on their avatars.
AskWoody Plus members not only get access to all of the contents of this site -- including Susan Bradley's frequently updated Patch Watch listing -- they also receive weekly AskWoody Plus Newsletters (formerly Windows Secrets Newsletter) and AskWoody Plus Alerts, emails when there are important breaking developments.
Notifications
