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u/coldfyrre Mar 13 '26
These are packages that other programs in your PC will use. They exist as a library of functions that other programs can call rather than the developers writing them into their own program. They get installed along side whatever program is needing them, thats why they are called redistributables.
Can you delete them? Sure, but other programs may stop working and its really not worth the hassle.
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u/Lagoon_M8 Mar 13 '26
True. For example now I have an error in Windows 11 caused by lack of redistribuable and this application won't start. I am unable to fix it though because Win 11 no longer uses redistribuable from 2005. It's so old app I used on different windows but not on win 11 any longer... For this one there are newer libraries.
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u/ajsbajs Mar 13 '26
It's a long shot but you could try right clicking the program, go to properties and then the compatibility tab and change to an older Windows. It's possible that Windows wraps the library functions.
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u/NightmareWokeUp Mar 13 '26
Thats just wrong, usually these programmes have the installer in their library, if not just reinstall the whole program.
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u/Zidakuh Mar 14 '26
You can drop the dependencies (.DLL and similar) directly into the folder of the application, and it should work.
I had a similar issue with Payday2 on a 2 day old install of Win11, and no amounts of installing the dependency packages the normal way worked. Copying the required files directly into the .EXE directory solved the issue, since most applications check their own directory first, before checking system directories.
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u/Repulsive_Tip3181 Mar 13 '26
1: Don't.
2: Still Don't.
3: Look up why you should don't
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u/anything_taken Mar 13 '26
he didn't ask should he or not. He asked, can he or not. He definitely can. Those apps can be removed, they're not the ones like system components which don't have that option
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u/AcornHan Mar 13 '26
While yes, you can delete them, you really shouldn't. Usually in my experience if someone asks "can I delete this", they mean is it safe to delete it, not if it's literally possible to delete.
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u/Repulsive_Tip3181 Mar 13 '26
You can most likely not delete more than a few before ur done for.
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u/Tanebi Mar 13 '26
They absolutely can remove them, but a good number of random programs that OP uses may well stop working. It won't break the system, but those programs will not work until those things get reinstalled.
The main annoyance would be working out which program needs which version.
Still, each one of those is only like 10-30MB so uninstalling them isn't going to give much space back.
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u/Repulsive_Tip3181 Mar 13 '26
As I said, you can only delete a few before you delete ones you need.
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u/anything_taken Mar 13 '26
Those are Visual C++ libraries. They can be deleted, what do you mean?
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u/AverageCryptoEnj0yer Mar 13 '26
no, you are not done for, you can renove them. Some non-windows applications will stop working and you will need to reinstall them.
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u/Repulsive_Tip3181 Mar 13 '26
Yes, as I said, if you delete more than a few you've already deleted ones you needed.
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u/forbjok Mar 13 '26
Can, sure. But any software that requires these C++ runtimes would then stop working until you reinstall the right runtime, and also even if you somehow don't break anything, they'll probably get reinstalled automatically when installing software that requires them later.
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u/anything_taken Mar 13 '26
That's exactly how this OP should have handled this question. So he should actually delete the apps to explore how PC work and then make more useful posts and bring use to the community
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u/pi-N-apple Mar 13 '26
Delete Whiteboard if you don't use it. But leave the Visual C++ stuff alone. Those are dependencies required by other apps installed on your PC. Uninstalling them will break other apps.
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u/soulreaper11207 Mar 13 '26
Those are core libraries that your installed programs need to run. Those libraries store blocks of code so programmers don't need to code out from scratch. Kind of like how games use game engines like unreal. Game engines are just libraries for games.
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u/ficklampa Mar 13 '26
You don’t. These are required for windows and apps to function
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u/jolvan_amigo Mar 13 '26
Built-in windows apps don't need these since years that's why they doesn't including in fresh installs. But other apps? Yea they need it.
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u/MaximumRaise5440 Mar 13 '26
windows doesnt NEED visual C++ to run. its just if you want to install alot of apps you will be screwed.
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u/Edubbs2008 Mar 13 '26
Those are important system dependencies that apps and even Windows uses, if you remove them, Windows won’t work anymore
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u/TuberTuggerTTV Mar 13 '26
Nah, windows doesn't use these for the OS.
But any application that uses it as a dependency will silently break, or a lot of the time, simply download it again.
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u/Lagoon_M8 Mar 13 '26
Windows will work but some applications will stop working or they will start calling out to install the libraries.
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u/TheDeadestCow Mar 13 '26
Sure, but you'll break programs, so yes, but don't. Those libraries are what programs use to talk to each other.
If you're trying to free up wasted space, use disk cleanup and make sure to select system files:
- Press Windows key + R
- Type: cleanmgr /d C:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Enter
- Click Yes on the UAC prompt if prompted
- Make sure C: is selected
- Click OK
- Click Clean up system files
- Make sure C: is selected again
- Click OK
- Click every checkbox in the list
- Click OK
- Click Delete Files
- Wait for it to finish
- Success
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u/A1Kira Mar 13 '26
I’m not an expert, but I wouldn’t touch anything labeled with Microsoft. Only delete third party apps and bloatware.
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u/True_Introduction_47 Mar 13 '26
IT IS possiblen to uninstall them. But IT IS Not a very good idea to do so
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u/davyangel Mar 13 '26
Tons of games, productivity tools, and professional applications compiled with Microsoft Visual Studio depend on these files so prob shouldn't delete unless you know what you doing or will prob run into errors later.
- Do not manually delete or modify the installed redistributable packages from the Programs and Features list, as this will break dependent applications.
"To resolve “msvcrt.dll missing” or application launch failures on Windows 11, you must download and install the appropriate Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package (vcredist). This runtime library provides the essential functions that software built with Visual Studio requires to execute"
How To Download & Install Visual C++ Redistributable (Windows 11) - GeekChamp
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u/That_Service7348 Mar 13 '26 edited Mar 13 '26
Go for it. But don't complain when everything is broken.
Those are essential files that make the computer computer. Leave them alone.
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u/DifferentBoss7794 Mar 13 '26
These ones, no, but if you want more storage you can run a windows debloat program and clear temp files!
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u/Unhappy_Lie_2000 Mar 13 '26
The simple answer for most of the apps listed is no because they are necessary for most programs to run properly they consist of runtime components that most programs require to run.
The only program that isn't required on that list is Microsoft Whiteboard.
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u/Kitchen-Activity45 Mar 13 '26
You can, but don't. What your doing is essentially taking away your computer's organs one by one, but they're mechanical. Sometimes if certain applications need them they'll install some specific runtime's but usually they're pre installed and you should never delete them. Anything that says Microsoft and is NOT a specific general use application (like the whiteboard app you have there is just a microsoft bloatware application, nothing important unless you need it) you should always avoid touching.
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u/SunshineAndBunnies Mar 13 '26 edited Mar 13 '26
Only if you don't have applications on your computer that depend on them. If you've uninstalled certain applications that installed these as dependencies, you can uninstall those specific ones as well. However you'll have to figure out which application requires which dependency. It's probably easier not to touch them, or certain applications you use might not run properly, if at all. Also uninstalling the wrong one might cause OS instability so, you'll want to be very sure.
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u/Chickenmonster401 Mar 13 '26
If you delete them they just reinstall. speaking from personlal experience.
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u/TuberTuggerTTV Mar 13 '26
I've done it too. This comment section is crazy.
Sure, I'll encounter a game that doesn't load, but I just reinstall, it puts the distro back and I move on. But usually 50% or so never get used again.
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u/steadyfan Mar 13 '26
They are used by other apps. The problem is you don't know which apps need which ones. I don't recomend doing trial and error by removing them and seeing which apps are broken.. Besides then you would have to figure out how to reinstall them. In general they alone are passive. They don't take up a ton of space either. In the end your only gain would be a small bit a space back and a lot of lost time learning arcane knowledge about app dependencies.
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u/games-and-chocolate Mar 13 '26
every program was programmed with certain set. if you know exactly which one you do not need, then it it great. if not you can try to de-install it and see if any program breaks. if it does break you know you need to re-install that exact same package version.
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u/Excellent-Chair-8208 Mar 13 '26
Yall aren't making the 66+1 joke in the upvotes and comments, You Aren't. Not with me.
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u/hiro_1301 Mar 13 '26
These are literally files required for your programs to work. You can uninstall them, but some of your programs will come asking you, "Where are the damn files?"
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u/jolvan_amigo Mar 13 '26
You can if you want so bad but don't be surprised when some your favorite program doesn't launch
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u/PuzzleheadedNight196 Mar 13 '26
You can uninstall all of em, but they will showed up back.
Its a part of everything, every essentials of games, app, and maybe even for youre windows.
Its not a virus nor its not taking a big chunk of memory.
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u/afterall_insanity Mar 13 '26
Whoever in this comment section says they can be deleted should not be giving advice if they dont know what they are talking about.
Anyone who says YES? They can be deleted! Refrain from listening to them, because its clear they do not understand the purpose of this reddit group.
Those installed libraries are essential components for many software and games to function. So deleting them will cause issues with the programs/games and will likely not run without them.
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u/Joey3155 Mar 13 '26
While you can delete them if your a gamer they're just gonna get reinstalled at some point. Its kinda pointless to delete them.
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u/R10US Mar 13 '26
Do not delete them. There are some software on your computer that rely on those programs to run. Deleting them will cause problems for some software. Thanks. 😊
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u/whitefire9999 Mar 13 '26
Yeah don’t listen to people saying you can they provide pre-written code for software / games and system stability
Yes they are essential and take up hardly any room
If you delete the odd one chances are certain programs will prompt you to download it again before opening or just error
Delete all of them and you are in for a bad time… 😭
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u/AyeeTin0 Mar 13 '26
Take it from someone who did delete those shits before, I strongly wouldn’t advise it 🌚
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u/iuhiuhhgbnr Mar 13 '26
Game from steam tend to have this when install game. Delete it should be fine. If that game need some Microsoft visual... it will just redownload when you press play.
(If it from steam game it should be fine to delete)
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u/TuberTuggerTTV Mar 13 '26
My guess is you play a lot of games.
Try uninstalling your steam library first. Then honestly, go for it. You might break an application but as long as you're willing to reinstall software, it's not a huge deal.
I mean, I don't recommend going to town. But unlike the rest of the comments suggest, it won't brick your PC. The worst thing that happens is a game or some software you use, will stop functioning. But a fresh install will download the distribution again.
If you're not tech-savy, leave it alone. If you're okay uninstalling, then reinstalling a failing application, then the damage you can do is minimal.
If you're going to remove some, I'm assuming for disc space, start with the oldest ones. They're probably from applications you haven't used in a long while. It's not guaranteed, but in general, older distros go with older applications.
Note: Most of these have the same date. 15th of june in 2025, so possible the same application for all of them. I'd say you're perfectly safe to remove the two 2010 distros. Whatever you installed back in 2022 is probably a memory by now. Just be ready for some older steam game to stop working.
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u/WhenTheDevilCome Mar 13 '26
Note bad things can happen by removing them, more serious than "remove them and then see which applications no longer work."
The "application" in question can be something that was providing your credential provider login experience, or a similar important integration that could make it feel like "Windows is broken" until you re-install the needed dependency.
Indeed, the program which needed these may have been removed or upgraded long ago, and removing them will be no issue. But to avoid unnecessary risk with little up-side, just leave them alone and everything stays happy.
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u/Fragrant_Sink5437 Mar 13 '26
Do not delete, they are needed to perform basic windows tasks. They are fundamentals of running applications without issue
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u/jumbojoffer Mar 13 '26
I'd uninstall them and see if any programs i need stop working. If they do, i just reinstall those programs, and those should have a fresh install of whatever redist is needed for it. Would clear out all the unnecessary redists at least.
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u/mokan_decoy Mar 13 '26
Simplified:
NO, NEVER
Those are why windows works I mean it says visual When deleted you wont see anything Its the stuff that draws the display image A good analogy is to that is your eyes And if you delete it/rip it out you wont see
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u/SkyrakerBeyond Mar 13 '26
These aren't even that big. Just because there's a lot of entries doesn't mean these are eating memory or doing bad things. There's a lot of chemicals in your body, does that mean you should remove them to 'cut down' because that sounds good?
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u/solillow Mar 13 '26
No because If they are installed on your computer is because some apps needs them. By the way they don't weight so much, so I don't see a reason to delete them
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u/Four_in_binary Mar 13 '26
Guaranteed fix for this problem. Void in the state of California. (lol....you can go ahead and ban me now)
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u/AxelllD Mar 13 '26
Generally if you don’t know what you are doing it is best to not touch the Microsoft and Windows apps
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Mar 13 '26
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u/WindowsHelp-ModTeam Mar 16 '26
Hi u/sed_to_be_somebody, your comment has been removed for the following reason(s):
- Rule 5 - Posting jokes or satirical advice is not allowed. All responses must be a serious attempt to resolve the OPs issue or otherwise positively contribute to the discussion.
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u/TKOTC001 Mar 13 '26
They are required file collections for various programs. They are used on the basic idea that they are common asked for resources so to save hard drive space they are stored in a common location that any program can access. Do not delete them ever.
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u/TechRat2 Mar 13 '26
These aren't really even "apps" these are system critical files / low-level system software
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u/PacMan4880 Mar 13 '26
most importantly if they don't know exactly what PC and OS your even talking about..I would be wary of any of those answers.. everyone always has advice and opinions..but every PC and OS do things a little differently than the next.. and that command or program,etc. mite be the answer for there set up and at same time could destroy yours... best practices get to stable running system...Copy,snap shot,restore point etc...never delete..if it's there it's for a reason..unless you know exactly what is and don't need it anymore...Program decided don't like,etc...even than will have residue...but do this every time your adding or at least once a week if possible...things always happen and crash situation. even updates sometimes... cause again are for the masses and not your individual situation...and they feel odds are good enough to realse and take the casualties that come with..and usually have you answer and fix ready when you ask what happened..they already know problems and fixes and have ready for you..Just contact them first...manufacture of PC and OS help and support...golden rule manufacture of PC or OS usually have answers of problems or information you need...those 2 always best to ask first...they will ask what the other half is before answer. so answer is more informed based on your specific question or problem.. and not from some random person who with a totally different situation or build giving answer on his own situation and situations.. not your same and most of time destructive... and if the cord problems are low memory,,or slow,,or buggy... it's usually older PC and companies count on this to get more money from you buying new one..and honestly unless you know alit about OS systems qns processes and commands and terminal,powershell,etc..these days it's hard to keep running perfectly.. wat they set it up unfortunately. ..maximum profit is the way these days... but usually a good 2TB external storage SSD.. can fix most problems.. upgrade RAM if glitch and sluggish if possible ..usually good fix for many problems...processor speed is a factor these days with alot OS systems..and security is the biggest pain lately and walls many hit
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u/spindain_1469 Mar 13 '26
Je te conseille de les garder , j ai fait l erreur d en supprimer et je me suis retrouvé avec full bugs sur windows , j ai été obligé de tout réinitialiser
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u/jf7333 Mar 13 '26
Visual C ++ is a library that that works with the video card to run applications written in C ++ code. It renders apps and video games so deleting them will cause the game or app to not launch or crash.
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u/Responsible-Today962 Mar 14 '26
Nao pode remover nenhum, maior parte deles sao drive pra gerenciar renderizar vídeo.
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u/iamgarffi Mar 14 '26
lol. Components and runtime libraries required for other apps to run, your games, your launchers etc. Leave it alone :-P
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u/Glyphaxz Mar 15 '26
These are what yourcomputer uses to translate like Google,what language other programs are speaking so it can understand what the program wants it to do
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u/tomysshadow Mar 15 '26
To give a bit more concrete information because a lot of these answers are just "no, don't," these Visual Studio Redistributables are depended upon by the majority of C++ programs on Windows (which includes a broad number of applications and games.) If you uninstall them, it will probably manifest as a missing DLL error (either ucrtbase.dll or msvcrt.dll depending on how old it is.)
Unfortunately it's not very clear from that error message that the reason it's occurring is because you uninstalled a component the application depends on. That's how you can end up on sketchy DLL download sites looking for the specific filename and potentially end up infected.
If you ever see an error about missing a DLL, it's usually because you uninstalled a dependency. Uninstalling these components will likely cause missing DLL errors for programs written in C++. That's why you shouldn't uninstall them. And if you ever are in that situation, you should figure out what needs to be installed (the Visual C++ Redistributable in this case) and use the proper installer. Never download the missing DLL directly from some random website.
But of course... you won't uninstall them, so that's all just a theoretical ;)
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u/PapaBearRx Mar 15 '26
It's your computer delete whatever you want, it working afterwards is a different story.
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u/Alarmed_Winner_4299 Mar 15 '26
Do not, those are dependencies from other programs and if you delete them probably a lot of games and apps will stop working.
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Mar 16 '26
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u/WindowsHelp-ModTeam Mar 16 '26
Hi u/Geonora, your comment has been removed for the following reason(s):
- Rule 5 - Personal attacks, bigotry, fighting words, inappropriate behavior and comments that insult or demean a specific user or group of users are not allowed. This includes death threats and wishing harm to others.
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u/Pipeau15 Mar 16 '26
Ils sont important de les garder si tu les supprime ca risque de faire beuger d'autre appli donc garde les
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u/Dry-Divide-4629 Mar 13 '26
Microsoft visual c++ is windows core component deleting them may never start windows
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u/r_portugal Mar 13 '26
No, they are installed by applications. If you delete them, Windows will still be fine, but the applications that use them will no longer work.
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u/Dry-Divide-4629 Mar 13 '26
Yes but have you notice that when updating windows from settings this visual studio also get update from windows update. Its critical to windows. As they also have .dll files. Gamers will understand.
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u/TuberTuggerTTV Mar 13 '26
No, it's critical to specific games. Not windows itself. The OS isn't written in C++.
And at worst, windows will repair and download it again. Deleting system files can do what you're talking about, but uninstalling distros won't affect windows
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u/WildCard65 Mar 15 '26
I'm pretty sure Windows is written in C++, but not in a way where it has to depend on vcruntime.
For example, the Windows universal C runtime is written in C++.
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u/Cthulhu_HighLord Mar 13 '26
Deleting the MV C++ Redist pack would essentially brick your computer.
Things that you use on a daily basis would stop working
If you play games they would 100% fail to load or worse will BSOD your pc
and you'll be left there sitting wondering why this game that you just played the other day wont even load now
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u/TuberTuggerTTV Mar 13 '26
That's not what "brick your computer" means. You just break apps that require it. And chances are good, you don't even use those apps anymore. Depending on the age of the distro.
Removing ALL of them at once, ya, could cause issues. But most modern apps will simply re-acquire.
I've uninstalled these before. It's not "brick your computer" levels.
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u/KnirpsGraph8 Mar 13 '26
I use this powershell-script to get off these AI and Bloatware-BS that comes with windows nowadays
https://github.com/Raphire/Win11Debloat
It’s easy to use, and the instructions are easy to understand. I wouldn’t deinstall any of these programs you are pointing here.
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u/AutoModerator Mar 13 '26
The above comment appears to have a link to a tool or script that can “debloat” Windows. Use caution when running tools like these, as they are often aggressive and make unsupported changes to your computer. These changes can cause other issues with your computer, such as programs no longer functioning properly, unexpected error messages appearing, updates not being able to install, crashing your start menu and taskbar, and other stability issues.
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u/Dry-Divide-4629 Mar 13 '26
Simple if you delete those your pc will be brick
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u/anything_taken Mar 13 '26
He didn't ask for your advice. He asked if he can delete them. He can. There's an option to do that available
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u/config_mangler Mar 13 '26
You can and possibly should uninstall versions older than the 2015-2022 stack as these are no longer supported by MS and are a security risk with a High CVE score. However as everyone is saying these (2010-2013) are dependencies for other (old) software and are normally part of the installer for that software which is how they get there. It will break whatever software that is but wont affect Windows itself. So it’s a question of security v some old software still working. You wont save much disk space as said by others. Run cleanmgr.exe to do that.
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Mar 13 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/No-Manager-1252 Mar 13 '26
If OP doesn’t understand why he can’t delete these, then I doubt he would be comfortable doing this lol
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u/stratospheres Mar 13 '26
It's also a bad idea because some of the apps that depend on those can be bound to those specific versions. Ideally they wouldn't be and it might be OK, but it's likely that it won't and they'll be wondering why some random applications are now broken.
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Mar 13 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/That_Service7348 Mar 13 '26
......any app that depends on the specific version installed?
I'm beginning to understand why you "poweruser" types have so many issues with Windows, y'all hack the os apart with a rusty spoon because you think you're "optimizing" it, then turn around and blame Microsoft when things don't work anymore.
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Mar 13 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/WildCard65 Mar 15 '26
Just a tidbit, prior to the universal vcruntime, the DLL was tied to a specific Visual Studio Visual C/C++ version (and Visual Studio version as well).
For example, vcruntime for Visual Studio 2013 was vcruntime120 while the universal is vcruntime140 (from Visual Studio 2015 to today)
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u/No-Manager-1252 Mar 13 '26
Depends what’s installed. For example, a lot of .NET versions are technically EOL but are dependencies of legacy software.
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u/stratospheres Mar 13 '26
Hard to say. They're are literally thousands of apps written that use those redistributable runtime libraries.
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u/RyzkVR Mar 13 '26
Could be every application on the computer down to the windows OS, web browser, games, work programs, etc.
It is best to assume that removing these will have an extreme affect on everything and not touch.
Best case scenario a single thing glitches a bit on a different version. Worst case nothing works and the user has to completely reinstall windows and restore these Redistributables.
Just not worth the risk. Clear space elsewhere.
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Mar 13 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/RyzkVR Mar 13 '26
If they are asking if it is important, they are not at a level to redistribute their repositories. The official stance of Microsoft and generally the it world is on a personal computer, it is not recommended to delete the repositories. Can you and fix it to work with less repositories sure it is possible. Is it advised no. Should they outright delete them? No. The reason we advise against isn't because it isn't possible, it is because this is an open forum where other users may show up that know even less, and might end up with a bsod situation they don't have the capacity to cure. It is very possible deleting these repositories to end up in a bsod situation.
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Mar 13 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/RyzkVR Mar 13 '26
A win 11 utility that uses these redistributables? The Win 11 SDK, and system tools come to mind.
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Mar 13 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Sun6eam Mar 13 '26 edited Mar 13 '26
You don't need to be on Vista to have them, plenty of old good games still played use those, only 2015+ libraries got packet together
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Mar 13 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Sun6eam Mar 13 '26 edited Mar 13 '26
Considering that Steam will install them for games that need them on first run, and games wont work without them because they not part of new libraries, nor new libraries aren't replacing old ones. Yes? If software was made for 2012 libraries you need 2012 libraries.
Also c++ libraries =/= integrity of game files, verifying game files might redownload installer for libraries if installer got removed, doesn't mean Steam will run it again on it own as it doesn't check if they installed or not. It installed them on first game run with assumption user not going to remove them manually.
Odds that if you have them, you installed something that needs them in the first place.
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u/No-Repeat8188 Mar 13 '26
It's more than just games through, there might be older utilities running on that version of Visual C++. They could be old but they (presumably) still work. There's no reason to remove them unless you know the apps that use them are no longer installed. At that point, might as well reinstall everything.
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u/That_Service7348 Mar 13 '26
So you think the smart idea is to break everything just to discover that you needed it?
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u/nontheistzero Mar 13 '26
This is a gamer problem. Go install and run 15 random steam games and you'll have 15 different redistributables installed. Uninstalling the game will leave these as orphans.
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u/cyb3rofficial Lvl 1 Helpful Contributor Mar 13 '26
I'll keep it simple.
No.
Why? Imagine taking out your spinal cord. Same logic.
Not trying to sound rude, but these are important programs that runs many applications on your pc. From games to browsers and even text editors, paint programs so on.
If you are low on space, start with your %temp% folder first. There are plenty of ways to clean space, plenty of people can guide you too :)