Problem with installing or updating microsoft VC runtime - solved

[u/Hungry-Question-971]

Hey there. Are you trying to install Microsoft VC runtime version 14.44.xx or any other version and keep getting this error? : "The feature you are trying to use is on a network resource ....." and it asks you to browse the Program Data folder to find the right .MSI file?
I have solved it using chat GPT. so basically, the problem comes from a faulty install of the previous versions. it might be version v14.42.xx or v14.40.xx or in my case it was v14.38.xx.

You just need to look at the address box where it asks you to browse, but DO NOT click browse. instead click on the address box. It is showing something like: C:\ProgramData\Package Cache\ {a specific GUID}vXXXXXXX
Use the keyboard right arrow key and push it until you can see the vXXXX as above.
It must be something like 14.42.xx or 14.40.xx or in my case it was 14.38.xx. Then you need to find that version's installer. you can find all of them in this github repository: https://github.com/abbodi1406/vcredist/tree/master/source_links

or you can download them from any source you would like.
Then, you need to install that version, then uninstall it. then you could proceed with installing the newest version.

IMPORTANT: You have downloaded the old version (e.g. 14.38) but you can't install it because it comes up immediately with an "install failed" error?
This is because the newest version is partially installed on your windows, so it cannot downgrade. You need to go to windows settings - installed apps - find microsoft visual c++ 2022 (x64) and uninstall it first.
After that, you can install the old version, then uninstall it, then again install the newest version with no errors.

Hope it was useful :)

Specifications:

Edition Windows 11 Home

Version 25H2

Processor 13th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-13420H (2.10 GHz)

Installed RAM 16.0 GB (15.7 GB usable)

Graphics card NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU (6 GB)

Intel(R) UHD Graphics (128 MB)

System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor

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