How to Fix Missing Windows 10 Universal C Runtime on Windows 8.1, 8, 7

Some Windows PC users who tried to install or run new and current desktop apps (for example, Creative Cloud or other software) came across the new system error about missing api-ms-win-crt-runtime-11-1-0.dll file.

Do you also have problems with running some newer applications on your older Windows 8.1, 8, 7 and other versions? You might need to get one update in order to fix possible problems with running Windows 10 desktop apps on your computer with older operating system version. A number of modern tools depends on Windows 10 Universal C Runtime and unless you install the important update, you won’t be able to enjoy CRT programs.

We have already told you how to remove iPhone activation lock so now let’s learn more about CRT and share direct links where you can download the update for Universal C Runtime and solve the future problems and bugs or current issues you experience with your desktop machine and some applications.

Universal C Runtime in Windows

What is Universal CRT? This is one of the many components in Windows OS. What does it do for end users? Windows CRT Runtime is responsible for CRT functionality. In other words, it can enable such functions on different Windows computers. When you install this upgrade you’ll be able to run Windows 10 Universal C Runtime dependable applications on earlier platforms such as Windows 8.1, Windows 8, 7 etc.

A lot of desktop applications built via Windows 10 SDK depend on the Universal C Runtime. This has happened ever since Microsoft Visual Studio 2015, and users who want to launch programs built with the latest Software Development KIT (SDK) have to install the additional CRT element. This way all your apps would work correctly.

Windows Runtime Component: Supported Systems

Not all operating system versions require the update api-ms-win-crt-runtime-11-1-0.dll. So who really needs it?

All users who are still running Windows 8 or even older Windows 7 SP1 are advised to install the new element. Those computer owners who have previous Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1 are also advised to follow the links. The regular Windows RT version also needs an update as well as Windows Server 2012 (and 2012 R2) and Windows Server 2008 (both SP1 and SP2).

What about Vista version? If you are using Windows Vista SP2 you should also use the upgrade.

How to Download Universal C Runtime

Are there any requirements you have to meet in order to update and use all apps without issues? Actually, some prerequisites do exist. For example, if you are running Windows 8.1, RT 8.1 or Server 2012 R2 version you must have installed the update released in april 2014. If you have Windows 7 version or Server 2008 R2 software you are required to install Service Pack 1. Vista and Server 2008 users should download and install Service Pack 2.

There are two main ways how to download and install updates for Windows PC. One is via your Update center. The other one is through the official download center. Let’s discuss each one and explain in details how you can follow it.

Get Universal C Runtime through Windows Update

Step 1. Select the Start Menu and choose All Programs (or go to Control Panel – System and Security).

Step 2. Choose Windows Update.

Step 3. Select Get updates.

Step 4. Now choose Check for updates menu.

Step 5. Your computer will check for all available files and show you the list.

Step 6. Select Universal C Runtime and click on Install Update. Or just press on Install Updates to make sure all new files (including api-ms-win-crt-runtime-11-1-0.dll) are downloaded and successfully installed by your personal computer.

By the way, this is the only method that works for Windows RT and RT 8.1 since there is no direct link for the supported file for these two system versions.

CRT Download Links

Step 1. Most extensions and files offered for Windows PC are self-extracting .exe files. You are advised to download the file to the blank disk or your hard drive.

Step 2. Create a new folder to save the file. Do not save it to your Windows folder directly by yourself to avoid any unknown bugs and problems (the extension can overwrite your existing files and cause various issues afterwards).

Step 3. Use the direct link from the official Microsoft Download Center for your particular system to get the support file to improve app performance:

According to Microsoft, all these files and links have been scanned for viruses and are safe to get and use on your PC. Besides, the updates are stored on the secured servers so no third-party changes can be added to them.

Step 4. Open the file and it will be installed on your computer right away.

Update for Universal C Runtime in Windows

This article describes an update for Universal C Runtime (CRT) in Windows. Before you install this update, see the prerequisites section. For more information, see Introducing the Universal CRT.

About this update

The Windows 10 Universal CRT is a Windows operating system component that enables CRT functionality on the Windows operating system. This update allows Windows desktop applications that depend on the Windows 10 Universal CRT release to run on earlier Windows operating systems.

Microsoft Visual Studio 2015 creates a dependency on the Universal CRT when applications are built by using the Windows 10 Software Development Kit (SDK). You can install this update on earlier Windows operating systems to enable these applications to run correctly.

This update applies to the following operating systems:

Windows Server 2012 R2

Windows Server 2012

Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1)

Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (SP2)

Windows Vista SP2

How to obtain this update

Method 1: Windows Update

This update is provided as a Recommended update on Windows Update. For more information about how to run Windows Update, see How to get an update through Windows Update.

Method 2: Microsoft Download Center

The following files are available for download from the Microsoft Download Center.

All supported x86-based versions of Windows 8.1

Download the package now.

All supported x64-based versions of Windows 8.1

Download the package now.

All supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2012 R2

Download the package now.

All supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2012

Download the package now.

All supported x86-based versions of Windows 7

Download the package now.

All supported x64-based versions of Windows 7

Download the package now.

All supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2

Download the package now.

All supported x86-based versions of Windows Vista

Download the package now.

All supported x64-based versions of Windows Vista

Download the package now.

All supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2008

Download the package now.

All supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008

Download the package now.

Note The update for Windows RT 8.1 can be downloaded only from Windows Update.

For more information about how to download Microsoft support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

119591 How to obtain Microsoft support files from online services Microsoft scanned this file for viruses. Microsoft used the most current virus-detection software that was available on the date that the file was posted. The file is stored on security-enhanced servers that help prevent any unauthorized changes to the file.

Update detail information

Prerequisites

Registry information

To apply this update, you don’t have to make any changes to the registry.

Restart requirement

You may have to restart the computer after you apply this update.

Update replacement information

This update doesn’t replace a previously released update.

Status

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the «Applies to» section.

References

See the terminology that Microsoft uses to describe software updates.

Update for Universal C Runtime in Windows

I am extremely frustrated right now. Any help would be greatly appreciated to fix this issue I’m having. I am trying to reinstall a program after reformatting my computer. I have made sure that all updates are taken care of. Update center says that I am up to date, but I am still having issues.

After finding the error on the software website, I go to the link that is given and the only downloads that are there are related to 8.1 and earlier. None of which will actually work.

There is NO Windows 10 version listed. I click the link to that is there for 10 but it does not resolve the issue.

I ask for help from the softwares support but they keep directing me to that initial page to fix the issue and saying to make sure my windows is up to date. Which it is!

I did find this link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=48234 which supposably says «Windows 10 Universal C Runtime» but when downloading it, it’s just a zip folder of all the 8.1 and earlier downloads from the FIRST DAMN LINK and I’m greeted with «This update is not applicable to your computer» with every single file.

Almost broke my mouse after trying to google for windows 10 and then throwing the mouse out of frustration. Someone please help me!

Where the hell is this «Update for Universal C Runtime in Windows» for Windows 10? Someone, anyone, please help!

What program are you having a problem with ?

If you are just a Windows user the C++ you would be wanting is the C++ Redistributable, not the Runtime, which is for developers.

The download pages for the older C++ do not mention Win10 compatibility, but I believe that is only because MS has not updated

the download pages for C++ Redist 2005 and 2008 to include Win10.

They should all still install on Win10 with no issues, as does most software from 2005 onward

(My Win10 was upgraded from Win7, so I have not had to install any older C++ versions, but I have had no problems from

the 26 versions of C++ , or the associated program/game that are still installed ).

There used to be a link for all C++ Redist, on one page, but now we have to do a search for each version individually.

— A few links to get you started (you need both x86 and x64 versions), but your program may require 2010 or newer.

— How many versions/sub-versions of C++ your Windows has depends on the software/games you have installed.

Programs/games from around 2010 on are far less likely to require a specific sub-version than earlier programs, but

the newest versions of C++ may not work with old software/games that look for a specific sub-version of an old C++,

eg- Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 v8.0.50727.42 .

— Note too that some new versions of old software will still often use the old version of C++ they used when first released,

so it is best to keep all C++ versions that may be installed on your machine. They use very little space, and use

no resources when not being accessed by the relevant software.

Some programs/games modify a particular version of C++, so the base version from MS may not always work. This has led

to a number of 2005/2008 sub-versions.

If you uninstall older versions of C++ the software that requires that specific older version or sub-version cannot run.

Software will normally include an installer for the version of C++ it requires if it uses modified files.

This should install automatically but if not, you should be able to locate a sub-folder on the install disk with a — vcredist — installer

that suits the program.

Run that installer from the disk, reboot and try installing the program/game again.

If using a downloaded installer and the program/game installs successfully you may find a folder with the vcredist in the location

you installed the software to.

— Note that C++ errors can also generate if there is a problem with a .NET Framework version.

Please check if you installed the windows universal c runtime

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Asked by:

Question

Our desktop application (Visual C++ / MFC) continues to support Windows 7 (along with 8.1 and 10). Last summer we abandoned a migration to Visual Studio 2015 (from VS 2010) due to deployment issues relating to the Universal CRT and Windows 7 installs (KB2999226).

I’ve searched but have found no references to this issue for Visual Studio 2017. Any updates?

All replies

Thank you for posting in MSDN forum.

For your question, currently the Visual Studio 2017 RC is for Beta test, so the official relevant document about the VS 2017 hasn’t released yet.

As far as I know, we could install windows Universal C Runtime and Win 10 SDK as below from modifying VS 2017 RC.

Since your OS is Win 7, the precondition is requires KB2999226. To install through Windows Update, make sure you install the latest recommended updates and patches from Microsoft Update before you install the Windows SDK.

But I have already submit this feedback to Microsoft Connect feedback, please see: