⚡ DLL Missing Error

Resolved msvcp100.dll Not Found Error Windows 10/8/7 and Windows Server - Complete Fix Guide

📅 Updated: Apr 15, 2026 ⏱️ 15-30 min read ✅ Verified Solutions

🚫 Missing DLL File

File: msvcp100.dll

Error: "The program can't start because msvcp100.dll is missing"

Solution: Install Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable

Time: 5 minutes

Program double-clicked for execution, instead of launching, Windows displays error dialog: "The program can't start because msvcp100.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem." Program reinstallation attempted. Error persists.

msvcp100.dll file part of Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable. "100" indicates version 10.0 (Visual C++ 2010). Countless applications - particularly games, Adobe software, Autodesk programs, and professional tools from 2010-2014 era - built using Visual C++ 2010, require this specific DLL to run.

Positive: easiest DLL errors to fix. Need to install correct Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable package from Microsoft (free), error will disappear. Takes approximately 5 minutes total.

Understanding msvcp100.dll

MSVCP = "Microsoft Visual C++ (Multi-threaded) Standard C++ Library." Shared library file containing C++ programming functions many programs use.

Why error occurs:

  • Visual C++ 2010 never installed - Clean Windows installation or program didn't install prerequisites
  • DLL deleted - System cleaner tools or antivirus mistakenly removed it
  • Corrupted file - Incomplete update or system crash damaged DLL
  • Wrong architecture - Program needs 32-bit but only 64-bit version installed (or vice versa)

Fix: Install Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable

Correct, official method. Don't download DLLs from random websites - install full package from Microsoft.

Visual C++ 2010 installation
  1. Determine Windows architecture:
    • Right-click "This PC" or "My Computer"
    • Choose "Properties"
    • Look at "System type"
    • 64-bit: Install BOTH x86 (32-bit) and x64 (64-bit) versions
    • 32-bit: Install only x86 version
  2. Download Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable:
    • Visit Microsoft official download page
    • Search "Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable" or visit microsoft.com/download
    • Download both:
      • vcredist_x86.exe (32-bit version)
      • vcredist_x64.exe (64-bit version, if system is 64-bit)
    • Important: Only download from microsoft.com
  3. Install 32-bit version first:
    • Execute vcredist_x86.exe
    • Accept license agreement
    • Click "Install"
    • Wait for "Setup Successful"
    • Click "Finish"
  4. Install 64-bit version (if applicable):
    • Execute vcredist_x64.exe
    • Follow same installation steps
    • Most programs use 32-bit DLLs even on 64-bit Windows, but install both for safety
  5. Restart computer (important!)
  6. Retry running program

Alternative: Repair Existing Installation

If Visual C++ 2010 already installed but error persists, installation might be corrupted.

Visual C++ 2010 repair process
  1. Open Programs and Features:
    • Press Windows + R
    • Execute appwiz.cpl
    • Press Enter
  2. Find Visual C++ 2010 entries:
    • Scroll through list
    • Look for "Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable - x86"
    • And "Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable - x64"
  3. Repair each installation:
    • Click entry
    • Click "Change" or "Repair" button at top
    • Choose "Repair" in dialog
    • Wait for completion
    • Repeat for both x86 and x64
  4. If repair unavailable:
    • Uninstall both versions
    • Restart computer
    • Reinstall using main fix method above

Manual DLL Registration (Advanced)

If DLL exists but not properly registered, manual registration may help.

DLL registration process
  1. Verify DLL presence:
    • Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\
    • Search for msvcp100.dll
    • Also check C:\Windows\SysWOW64\ (32-bit DLL location on 64-bit systems)
  2. If file present, register it:
    • Open Command Prompt as administrator
    • Execute: regsvr32 msvcp100.dll
    • Press Enter
  3. Note: msvcp100.dll typically cannot be registered this way - better to reinstall redistributable package

Important Warning

⚠️ Avoid DLL Download Websites

Searching "msvcp100.dll download" reveals many sites offering individual DLL downloads. DO NOT USE THESE.

Reasons:

• Unknown file source - may contain malware
• Incorrect version - may not match system requirements
• Improper installation - won't register correctly
• Security risk - unofficial files dangerous

Always use official Microsoft redistributable packages. Free, safe, guaranteed functional.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why multiple Visual C++ versions on my computer?

Each program requires specific Visual C++ version used during development. Cannot be consolidated - different versions coexist independently, each serving different applications.

Can I uninstall old Visual C++ versions?

Not recommended. Even if appears unused, some application may depend on it. Safe to keep - minimal disk space usage (few MB each).

Will this fix other MSVCP errors (msvcp110.dll, msvcp120.dll)?

No. Each version separate: msvcp110.dll = Visual C++ 2012, msvcp120.dll = Visual C++ 2013, msvcp140.dll = Visual C++ 2015-2022. Each requires respective redistributable package.

Works on Windows Server?

Yes. Same fix applies to Windows Server 2008, 2012, 2016, 2019, and 2022. Install appropriate Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable for server architecture.