Visual C++ is a powerful programming language and toolset that allows you to create native applications for Windows, Linux, and other platforms. In this article, you will learn what Visual C++ is, why you need it, what are its features, and how to download and install Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable on your computer.
What is Visual C++?
Visual C++ is a component of Microsoft Visual Studio, an integrated development environment (IDE) that provides a comprehensive set of tools for developing software. Visual C++ supports both C and C++, two of the most popular and widely used programming languages in the world. Visual C++ also includes Microsoft C and C++ (MSVC), a compiler that translates your source code into executable files that can run on various platforms.
Why do you need Visual C++?
You need Visual C++ if you want to develop native applications for Windows, Linux, or other platforms. Native applications are software programs that are optimized for a specific operating system and hardware architecture. They can take advantage of the features and capabilities of the platform they are running on, such as graphics, audio, networking, security, performance, and more.
Visual C++ allows you to create native applications using a variety of technologies, such as Windows API, DirectX, OpenGL, COM, .NET Framework, WinRT, MFC, ATL, WTL, STL, Boost, Qt, wxWidgets, and more. You can also use Visual C++ to create cross-platform applications that can run on multiple platforms with minimal changes.
What are the features of Visual C++ 2017?
Visual C++ 2017 is the latest version of Visual C++ that was released in March 2017 as part of Visual Studio 2017. Visual C++ 2017 has many features that make it easier and faster to develop native applications, such as:
Improved support for C++ standards, including C++11, C++14, and C++17.
New and updated libraries, such as Windows SDK, DirectX 12, C++ REST SDK, C++ AMP, and more.
Enhanced debugging and testing tools, such as Live Unit Testing, IntelliTest, Code Analysis, Code Coverage, and more.
Better integration with other Visual Studio components, such as Visual Studio Code Editor, Visual Studio Team Services, Visual Studio Installer, and more.
More options for cross-platform development, such as Linux projects, Android projects, iOS projects, and more.
How to download Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable
Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable is a package that contains the runtime components of Visual C++ libraries that are required to run applications developed using Visual Studio 2017 on a computer that does not have Visual Studio 2017 installed. These components include DLLs, ActiveX controls, COM servers, and other files that are used by the application.
What is Visual C++ Redistributable?
Visual C++ Redistributable is a term that refers to the collection of Visual C++ runtime components that are distributed with an application. These components are necessary for the application to run properly on a target machine that does not have the same version of Visual Studio or Visual C++ installed as the one used to develop the application.
Visual C++ Redistributable is different from Visual C++ Runtime Library, which is a term that refers to the set of functions and classes that are provided by Visual C++ for common tasks such as memory management, input/output, exception handling, and more. The Visual C++ Runtime Library is compiled into the application’s executable file or DLLs, while the Visual C++ Redistributable is installed separately on the target machine.
How to check if you have Visual C++ Redistributable installed?
There are several ways to check if you have Visual C++ Redistributable installed on your computer. One of the easiest ways is to use the Programs and Features applet in the Control Panel. To do this:
Open the Control Panel by clicking on the Start button and selecting Control Panel.
Click on Programs and then click on Programs and Features.
Look for Microsoft Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable in the list of installed programs. If you see it, then you have it installed. If you don’t see it, then you need to download and install it.
How to download Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2017?
To download Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2017, you need to visit the official Microsoft website and choose the appropriate version for your system architecture (x86 or x64) and language. You can also choose between different versions of Visual Studio 2017 (Community, Professional, or Enterprise).
Download links for different architectures
Architecture
Download Link
x86 (32-bit)
x64 (64-bit)
Download links for different languages and versions
Language
Version
Download Link
English
Community
English
Professional
English
Enterprise
Chinese (Simplified)
Community
Chinese (Simplified)
Professional
How to install Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable
After you download Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable for your system architecture and language, you need to install it on your computer. The installation process is simple and straightforward. Here are the steps to follow:
How to run the installer?
To run the installer, you need to double-click on the downloaded file (vc_redist.x86.exe or vc_redist.x64.exe) and follow the instructions on the screen. You may need to provide administrator permissions or enter your password to proceed.
How to accept the license agreement?
Before you can install Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable, you need to accept the license agreement that appears on the screen. You can read the terms and conditions of the agreement by scrolling down or clicking on the link. To accept the agreement, you need to check the box that says “I agree to the license terms and conditions” and then click on the Install button.
How to choose the installation location?
By default, Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable will be installed in the C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2017\Redist folder for x86 systems or in the C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2017\Redist\x64 folder for x64 systems. You can change the installation location by clicking on the Options button and browsing to a different folder. However, we recommend that you use the default location unless you have a specific reason to change it.
How to verify the installation?
After you click on the Install button, Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable will start installing on your computer. You can see the progress of the installation on the screen. When the installation is complete, you will see a message that says “Setup Successful”. You can then click on the Close button to exit the installer.
To verify that Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable is installed correctly, you can go back to the Programs and Features applet in the Control Panel and look for Microsoft Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable in the list of installed programs. You can also check if there are any files or folders related to Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable in the installation location that you chose.
Conclusion
In this article, you learned how to download and install Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable on your computer. You also learned what Visual C++ is, why you need it, what are its features, and what is Visual C++ Redistributable. We hope that this article was helpful and informative for you.
Summary of the main points
Visual C++ is a programming language and toolset that allows you to create native applications for Windows, Linux, and other platforms.
Visual C++ 2017 is the latest version of Visual C++ that was released in March 2017 as part of Visual Studio 2017.
Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable is a package that contains the runtime components of Visual C++ libraries that are required to run applications developed using Visual Studio 2017 on a computer that does not have Visual Studio 2017 installed.
To download Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable, you need to visit the official Microsoft website and choose the appropriate version for your system architecture (x86 or x64) and language.
To install Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable, you need to run the installer, accept the license agreement, choose the installation location, and verify the installation.
FAQs
Q: Do I need to download and install Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable if I already have Visual Studio 2017 installed?
A: No, you don’t need to download and install Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable if you already have Visual Studio 2017 installed. Visual Studio 2017 includes Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable as part of its installation.
Q: Do I need to download and install Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable if I want to run applications developed using older versions of Visual Studio or Visual C++?
A: It depends on the version of Visual Studio or Visual C++ that was used to develop the application. Some applications may require specific versions of Visual C++ Redistributable to run properly. You can check the requirements of the application by contacting the developer or reading the documentation.
Q: Can I uninstall Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable if I don’t need it anymore?
A: Yes, you can uninstall Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable if you don’t need it anymore. However, you should be careful not to uninstall it if you have any applications that depend on it. You can uninstall Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable by using the Programs and Features applet in the Control Panel and following the instructions on the screen.
Q: What is the difference between Visual C++ and Visual Studio?
A: Visual C++ is a component of Visual Studio, which is an integrated development environment (IDE) that provides a comprehensive set of tools for developing software. Visual C++ is a programming language and toolset that allows you to create native applications for Windows, Linux, and other platforms. Visual Studio supports other programming languages and technologies, such as C#, VB.NET, F#, Python, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, ASP.NET, Azure, Xamarin, and more.
Q: Where can I find more information about Visual C++ and Visual Studio?
A: You can find more information about Visual C++ and Visual Studio by visiting the official Microsoft website or by searching online. You can also find tutorials, videos, blogs, forums, books, courses, and other resources that can help you learn more about Visual C++ and Visual Studio.
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