2025 guide to repair msvcr120.dll missing errors on Windows 10 and 11

Summary

Is that frustrating msvcr120.dll missing error suddenly stopping your favourite programs from launching on Windows 10 or 11? You’re not alone. This common yet perplexing issue often stems from a corrupted file or a missing component, causing unexpected crashes. Our straightforward 2025 guide will help you understand what’s gone wrong and provides clear, step-by-step solutions—from a simple reinstall to running a system file checker scan. Read on to resolve the error for good and get back to a smoothly running PC.

Method 4: Update Windows

When the previous methods—reinstalling the application, running a system scan, and ensuring the Visual C++ runtime is present—fail to resolve the msvcr120.dll missing error, it’s time to consider the broader ecosystem of your operating system. Windows updates do more than just introduce new features; they frequently deliver critical patches for system stability, security vulnerabilities, and compatibility with essential components like the Visual C++ libraries. An outdated Windows installation can sometimes be the hidden culprit behind stubborn DLL-related issues, especially if the error began appearing after a recent software installation that expects an updated system environment.

Updating Windows ensures that your system files, including the foundational libraries that applications depend on, are in their most current and stable state. Microsoft periodically releases cumulative updates that can repair underlying system corruption or resolve conflicts that more targeted tools like SFC might miss. To update Windows to fix DLL errors, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings (Windows key + I) and navigate to Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates. Windows will automatically search for and display any available critical or optional updates.
3. If updates are found, select Download and install. It’s advisable to ensure your device is connected to a power source during this process, as it may require a restart.
4. After the update is installed and your PC has restarted, attempt to launch the problematic application again.

A Note on Update Timing: Major feature updates can occasionally introduce new compatibility quirks, but the smaller, monthly cumulative updates are almost always beneficial for system health. If your error appeared immediately after a significant update, consider checking the software developer’s website for a patch or support notice. However, in the vast majority of cases, being fully up-to-date is your best defense against system file errors.

This approach is particularly effective if your system has fallen behind on updates, as it addresses gaps in the core OS that could be preventing the correct loading of runtime libraries. If applying all available updates still doesn’t resolve the issue, the problem may be more deeply rooted in software conflicts that occur during the Windows startup process, which leads us to our final, more advanced troubleshooting technique.

Method 5: Perform a Clean Boot

When all else fails and the msvcr120.dll missing error stubbornly persists, the issue may not be a missing file but a conflicting one. Background processes from other applications or services can interfere with the program trying to load the required DLL, causing the launch to fail silently or with the familiar error message. Performing a clean boot is an advanced, systematic troubleshooting step that starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This process effectively isolates software conflicts, helping you determine whether a background application is the root cause.

A clean boot is a diagnostic state, not a permanent solution. It’s designed to help you identify the specific service or program causing the conflict by process of elimination. The procedure involves using the System Configuration tool to disable all non-Microsoft services and startup items.

To perform a clean boot on Windows 10 or 11:

1. Type msconfig into the Windows search bar and select System Configuration.
2. In the Services tab, check the box for Hide all Microsoft services (this is critical to avoid disabling essential OS functions). Then, click Disable all.
3. Next, open the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager. In the Task Manager window, disable each startup item by right-clicking on it and selecting Disable. Close Task Manager.
4. Back in the System Configuration window, click OK and restart your computer when prompted.

After your PC restarts, it will run in a clean boot environment. Immediately try to launch the application that was generating the error.

Interpreting the Results: If the program launches successfully, the confirmation is clear—a third-party service or startup item was causing the conflict. Your task is now to re-enable services and startup items in small groups (e.g., half at a time), restarting and testing the application after each round. This methodical approach will pinpoint the exact culprit, which you can then choose to uninstall or permanently disable.

This technique addresses the most elusive category of DLL problems, where the file is present and intact, but its access is being blocked or corrupted by another piece of software running on your system. By systematically eliminating variables, you move from guesswork to a precise diagnosis. With the core troubleshooting methods now complete, you are equipped to resolve this error through a logical, step-by-step escalation.

Conclusion

By following this guide’s logical progression—from a simple program reinstall to a deeper system file checker scan—you can effectively eliminate the msvcr120.dll missing error. For lasting system health, remember to regularly check for and install the latest Windows updates, as they often contain crucial fixes for underlying system file issues, ensuring your programs run smoothly.