How to detect if Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable is installed

visual-c++ redistributable vcredist visual-c++-2015 visual-c++-2017
Manjunath picture Manjunath · Sep 12, 2017 · Viewed 27.2k times · Source

With Microsoft changing the pattern of registry entries in its latest versions, how do i detect if Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable is installed on a machine?

My aim is to install VC++2015Redist since the software is written using VS2015. If i can successfully detect VC++2017Redist on a machine, then I skip my installation of VC++2015Redist

Answer

CJBS picture CJBS · Apr 19, 2018

The 2017 VC++ Redistributable installation upgrades/REPLACES the 2015 installation

Installation of the Visual Studio 2017 Redistributables upgrades and replaces any existing installation of the 2015 Redistributables. I've checked this, and the 2015 installation disappears from "Add/Remove Programs", and the registry values (see below) have their version numbers updated. Further, per MSDN, the 2017 VC++ Redistributables have Binary Compatibility with the 2015 version.

It's possible to check whether 2015 or 2017 are installed by checking the registry keys described below. This is for a x64 system, have a look without the Wow6432Node for a 32-bit system.

Keys:

For 64-bit VC++ Redistributable

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\VisualStudio\14.0\VC\Runtimes\x64

For 32-bit VC++ Redistributable

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\VisualStudio\14.0\VC\Runtimes\x86

The properties and values are the same (same format) for both 32- and 64-bit installations. Registry Values of use:

Value          2015       2017 
Name      Val. Data  Val. Data
--------  ---------  ---------
Major            14         14
Minor             0         13
Bld           23026      26020

Note that the @Minor and build (@Bld) numbers of 2017 continue to change as new patches are updated.

I would suggest, if checking for a minimum that 2015 is installed, just checking the key and that the @Major version is 14.

If checking for 2017, with the intention of doing an upgrade if it's not in existence, then just check the @Bld number, and if it's not at least the version that can be installed, then go ahead and install the current 2017 version. Note that future updates the the @Minor and @Bld version are probable -- I've got another computer where v14.11.25325 is installed, also a 2017 version.

Related questions

Where to download Microsoft Visual c++ 2003 redistributable

I have an old dll that uses the Microsoft Visual C++ 2003 (7.1) run time package. Unfortunately I don't have that DLL around anymore. Short of reinstalling VS2003, is there another way to get the run time redistributable dll?

Read More
Why does my application require Visual C++ Redistributable package

I'm writing a simple C++ application in Visual Studio. It also has a setup project. It works well on my development machine, but when I'm installing this application on user's machine it requires Visual C++ Redistributable Package. I'm wondering why …

Read More
How to detect whether I need to install VCRedist?

I have a question very similar to this one but the answer does not work for me. Software I am maintaining the setup for depends on VC++ 2008 (SP1, precisely), thus I need to find a solution to install VCRedist if …

Read More