It is perfectly safe (and recommended) to install both the x86 and x64 versions on a modern 64-bit PC. This ensures compatibility with all software types.

Let’s break down everything you need to know about the Visual C++ Redistributable 2015.

When you install the VC++ 2015 Redist, you’re getting several key runtime files:

Download the official package from Microsoft’s website (not a third-party site). Run both x86 and x64 installers as Administrator.

To understand the 2015 version, we first need to understand the concept of "Dynamic Link Libraries" (DLLs).

Different programs are built with different versions of Visual Studio. A program built in 2012 requires the 2012 redistributable; it cannot use the 2015 version. Uninstalling older versions will break the specific software that relies on them. They are small files and generally do not slow down your computer.

A common point of confusion: even if your Windows is 64-bit, a 32-bit app requires the of the redistributable. Therefore, you often need to install both vc_redist.x86.exe and vc_redist.x64.exe . Many modern installers do this automatically, but if you’re troubleshooting, check both.