MSVCP110.dll and VCRUNTIME140.dll are Microsoft Visual C++ runtime components used by native Windows applications, but they belong to different runtime generations and provide different categories of functionality. MSVCP110.dll is associated with Visual C++ 2012, while VCRUNTIME140.dll is associated with the Visual C++ 2015–2022 runtime family.
Although both files can be required by C++ applications, they are not interchangeable. MSVCP110 primarily provides C++ standard-library functionality, while VCRUNTIME140 provides core Visual C++ runtime support needed by applications built with compatible newer toolsets.
MSVCP110 vs VCRUNTIME140 at a Glance
| Feature | MSVCP110 | VCRUNTIME140 |
| DLL filename | MSVCP110.dll | VCRUNTIME140.dll |
| Associated Visual C++ generation | Visual C++ 2012 | Visual C++ 2015–2022 family |
| Primary role | C++ standard-library runtime | Visual C++ runtime support |
| Main functionality | C++ standard-library features | Compiler/runtime support and low-level runtime services |
| Typical software | VC++ 2012 applications and games | VC++ 2015–2022 applications and games |
| Runtime family | VC++ 2012 | VC++ 2015 and compatible later toolsets |
| Interchangeable | No | No |
| Typical architecture | x86/x64 depending on application | x86/x64/ARM64 depending on application |
| Can coexist | Yes | Yes |
What Is MSVCP110?
MSVCP110.dll is part of the Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 runtime environment. The MSVCP family contains Microsoft’s implementation of the C++ standard library.
Applications built with Visual C++ 2012 may use MSVCP110 for functionality involving:
- C++ strings
- Standard containers
- Algorithms
- Iterators
- Streams
- Memory utilities
- Other standard-library features
It is commonly encountered in older Windows applications, games, multimedia programs, and other native C++ software.
Features of MSVCP110
- Associated with Visual C++ 2012.
- Provides C++ standard-library runtime functionality.
- Supports applications built against the compatible VC++ 2012 toolset.
- Can coexist with newer Visual C++ runtimes.
- Provides commonly used C++ library operations.
Limitations of MSVCP110
- It belongs to an older Visual C++ runtime generation.
- It cannot replace VCRUNTIME140.dll.
- It does not provide the same core runtime interface as VCRUNTIME140.
- Applications may require additional Visual C++ components.
What Is VCRUNTIME140?
VCRUNTIME140.dll is a Microsoft Visual C++ runtime component associated with the Visual C++ 2015–2022 runtime family. It provides runtime support required by applications compiled with compatible Visual C++ toolsets.
The VCRUNTIME family handles various low-level operations associated with compiled C and C++ applications, including areas such as:
- Runtime initialization and termination
- Exception handling support
- Runtime checks
- Security-related compiler support
- Process and thread-related runtime services
- Low-level compiler-generated operations
- Other core Visual C++ runtime functionality
The exact set of dependencies used by an application varies according to its compiler, libraries, architecture, and build configuration.
Features of VCRUNTIME140
- Associated with the Visual C++ 2015–2022 runtime family.
- Provides core runtime functionality for compatible applications.
- Supports applications compiled with compatible later Visual C++ toolsets.
- Can coexist with older Visual C++ redistributables.
- Is distributed as part of Microsoft’s supported Visual C++ Redistributable ecosystem.
Limitations of VCRUNTIME140
- It is not a replacement for the MSVCP family.
- It cannot replace MSVCP110.dll.
- Applications may also require MSVCP140.dll or other runtime components.
- Architecture compatibility remains important.
The Main Difference Between MSVCP110 and VCRUNTIME140
The primary differences are runtime generation and responsibility.
Runtime generation
- MSVCP110 → Visual C++ 2012
- VCRUNTIME140 → Visual C++ 2015–2022 family
Library role
- MSVCP110 → C++ standard library
- VCRUNTIME140 → Core Visual C++ runtime support
This distinction explains why the two DLLs are not substitutes. MSVCP110 provides functionality from the C++ standard library, while VCRUNTIME140 supports lower-level runtime operations used by applications compiled with compatible Visual C++ toolsets.
A program can require multiple runtime DLLs at the same time.
MSVCP110 vs VCRUNTIME140 Compatibility
Compatibility depends on the application’s build environment and imported runtime functions.
MSVCP110 compatibility
Applications compiled with Visual C++ 2012 can have dependencies on MSVCP110.dll. Those programs generally require the corresponding Visual C++ 2012 runtime.
VCRUNTIME140 compatibility
Applications built with Visual C++ 2015 and compatible later toolsets can depend on VCRUNTIME140.dll.
The VC++ 2015–2022 runtime family has a unified compatibility model across compatible later toolsets, but this does not mean it replaces older runtime generations such as VC++ 2012.
Compatibility considerations
- MSVCP110 and VCRUNTIME140 belong to different runtime generations.
- They provide different runtime functions.
- Neither DLL is interchangeable with the other.
- Both can coexist on one Windows system.
- An application may depend on multiple Visual C++ runtime DLLs.
- The application’s architecture must match the installed runtime architecture.
For example, a 32-bit application running on 64-bit Windows can still require x86 Visual C++ runtime components.
Requirements and Installation
MSVCP110 requirements
Software requiring MSVCP110 generally depends on the Visual C++ 2012 Redistributable.
Typical architecture requirements include:
- 32-bit application: x86 runtime.
- 64-bit application: x64 runtime.
- 32-bit application on 64-bit Windows: x86 runtime remains necessary.
VCRUNTIME140 requirements
Applications requiring VCRUNTIME140 generally depend on the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015–2022.
Depending on the application, supported architectures can include:
- x86
- x64
- ARM64
Installing the newer Visual C++ redistributable does not necessarily satisfy dependencies from older Visual C++ generations. Multiple redistributable versions can legitimately coexist.
For security and compatibility, Visual C++ Redistributables should be obtained from Microsoft’s official distribution channels instead of downloading individual DLL files from unofficial sources.
Performance Comparison
MSVCP110 and VCRUNTIME140 serve different purposes, so neither should be treated as a direct performance alternative to the other.
MSVCP110 performance
MSVCP110 supports C++ standard-library operations. Its practical performance depends on factors such as:
- Algorithm selection
- Container usage
- Memory allocation
- Compiler optimization
- Data structures
- CPU architecture
- Application design
VCRUNTIME140 performance
VCRUNTIME140 supports core runtime operations used by compatible compiled applications. Its performance impact can depend on:
- Exception handling
- Runtime initialization
- Memory and process operations
- Compiler-generated runtime calls
- Application architecture
- Compiler optimization
The DLL’s version number is not a reliable measure of application performance. Replacing a required runtime DLL with a different version is not a general performance optimization method.
Common Use Cases
MSVCP110 use cases
MSVCP110 may be found in:
- Visual C++ 2012 desktop applications
- PC games
- Multimedia software
- Engineering programs
- Productivity utilities
- C++ applications using the standard library
VCRUNTIME140 use cases
VCRUNTIME140 may be found in:
- Visual C++ 2015–2022 applications
- Modern Windows desktop software
- PC games
- Developer tools
- Multimedia programs
- Engineering and scientific applications
- Native C and C++ applications
A program built with a compatible newer Visual C++ toolset can potentially require both VCRUNTIME140 and other runtime libraries such as MSVCP140.
MSVCP110 Pros and Limitations
Pros
- Provides C++ standard-library functionality for compatible VC++ 2012 applications.
- Supports strings, containers, algorithms, streams, and related C++ features.
- Can coexist with other Visual C++ runtime generations.
- Supports a broad range of native C++ applications built with VC++ 2012.
Limitations
- Cannot replace VCRUNTIME140.
- Is associated with Visual C++ 2012.
- Does not provide the core runtime interface supplied by VCRUNTIME140.
- May be only one part of an application’s runtime dependency chain.
VCRUNTIME140 Pros and Limitations
Pros
- Provides core runtime support for compatible Visual C++ 2015–2022 applications.
- Supports runtime services required by compiler-generated application code.
- Works within Microsoft’s unified later Visual C++ runtime model.
- Can coexist with older Visual C++ redistributables.
Limitations
- Cannot replace MSVCP110.
- Does not provide the full C++ standard-library functionality associated with the MSVCP family.
- Applications may require additional runtime DLLs.
- The correct architecture must be installed for the application.
MSVCP110 vs VCRUNTIME140 for Missing DLL Errors
The exact DLL named in a Windows error is an important clue when identifying the missing runtime component.
When MSVCP110.dll is missing
A missing MSVCP110.dll error generally indicates a dependency on the Visual C++ 2012 C++ standard library.
Potential troubleshooting steps include:
- Check whether the Visual C++ 2012 Redistributable is installed.
- Determine whether the application is 32-bit or 64-bit.
- Install or repair the appropriate runtime architecture.
- Check for additional missing VC++ 2012 components.
When VCRUNTIME140.dll is missing
A missing VCRUNTIME140.dll error generally indicates that the application expects a Visual C++ 2015–2022 runtime component.
Potential troubleshooting steps include:
- Check for the supported Visual C++ Redistributable.
- Confirm the application’s architecture.
- Repair or reinstall the relevant runtime.
- Check for other missing runtime DLLs.
Copying MSVCP110.dll and renaming it to VCRUNTIME140.dll does not make the files compatible. The same applies in reverse.
Can VCRUNTIME140 Replace MSVCP110?
No.
Although both DLLs are Visual C++ runtime components, they provide different functionality and are associated with different runtime generations.
| DLL | Associated generation | Primary role |
| MSVCP110.dll | Visual C++ 2012 | C++ standard library |
| VCRUNTIME140.dll | Visual C++ 2015–2022 family | Core Visual C++ runtime |
An application requiring MSVCP110 cannot generally use VCRUNTIME140 as a substitute. Likewise, an application requiring VCRUNTIME140 cannot substitute MSVCP110.
A single application can require several runtime components, with each DLL providing a separate part of the expected runtime environment.
Troubleshooting MSVCP110 and VCRUNTIME140 Errors
For MSVCP110 errors
- Identify the application’s architecture.
- Check for the Visual C++ 2012 Redistributable.
- Repair or reinstall the appropriate runtime.
- Check for additional VC++ 2012 dependencies.
For VCRUNTIME140 errors
- Identify the application’s architecture.
- Check for the Visual C++ 2015–2022 Redistributable.
- Repair or reinstall the runtime.
- Check whether MSVCP140 or another related runtime component is also missing.
If an application previously worked and a missing-DLL error appeared after an update or system cleanup, repairing the application’s installation can also help restore missing dependencies.
Avoid downloading isolated DLL files from unofficial websites. Installing or repairing the appropriate Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable is generally a more reliable approach.
MSVCP110 vs VCRUNTIME140: Key Differences Summary
- MSVCP110 is associated with Visual C++ 2012.
- VCRUNTIME140 is associated with the Visual C++ 2015–2022 runtime family.
- MSVCP110 provides C++ standard-library functionality.
- VCRUNTIME140 provides core Visual C++ runtime support.
- Neither DLL is interchangeable with the other.
- Both can coexist on the same Windows system.
- Applications may require multiple Visual C++ runtime components.
- A newer runtime generation does not automatically replace every older runtime dependency.
- Application architecture affects which runtime package is required.
- DLL version numbers alone do not determine software performance.
Conclusion
MSVCP110 and VCRUNTIME140 are both Microsoft Visual C++ runtime components, but they occupy different roles in the Windows software ecosystem. MSVCP110.dll is associated with Visual C++ 2012 and provides C++ standard-library functionality, while VCRUNTIME140.dll belongs to the Visual C++ 2015–2022 runtime family and supplies core runtime support for compatible applications.
The distinction matters when installing redistributables or diagnosing missing-DLL errors. An application compiled against VC++ 2012 may require MSVCP110, while software built with a compatible VC++ 2015-and-later toolset may require VCRUNTIME140 and potentially additional runtime libraries.