Microsoft.vclibs.140.00 Package Download

In your Visual Studio project, add a reference to the Microsoft.VCLibs framework. In the app manifest, declare the dependency. Then, when you build your bundle, the store will list it as a required dependency.

If you want, I can produce sample PowerShell commands for installing an appx/msix with its VCLibs dependency, or show where to find Microsoft’s official redistributable downloads. Which would you prefer?

Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00 package (specifically the UWPDesktop

variant) is a critical runtime framework required for modern Windows applications, particularly those ported via the Desktop Bridge

. While most users receive this automatically via the Microsoft Store, manual downloads are essential for offline environments, specialized deployments like Windows Sandbox, or resolving dependency errors. Understanding the Package This package provides the Visual C++ Runtime

libraries (version 14.0) necessary for Universal Windows Platform (UWP) desktop apps. Without it, apps may fail to launch, often throwing errors about missing VCRUNTIME140.dll or other core C++ components. Official Download Methods You can obtain the official files directly from Microsoft through these channels: Microsoft Download Center Visual C++ UWP Desktop Runtime Package is the primary source for manual installers. Direct "aka.ms" Links

: Microsoft provides direct links for specific architectures to simplify deployment:

Microsoft maintains an open-source distribution of the runtime:

The identifier Microsoft.vclibs.140.00 refers to the architecture-specific files installed by the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable.

Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00 is a redistributable runtime library package that supplies the Visual C++ runtime components built for Visual Studio 2015 (MSVC 14.0). It’s commonly required by Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps and some desktop apps that depend on the MSVC runtime to run correctly. A short discourse follows covering what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it safely, and practical tips for troubleshooting.

If you are a Windows user—especially a gamer, developer, or someone who frequently installs applications from the Microsoft Store or open-source platforms like GitHub—you have likely encountered an error message mentioning Microsoft.vclibs.140.00. This cryptic-sounding file is not a virus, nor is it a standalone program you can “run.” Instead, it is a runtime dependency package crucial for many modern Windows applications.

In simple terms, Microsoft.vclibs.140.00 is part of Microsoft’s Visual C++ runtime libraries packaged as an AppX (application package) for UWP (Universal Windows Platform) and desktop-bridged applications. The “140” refers to Visual Studio 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022 (all share the same major version number 14.0). The .00 often indicates a baseline version.

Without this package, many apps will fail to launch, crash on start, or display errors like: Microsoft.vclibs.140.00 Package Download

This article will explain everything you need to know: what the package does, why you need it, where to download it safely, how to install it correctly, and how to troubleshoot common errors.

Last updated: June 2025 – Compatibility verified for Windows 11 version 23H2 and Windows 10 22H2.

The Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00 framework can be fixed by manually downloading the appropriate x64, x86, or ARM64 .appx package and installing it via PowerShell to address missing dependency errors. This issue often occurs when the Microsoft Store fails to update C++ Runtime libraries, and sideloading the package via PowerShell command bypasses this queue. For detailed instructions and download links, see the guide on Medium.

To download and install the Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00 package, you must obtain the correct .appx framework package for your system architecture (x86, x64, or ARM). This package is essential for running desktop apps that use the Desktop Bridge to interface with the Universal Windows Platform (UWP). 1. Official Download Links

Microsoft provides direct links to the latest stable versions of the VCLibs 140.00 runtime. You can download the .appx files directly from the Official Microsoft Download Center or use these direct aka.ms shortcuts for specific architectures:

Intel/AMD 64-bit (x64): https://aka.ms/Microsoft.VCLibs.x64.14.00.Desktop.appx

Intel 32-bit (x86): https://aka.ms/Microsoft.VCLibs.x86.14.00.Desktop.appx

ARM 64-bit: https://aka.ms/Microsoft.VCLibs.arm64.14.00.Desktop.appx 2. Installation Methods

Once downloaded, you can install the package using one of the following methods: Method A: PowerShell (Recommended)

This is the most reliable way to ensure the package registers correctly with the Windows App repository. Open PowerShell as an Administrator.

Run the following command, replacing the path with your downloaded file's location:Add-AppxPackage -Path "C:\Path\To\Your\Microsoft.VCLibs.x64.14.00.Desktop.appx"

Alternatively, you can install directly from the URL as suggested by experts on Medium:Add-AppxPackage 'https://aka.ms/Microsoft.VCLibs.x64.14.00.Desktop.appx' Method B: Chocolatey Package Manager In your Visual Studio project, add a reference

If you use Chocolatey, you can skip manual downloads. Users in the GitHub community recommend this for managing VCLibs dependencies easily: Run: choco install microsoft-vclibs -y 3. Verification

To verify if the package is installed and check its version, run this command in PowerShell:Get-AppxPackage | where name -like "Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00.UWPDesktop" | select Name, Version, PackageFamilyName Troubleshooting Common Issues

Version Mismatch: If you receive an error about a "missing framework," ensure you have the minimum version required by your application. Some modern apps require version 14.0.30035.0 or higher, as noted in Spiceworks Community discussions.

Windows Server Issues: On Windows Server (e.g., 2019 or 2022), these packages are often missing by default and must be installed manually to run UWP-based tools like Windows Terminal or WSL.

Debugging Versions: If you are a developer needing specific debug versions (e.g., Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00.Debug), you should use the Visual Studio Installer as described on Stack Overflow to add "C++ Universal Windows Platform support."

Report: Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00 Package Installation The Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00 package is a set of C++ Runtime libraries required for Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps and Desktop Bridge applications to function correctly on Windows. When this package is missing, users often encounter errors stating that a specific program cannot start or that a dependency is not found. 1. Purpose of the Package

This framework package provides the necessary binary files for running apps built with Visual C++. It acts as a bridge, allowing modern Windows Store-style apps to access essential C++ functions without requiring every app to bundle its own copy of the libraries. 2. Official Download Links

Microsoft provides direct links for the Desktop Bridge version of these packages. You should select the version that matches your system architecture: Intel/AMD 64-bit (x64): Download x64 Appx Intel/AMD 32-bit (x86): Download x86 Appx ARM 64-bit: Download ARM64 Appx ARM 32-bit: Download ARM Appx 3. Installation Instructions

The package is distributed as an .appx file. There are two primary ways to install it: Method A: Simple Double-Click

Download the correct file from the Microsoft Troubleshooting Guide. Double-click the downloaded .appx file. If the "App Installer" window appears, click Install.

Method B: PowerShell (Advanced/Troubleshooting)If the double-click method fails, use PowerShell to force the installation:

Right-click the Start button and select Terminal (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin). If you want, I can produce sample PowerShell

Type the following command (replacing the URL with the link for your specific architecture) and press Enter:Add-AppxPackage -Path "https://aka.ms/Microsoft.VCLibs.x64.14.00.Desktop.appx"

Once the command completes without error, the package is installed. 4. Verification

To ensure the package was installed correctly, you can run this command in PowerShell:Get-AppxPackage -Name "Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00.UWPDesktop"

If the package is listed in the output, your system now has the required libraries to run dependent applications.

To download the Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00 package, you can use the official Microsoft sources or direct framework links provided by Microsoft for different architectures. This package is essential for apps that rely on C++ runtime libraries, especially those using the Desktop Bridge or UWP. Microsoft Learn Official Download Links You can download the Visual C++ UWP Desktop Runtime Package directly from the Microsoft Download Center Microsoft Learn

Alternatively, use these direct links for specific architectures to download the Intel x64: aka.ms/Microsoft.VCLibs.x64.14.00.Desktop.appx Intel x86: aka.ms/Microsoft.VCLibs.x86.14.00.Desktop.appx aka.ms/Microsoft.VCLibs.arm64.14.00.Desktop.appx How to Install via PowerShell

If you have the direct link or the downloaded file, follow these steps to install it manually: Open PowerShell as Administrator

(Right-click the Start icon and select Windows PowerShell Admin). Run the installation command using the link or local file path: powershell Add-AppxPackage -Path "https://aka.ms/Microsoft.VCLibs.x64.14.00.Desktop.appx" Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard Verify the installation by running: powershell Get-AppxPackage -Name "Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00.UWPDesktop" Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard Microsoft Learn Common Issues & Fixes Version Mismatch:

If you encounter errors uploading UWP apps to the Store, ensure you are using version 14.0.33519.0 Corrupted Files: If libraries appear "paused" or corrupted in C:\Program Files\WindowsApps

, reinstalling the package via PowerShell usually resolves the issue. Microsoft Learn Are you running into a specific error code (like 0x80073CF3) during installation?

Problem with Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00 on Windows 11 workstations

If you have Visual Studio installed (any edition from 2015 onward), look in:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SDKs\AppX\Framework Packages\

You will find Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00_14.0.xxxxx.xx_... .appx