Scroll down past the newer versions (2015–2022) to the section explicitly labeled .

If you are trying to launch a game or an application on Windows and receiving an error message like "The program can't start because MSVCP90.dll is missing from your computer" or "Side-by-Side configuration is incorrect," you likely need to install the .

| Component | Version / File | Official Direct Download Link | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | vcredist_x86.exe | Microsoft Download Center | | Visual C++ 2008 SP1 (x64) | vcredist_x64.exe | Microsoft Download Center | | MFC Security Update (KB2538243) | Security Patch | Microsoft Update Catalog |

Security is paramount when downloading system-level files. Because legacy runtimes are highly sought after to fix errors, many third-party websites host altered or malware-ridden installers.

: Open Command Prompt as admin and run sfc /scannow to fix underlying system file corruption.

2. The Installer Fails with a "Newer Version Detected" Message

The 2008 Service Pack 1 package deploys several critical runtime libraries into your system directories:

/norestart : Prevents the machine from rebooting automatically if files are locked during installation.

The Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable Package installs runtime components of Visual C++ libraries. These components are required to run applications developed with Visual C++ 2008 SP1 on a computer that does not have Visual C++ 2008 SP1 installed.

A:

By keeping the active, Microsoft allows IT admins, gamers, and developers to keep legacy software running without needing to recompile or upgrade.

Older systems may require a restart. Modern Windows 10/11 usually does not.

What is the Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable Package?

If you have ever tried to launch an older PC game, a legacy design program, or specialized enterprise software, you have likely encountered a missing dynamic-link library (DLL) error. Messages like "MSVCR90.dll was not found" or "The application has failed to start because its side-by-side configuration is incorrect" are incredibly common on modern Windows operating systems.