msvcr120.dll: download the file and fix the error

32-bit and 64-bit Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 Scanned by antivirus

msvcr120.dll is a file of Microsoft Visual C++ 2013, the runtime library that a great many games and programs need to run. Its official description: “Microsoft® C Runtime Library”, by Microsoft Corporation.

If it is missing or damaged, Windows displays for example: “The program can't start because msvcr120.dll is missing from your computer.” Two methods can fix the error, below.

Method 1 · quick · about 1 minute

Download only msvcr120.dll

Ideal if only this file is reported missing: you replace a single file, without reinstalling anything.

⇓ Download the 64-bit version ⇓ Download the 32-bit version .zip file: the DLL + its instructions · downloaded 389,540 times

Which version should you choose? The one that matches the program showing the error, not Windows: a 32-bit game or program needs the 32-bit DLL, even on 64-bit Windows. If in doubt, try the 64-bit version first, then the 32-bit one if the error persists or becomes “0xc000007b”.

Version: 12.00.40664.0 (64-bit)12.00.21005.1 (32-bit)
Size: 963.24 KB (64-bit)970.91 KB (32-bit)
Architecture: 64-bit (x64)32-bit (x86)
Publisher: Microsoft Corporation

Then:

Extract msvcr120.dll from the zip file and copy it to the folder of the program showing the error (where its .exe file is).
Still getting the error? Copy it to C:\Windows\System32 (64-bit DLL) or C:\Windows\SysWOW64 (32-bit DLL on 64-bit Windows), then restart.

SHA-256 (64-bit): 753ac30c30aae62415cc225e3d057b8b6254afe280696e0a43f1a7c3132632a6 · Check on VirusTotal
SHA-256 (32-bit): 86e39b5995af0e042fcdaa85fe2aefd7c9ddc7ad65e6327bd5e7058bc3ab615f · Check on VirusTotal · Product: Microsoft® Visual Studio® 2013

Method 2 · complete · official method · 5 to 10 minutes

Reinstall Microsoft Visual C++ 2013

Microsoft still offers the Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 package (an older version, still required by many games). It restores msvcr120.dll and the files of the same family.

Official Microsoft page of the Visual C++ packages

On the Microsoft page, download the Visual C++ 2013 package in its x86 version, and also x64 if your Windows is 64-bit.
Run them, then restart your computer. Already installed? Settings › Apps › the 2013 package › Modify › Repair.

Complete guide: Visual C++ errors (msvcp, msvcr, vcruntime)

Error messages related to msvcr120.dll

The program can't start because msvcr120.dll is missing.
Error loading msvcr120.dll. The specified module could not be found.
Failed to load msvcr120.dll

Why does this error occur?

Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 is not installed: new computer, reinstalled Windows, or a program that does not install its own prerequisites.
The file was deleted or damaged: another program was uninstalled, an overly aggressive cleanup, an antivirus.
Wrong architecture: a 32-bit program cannot use the 64-bit version of the DLL, and vice versa.

Files of the same family (Microsoft Visual C++ 2013)

mfc120.dll mfc120u.dll msvcp120.dll vccorlib120.dll vcomp120.dll

Frequently asked questions

Is msvcr120.dll a virus?

No: it is a legitimate Microsoft file. Only be wary of a copy found outside C:\Windows or a program’s folder; you can compare its SHA-256 fingerprint with the one shown on this page.

Should I install the 32-bit or the 64-bit version?

On 64-bit Windows, install both: a 32-bit game needs the x86 version, even on 64-bit Windows. On 32-bit Windows, only the x86 version can be installed.