msvcr120d.dll: download the file and fix the error

32-bit (x86) Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 Scanned by antivirus

msvcr120d.dll is the debug version of a Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 file, intended for developers. 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 msvcr120d.dll is missing from your computer.” Two methods can fix the error, below.

Method 1 · quick · about 1 minute

Download only msvcr120d.dll

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

⇓ Download msvcr120d.dll .zip file: the DLL + its instructions · downloaded 8,703 times

Version: 12.00.20827.3
Architecture: 32-bit (x86)
Size: 1.82 MB
Publisher: Microsoft Corporation

Then:

Extract msvcr120d.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\SysWOW64 (64-bit Windows) or C:\Windows\System32 (32-bit Windows), then restart.

SHA-256: 84bc7d0ddf835bbcc1cd6cc59f2daf23215db42b1ea6c1b9d450490408e5d36b · Check on VirusTotal · Product: Microsoft® Visual Studio® 2013 RC

Method 2 · complete · for developers

Install or repair Visual Studio

Debug files (ending in “d”) are not redistributable: Microsoft only provides them with Visual Studio. A program that asks for them was compiled in debug mode.

If you use the program: ask its publisher for a “Release” (non-debug) version.
If you are a developer: install or repair Visual Studio with the “Desktop development with C++” workload.

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

Error messages related to msvcr120d.dll

The program can't start because msvcr120d.dll is missing.
Error loading msvcr120d.dll. The specified module could not be found.
Failed to load msvcr120d.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 msvcr120.dll vccorlib120.dll vcomp120.dll

Frequently asked questions

Is msvcr120d.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.