api-ms-win-core-version-l1-1-1.dll

What Is api-ms-win-core-version-l1-1-1.dll?

api-ms-win-core-version-l1-1-1.dll is part of the Windows API set (ApiSet) libraries used by modern versions of Windows and the Universal C Runtime (UCRT). It provides a stable interface for version-related functions that are actually implemented in core system DLLs (such as KERNELBASE.dll or ntdll.dll).

These api-ms-win- DLLs are stub/forwarder DLLs: applications link against them, and they in turn forward calls to the real implementation inside the Windows core. They are installed by Windows and, on older systems, by Visual C++ Redistributable / Universal CRT updates.

On DLLme, the metadata for this file may show a link to Visual Basic / Visual Basic Virtual Machine, but functionally this DLL is part of the Windows API set infrastructure, not the classic VB6 runtime.

How api-ms-win-core-version-l1-1-1.dll Fits Into Windows

Internally, this DLL belongs to the api-ms-win-core-version family, which covers APIs related to:

• Retrieving OS version information
• Working with version resources (file version info)
• Checking compatibility across Windows builds

Over several Windows 10 builds, some version functions moved between different api-ms-win-core-version- DLLs, but from the application’s point of view they are just part of the UCRT / Windows API set layer.

Because of this, you normally never install or manage this DLL manually. It comes from:

• Windows itself (Windows 10, 11, Server)
• The Universal C Runtime update on older systems
• The Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable packages

Why api-ms-win-core-version-l1-1-1.dll Errors Occur

Errors involving this DLL typically appear on older or partially updated systems when you try to run newer software that expects the Windows 10+ UCRT environment.

Common causes include:

• Missing Universal C Runtime updates (especially on Windows 7 / 8 / 8.1)
• Incomplete or corrupted Visual C++ 2015–2022 Redistributable installation
• Broken or blocked Windows Update components
• Antivirus or security tools quarantining UCRT / ApiSet DLLs
• Copying EXEs from a newer machine to an older Windows build without installing the required runtimes

You may see these errors when launching games, developer tools, desktop apps, or Office-related components.

Common api-ms-win-core-version-l1-1-1.dll Error Messages

The program can't start because api-ms-win-core-version-l1-1-1.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.

api-ms-win-core-version-l1-1-1.dll was not found.

Error loading api-ms-win-core-version-l1-1-1.dll.

The procedure entry point ... could not be located in the dynamic link library api-ms-win-core-version-l1-1-1.dll.

These messages indicate that the underlying runtime (UCRT/VC++ redistributable) is not properly installed, not that the application itself is broken.

How To Fix api-ms-win-core-version-l1-1-1.dll Errors

Official Microsoft Downloads (Recommended)

✔️ 64-bit (x64) version — for 64-bit Windows & 64-bit apps

• Download: https://aka.ms/vs/17/release/vc_redist.x64.exe

✔️ 32-bit (x86) version — for 32-bit apps on any Windows

• Download: https://aka.ms/vs/17/release/vc_redist.x86.exe

1. Install the Latest Visual C++ Redistributable (2015–2022)

Most applications that rely on api-ms-win-core-version-l1-1-1.dll also depend on the Visual C++ 2015–2022 Redistributable.

• Download the latest vc_redist.x64.exe (64-bit) and vc_redist.x86.exe (32-bit) from Microsoft’s official site.
• Install both if you run both 32-bit and 64-bit applications.
• Restart Windows after installation.

This will install or repair the Universal CRT and the related ApiSet DLLs.

2. Install All Pending Windows Updates

On Windows 7 / 8 / 8.1, the Universal CRT was shipped via Windows Update. If updates are disabled or incomplete, required API-set DLLs may be missing.

1. Open Settings → Windows Update (or Control Panel → Windows Update on older versions).
2. Install all important and recommended updates.
3. Restart and repeat until no more updates are offered.

This is especially important if you see the error when launching Microsoft Office, games, or recent desktop applications.

3. Repair the Visual C++ Redistributable

If the VC++ runtime is already installed but corrupted:

1. Open Apps & Features / Programs and Features.
2. Find Microsoft Visual C++ 2015–2022 Redistributable (x86 and x64).
3. Choose Modify → Repair for each entry.
4. Reboot when finished.

This can restore missing or damaged ApiSet DLLs.

4. Check Antivirus / Security Software

Security tools occasionally block or quarantine less familiar system DLLs.

• Open your antivirus dashboard.
• Check Quarantine / Threat History.
• Restore api-ms-win-core-version-l1-1-1.dll or related UCRT/VC++ DLLs if they were removed.
• Add an exclusion for the affected application folder if necessary.

After that, run Windows Update and VC++ repair again to ensure all components are intact.

5. For Developers: Target a Supported Windows + SDK Combination

If you are a developer seeing this error on your own builds (especially when targeting older OS versions):

• Ensure you are using a Windows SDK version that is compatible with your minimum OS target.
• Avoid copying ApiSet DLLs manually into your application folder.
• Ship the correct VC++ redistributables with your installer or direct users to Microsoft’s official download.

Incorrect SDK targeting or bundling system DLLs with your app can create fragile and unsupported configurations.

Manual Installation Notes

In most cases, you should not manually replace or download api-ms-win-core-version-l1-1-1.dll. It is a system component, closely tied to your Windows build and VC++ runtime version.

If you absolutely must restore the file manually:

• Prefer fixing the root cause with Windows Update and the Visual C++ Redistributable.
• If your environment still requires a direct DLL restore, use a verified copy on DLLme that matches your architecture (x86/x64) and place it in the application’s folder, not in System32 or SysWOW64.

But remember: the stable, supported solution is always to repair the runtime, not just the single DLL.

Security Considerations

A legitimate api-ms-win-core-version-l1-1-1.dll should:

• Reside in C:\Windows\System32\ (64-bit)
• Reside in C:\Windows\SysWOW64\ (32-bit layer)
• Be digitally signed by Microsoft Corporation
• Match your Windows build and UCRT version

Copies found in random folders (Downloads, Temp, browser cache) or with no digital signature should be treated as suspicious and scanned.

Summary

• api-ms-win-core-version-l1-1-1.dll is a Windows API-set forwarder used by the Universal C Runtime and modern applications for version-related functions.
• Errors typically indicate a missing or corrupted VC++ 2015–2022 runtime or Universal CRT, not a problem with the application itself.
• The recommended fixes are: install/repair the Visual C++ Redistributable, apply all Windows updates, repair the runtime, and check antivirus quarantine.
• Manual DLL replacement should be considered a last resort; rely on official Microsoft installers whenever possible.