msvcp120.dll

What Is msvcp120.dll?

msvcp120.dll is an official Microsoft C++ Standard Library runtime file included with the Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable (version 12.0.x).

This DLL provides essential C++ standard library functions such as:

• Containers (std::vector, std::string, std::map, etc.)
• Algorithms
• File I/O
• Exceptions
• Threads & concurrency helpers
• Utility classes and templates

It is required by thousands of Windows applications compiled using Visual Studio 2013.

On DLLme, all Verified versions are genuine Microsoft builds extracted from official redistributables.

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What Software Uses msvcp120.dll?

Any application compiled with Visual Studio 2013 (MSVC 12.0) may need this DLL. Common examples include:

• Games (Unreal Engine 3/4 era titles, older Unity builds)
• OBS Studio (older releases)
• Autodesk and Adobe tools (some versions)
• WinRAR and other utilities
• Business, scientific, and engineering applications
• Proprietary in-house apps built on MSVC 2013

If the developer used the 2013 compiler toolset, the program cannot start without msvcp120.dll.

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What Does msvcp120.dll Do?

This runtime DLL contains the C++ Standard Library (STL) implementation for MSVC 2013, including:

✔ Standard Containers

std::string, std::wstring, std::vector, std::map, etc.

✔ Algorithms

Sorting, searching, numeric algorithms, utilities.

✔ File Handling

Streams, file I/O, formatting, parsing.

✔ Exceptions

C++ exception handling logic (std::exception, std::runtime_error, etc.).

✔ Multithreading

Concurrency objects, locks, threading primitives.

✔ Memory Management

Allocators, new/delete handler logic, resource management.

Without this DLL, applications using these C++ features will fail to run.

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Common Error Messages

Applications typically report:

“msvcp120.dll is missing.”

“The program can’t start because msvcp120.dll was not found.”

“Error loading msvcp120.dll.”

“msvcp120.dll is either not designed to run on Windows or contains an error.”

These appear when the Visual C++ 2013 runtime is missing, corrupted, or mismatched.

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Why Is msvcp120.dll Missing?

The Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable is not included by default in Windows 10 or Windows 11.

Common causes of missing DLLs:

• The runtime was never installed
• Installation failed or was incomplete
• The file was deleted manually
• Antivirus quarantined the DLL
• File version mismatch (x86 vs x64)
• A program shipped without the correct redistributable

Because Microsoft requires developers to bundle the redistributable separately, installation problems are common.

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Is msvcp120.dll Safe?

Yes — when it comes from:

• Microsoft’s official Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable
• Windows Update
• Software installers that include the correct runtime
• Verified DLLme entries

Suspicious or unsafe versions may exist if:

• The DLL appears in strange directories
• It was manually downloaded from untrusted sources
• Its size differs from known Microsoft builds
• It is modified or digitally unsigned

msvcp120.dll should always be a Microsoft-signed binary.

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How to Fix msvcp120.dll Errors

✔ 1. Install the Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable

Download the official package from Microsoft (x86 + x64):

• vcredist_x86.exe
• vcredist_x64.exe

Both should be installed, even on 64-bit systems.

✔ 2. Repair the Redistributable

If it is already installed, select Repair from “Apps & Features.”

✔ 3. Restore from Antivirus Quarantine

Many apps load DLLs dynamically, which may result in false positives.

✔ 4. Match the Architecture

• 32-bit program → x86 redistributable
• 64-bit program → x64 redistributable

✔ 5. Standalone DLLs

Microsoft runtimes depend on matching sets of DLLs. Replacing only msvcp120.dll often creates new errors.

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File Location

After installation, the official runtime places the DLL in:

• C:\Windows\System32 (64-bit runtime)
• C:\Windows\SysWOW64 (32-bit runtime)

Applications may also include private copies inside:

• AppFolder\
• AppFolder\bin\
• GameFolder\Binaries\Win32\
• GameFolder\Binaries\Win64\

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Summary

• msvcp120.dll is a core Microsoft C++ Standard Library component from Visual C++ 2013 (MSVC 12.0).
• Required by games, utilities, and applications built with Visual Studio 2013.
• Missing DLL errors occur when the VC++ 2013 runtime is not installed or corrupted.
• The correct fix is installing or repairing the Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable (x86 / x64).
• Verified DLLme versions originate from legitimate Microsoft redistributable packages.