Update for Universal C Runtime in Windows

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This article describes an update for Universal C Runtime (CRT) in Windows. Before you install this update, see the prerequisites section. For more information, see Introducing the Universal CRT.

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About this update

The Windows 10 Universal CRT is a Windows operating system component that enables CRT functionality on the Windows operating system. This update allows Windows desktop applications that depend on the Windows 10 Universal CRT release to run on earlier Windows operating systems.

Microsoft Visual Studio 2015 creates a dependency on the Universal CRT when applications are built by using the Windows 10 Software Development Kit (SDK). You can install this update on earlier Windows operating systems to enable these applications to run correctly.

This update applies to the following operating systems:

Windows Server 2012 R2
Windows 8.1
Windows RT 8.1
Windows Server 2012
Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1)
Windows 7 SP1
Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (SP2)
Windows Vista SP2

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How to obtain this update

Method 1: Windows Update

This update is provided as a Recommended update on Windows Update. For more information about how to run Windows Update, see How to get an update through Windows Update.

Method 2: Microsoft Download Center

The following files are available for download from the Microsoft Download Center.

Operating system	Update
All supported x86-based versions of Windows 8.1	Download the package now.
All supported x64-based versions of Windows 8.1	Download the package now.
All supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2012 R2	Download the package now.
All supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2012	Download the package now.
All supported x86-based versions of Windows 7	Download the package now.
All supported x64-based versions of Windows 7	Download the package now.
All supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2	Download the package now.
All supported x86-based versions of Windows Vista	Download the package now.
All supported x64-based versions of Windows Vista	Download the package now.
All supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2008	Download the package now.
All supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008	Download the package now.

Note The update for Windows RT 8.1 can be downloaded only from Windows Update.

For more information about how to download Microsoft support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

119591 How to obtain Microsoft support files from online services

Microsoft scanned this file for viruses. Microsoft used the most current virus-detection software that was available on the date that the file was posted. The file is stored on security-enhanced servers that help prevent any unauthorized changes to the file.