[Fix] Visual C++ Redist “Minimum Runtime” Error

When you try to install a Visual C++ Redistributable, the following error may appear:

The feature you are trying to use is on a network resource that is unavailable.

Click OK to try again, or enter an alternate path to a folder containing the installation package 'vc_runtimeMinimum_x64.msi" in the box below.

Cause

When you run the VC++ redistributable setup, it tries to uninstall the earlier redistributable version. For that, the Minimum Runtime setup package (vc_runtimeMinimum_x64.msi or vc_runtimeMinimum_x86.msi) needs to exist in the “C:\ProgramData\Package Cache” folder.

For example, when you try to install VC++ redistributable version 14.38.33135.0 (x64) on a system where version 14.38.33130.0 (x64) is installed, the setup needs first to uninstall the older version — i.e., 14.38.33130.0) before installing the version 14.38.33135.0. So, the setup requires the installer files for 14.38.33130.0.

If the Minimum Runtime or the Additional Runtime package for the earlier VC++ redistributable package is missing under the “Package Cache” folder, the above error occurs when installing the latest redistributables.

Resolution

To resolve the “Minimum Runtime” error when installing a VC++ redistributable package, remove the installer information of the earlier redistributable packages. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Download the “Program install/uninstall Troubleshooter” package from Microsoft.

   https://download.microsoft.com/download/7/E/9/7E9188C0-2511-4B01-8B4E-0A641EC2F600/MicrosoftProgram_Install_and_Uninstall.meta.diagcab

2. Run the tool and click Next.
3. Select “Uninstalling.”
   
   In this example (refer to the screenshot at the top of this page), the problem occurs when uninstalling the 2015-2022 (x64) version of the VC++ redist. So, you need to remove the installer information for 2015-2022 (x64) and 2015-2019 and 2022 (x64) using the Microsoft Program Install/Uninstall Troubleshooter tool.
4. In the next screen, uninstall the VC++ 2015-2022, 2015-2019, and 2022 Redistributable (x64) Minimum runtimes.
5. Redo the steps and uninstall VC++ 2015-2019 (and 2015-2022 and 2022) Redistributable (x64) Additional runtimes.

Notes:

• If you’re trying to install VC++ redist 2008 and this error occurs, remove all VC++ redist 2008 entries using the above tool. In the above example, the problem occurred when installing the 2015-2022 VC++ redist x64. So, we removed all the 2015-2022, 2015-2019, and 2022 VC++ redist x64 entries.
• If the problem occurs when installing the VC++ redist 2022 x86 version, uninstall only the VC++ redist 2022 x86 items from the list.
• The Microsoft Program Install/Uninstall Troubleshooter tool doesn’t let you multi-select items. You need to rerun the tool to uninstall each item.

Now, you should be able to install the latest VC++ redist package. Visit the Microsoft webpage Latest supported Visual C++ Redistributable downloads to download the latest VC++ redist.