Uninstalling older Visual C++ packages is a quick solution
by Matthew Adams
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- If you encounter the Visual C++ installation error 0x80070666, remove components that might interfere with it.
- Repairing the previous installation can sometimes help with this issue.
- Keeping your system up to date is an excellent way of dealing with all sorts of problems.
0x80070666 is a Microsoft Visual C++ installation error. When trying to install Visual C++ Redistributables on Windows, the issue arises for some users. The full error message states this:
One or more issues caused the setup to fail… 0x80070666 – Another version of this product is already installed. Installation of this version cannot continue. To configure or remove an existing version of the product, use the Add/Remove Programs.
Users can’t install the required Microsoft Visual C++ package when this happens. The error message, however, does provide a subtle hint of how to fix the issue.
What is C++ redistributable error 0x80070666?
The error code 0x80070666 is a Microsoft Windows error code indicating a problem installing a Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package.
This error may occur for any of the following reasons:
- Conflicting installations – If you have multiple versions of the same Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable installed on your system, it can cause a conflict and result in the installation failing with error code 0x80070666.
- Corrupted installation files – The error can also occur if the installation files for the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package are corrupted or damaged.
- System compatibility – If your system does not meet the minimum requirements for the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package, the installation may fail with error code 0x80070666.
- Registry issues – The error can also occur if there are issues with the registry settings or system files related to the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package.
- Antivirus software – The installation may also be blocked by antivirus software that is installed on your system.
Should I install all Visual C++ redistributable?
Whether or not you should install all Visual C++ Redistributable packages depends on your specific needs and computer usage. However, here are a few reasons why installing them may be the right choice:
- Required by some programs – Some programs, such as games or other applications, may require a specific version of the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable to be installed on your system to run correctly.
- Ensure compatibility – Installing the latest versions of the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable can ensure compatibility with the newest software and prevent compatibility issues.
- Fix errors – Installing the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable can help resolve error messages related to missing or outdated components.
- Improving performance – Installing the latest versions of the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable can sometimes enhance the performance of programs that use these components.
- Future-proofing – Installing the latest versions of the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable can help future-proof your system and ensure compatibility with future software releases.
However, keep in mind that installing multiple versions of the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable can take up considerable space on a PC. Therefore, you should only install the versions required by your programs.
If you are still determining which version to install, it is best to check the system requirements for the software you are using or consult a professional.
How can I fix error 0x80070666?
1. Uninstall Visual C++ packages already installed
- Press the Windows key + R hotkey.
- Type appwiz.cpl in the Open text box and click OK.
- Select a Microsoft Visual C++ package to uninstall, then click Uninstall.
- Then go through the uninstall guidelines to remove the software.
- Repeat steps three to five to uninstall all Visual C++ packages.
- After doing that, restart your PC and try to install the desired package again.
2. Check for Windows updates
- Press the Windows key + S keyboard shortcut to check for Windows updates.
- Type the keyword updates in the search box. Click Check for updates.
- Then press the Check for updates button. Windows 10 will download pending updates.
- After that, you’ll need to restart Windows.
3. Repair the Visual C++ installer
- Press Windows key + R and enter appwiz.cpl. Press Enter.
- Select the version of Visual C++ Redistributable that you want to repair and click Change.
- Select Repair.
- Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the process.
- Do this for all other versions of Visual C++ Redistritubatbles.
- Fix: Microsoft Visual C++ runtime library in Windows 10/11
- How to use DISM commands in Windows 10 [Full Guide]
- Fix: Side by side configuration is incorrect [Windows 10/11]
4. Check out the Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter
- Visit the Microsoft Installation Troubleshooter page.
- Click on Download troubleshooter.
- Open the troubleshooter’s window, and click Advanced.
- Select Apply repairs automatically and click Next.
- Now select the Installing option.
- Select the Visual C++ package where error 0x80070666 arises, and press the Next button.
- Wait for the process to finish.
Those are a few more widely confirmed resolutions with fixed error 0x80070666 for users. So, they’ll probably resolve the issue so you can install the required Visual C++ package.
If you still have problems, check our Cannot install Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable guide for more solutions.
If you are aware of another fix for this issue, help the other users by sharing it in the comments below.
So, many of you would have been wondering about want Microsoft Visual C++ is on a Windows computer and would have been annoyed by the Visual C++ error with an error code 0x80070666. Well, this article will clearly explain what visual C++ is and how to fix the error related to it.
Well, Windows is a versatile OS with a lot of features and functions. The OS acts as a perfect platform for applications and software to run and function. Running applications and software on OSes is not as easy as it seems as there are lots of technical stuff common people will not understand. Every aspect of the OS is meticulously programmed and are made to provide a perfect platform for users to run applications. Well, to run applications on Windows OS, the application must use libraries supported on Windows to program the applications and to run those applications a compiler is required. Windows is an OS mainly programmed using the C language package, applications developed for the OS needs to be compatible and run smoothly.
Well, C is a pretty old programming language, but Microsoft still uses the language to program some of the OSes components and many applications developed for Windows are programmed using the C language package. Well, C is also considered the mother of all programming languages and there are many languages that have been recently developed out of the C language like C++, Python and much more.
Well, the role of a compiler is to execute a programme and that makes the compiler a very needed component. If the programmer uses C programming, the client that is going to use the programme needs a C compiler and well, that is what Visual C++ is. It is a compiler for Microsoft Visual C, Microsoft Visual C++, and C++/CX programming languages. The Visual C++ is for compiling codes written in the C and C++ languages and is usually used for running Microsoft API’s, DirectX and .NET frameworks.
Mostly all applications that run on Windows OS will have C components and thus need a compiler. If you have noticed, you would have seen many Visual C++ packages installed on your computer and every application that needs the visual C++ will install a version of it. This might seem a little tricky because you will see a lot of them on your computer. Well, to explain this phenomenon, you have to understand that Visual C++ Redistributables are library packages that are specific and each version of the Visual C++ package will contain a specific set of libraries that may not be used for running other applications. So, with each app that is being installed on the computer that requires the Visual C++ redistributables, there will be a version installed that will sid the applications C components to be compiled.
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Well, recently some users have been facing errors relating to Visual C++. it seems that an error with a code 0x80070666 pops up and hinders the workflow of the users. Well, the error seems to appear due to some software conflict on the computer. With many versions of Visual C++ installed the possibilities of conflict is quite possible and here are some fixes that will help you fix the Visual C++ error 0x80070666 on Windows 10 and 11.
Simple Methods to Fix Visuall C++ Error 0x80070666 on Windows 11 and 10
So, here are some simple methods that you can try and fix the visual C++ error on your computer. Follow along and fix the issue with ease ad work efficiently.
Method 1: Uninstall Previously Installed Visuall C++ Redistributables
Well, uninstalling is a way of fixing the issue but if you uninstall a version that is required by another application, then it will become a problem, so uninstall the one that is causing the trouble(usually the same version) to not mess around with other applications. Or to be safe, you can uninstall all the packages and then reinstall them.
- To uninstall the Visual C++ Redistributables from your computer, open the control panel.
- Here, go to uninstall a program, here find the Visual C++ Redistributors and uninstall them one-by-one from your computer.
- Once you have uninstalled all of them restart the computer and install the packages.
Method 2: Update the Computer
Updating the computer will resolve many common issues on the computer.
- To update your computer, open the search bar by pressing the Windows key and the S key on the keyboard.
- Here, type, Updates and then select the option to check for updates.
- Now, you will be on the updates page in the settings application here select the check for updates option. This will check for any available updates on the internet.
- The updater will install the updates and then you have to restart the computer.
Method 3: Repair Visual C++ Installer on Your Computer
- To repair the C++ installer on your computer, press the Windows plus R key on the keyboard.
- Here type in appwiz.cpl and then hit enter.
- Here, select Visual C++ Redistributable version and then click on change.
- Select the repair option.
- Complete the process.
- Continue the repair process for all the Visual C++ redistributable versions installed.
Method 4: Use Windows Terminal to Fix the Error
- First, download the version of the Visual C++ redistributional package on your computer.
- To use the terminal to repair install the Visual C++ redistributional on your computer, open the terminal by pressing the Windows key and the X key on the keyboard and then choosing the Windows Terminal(admin) option from the menu.
- Now in the terminal enter “cd C:\Users\WindowsReport\Downloads”.
- Once done, run the following command “vc_redist.x64.exe /uninstall”.
- Now opt for the repair option.
- Complete the process.
Hope the information provided above was useful and informative, with these simple methods you can fix the Microsoft Visual C++ error 0x80070666.
25.03.2020
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Во время установки пакета Microsoft Visual C++ пользователи могут столкнуться с ошибкой 0x80070666, которая сопровождается пояснением, что уже установлена другая версия библиотеки. При этом, если удалить все установленные библиотеки С++, ошибка 0x80070666 все равно будет появляться заново.
Причина такой неполадки кроется в уже установленном пакете. Дело в том, что Microsoft Visual C++ 2017 уже имеет компоненты Microsoft Visual C++ 2015, а Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 включает в себя компоненты более ранних сборок. Из-за этого происходит конфликт компонентов. Поэтому, чтобы исправить ошибку 0x80070666 при установке Microsoft Visual C++ на различных сборках Windows, стоит воспользоваться следующими рекомендациями.
Читайте также: Как исправить системную ошибку DirectX с файлами DXError.log DirectX.log?
Методы исправления ошибки 0x80070666 при установке Microsoft Visual C++
Для того, чтобы исправить ошибку 0x80070666 при установке Microsoft Visual C++, стоит в первую очередь очистить Windows от уже установленных библиотек. Для этого нужно выполнить следующие действия:
- Жмем «Win+R» и вводим «appwiz.cpl», чтобы открылось окно «Удаление программ и компонентов Windows».
- Находим уже установленные пакеты C++ и удаляем их.
- После удаления всех пакетов нужно перезагрузить систему, чтобы изменения вступили в силу. Повторяем попытку установки нужного пакета Microsoft Visual C++.
Если же такая неполадка возникает на компьютере с Windows 10, то причина может крыться в недостающем обновлении. Необходимо перейти в «Параметры», «Обновления и безопасность» и запустить проверку на наличие обновлений.
После установки обновлений стоит опять повторить попытку установки библиотеки. Если ошибка 0x80070666 не исчезла, то необходимо выполнить восстановление компонентов C++. Для этого нужно запустить командную строку с правами Администратора и ввести такие команды:
- CD C:\Users\*YourUser*\Downloads
- vc_redist.x64.exe /uninstall
ВАЖНО! Вместо *YourUser* вводим имя своего пользователя.
Появиться небольшое окно самой библиотеки. Кликаем на кнопку «Исправить».
Если сама программа не смогла исправить неполадку, то рекомендуем попробовать запустить штатный инструмент для поиска и исправления неполадок с софтом. Для этого нужно в поисковой строке Windows прописать запрос «Устранение неполадок», а далее выбрать раздел с софтом.
Если штатный инструмент не обнаружил нарушений в работе программ и компонентов, тогда рекомендуем сразу подключить к ПК установочный диск и выполнить восстановление системы, а затем повторить попытку установки Microsoft Visual C++ нужной версии.
Several Windows users are encountering the “0x80070666” error when trying to install Microsoft Visual C++, Lumberyard or a similar distribution package. The error message is typically reported to occur at the very start of the installation process. This particular issue is not specific to a certain Windows version since it’s confirmed to occur on Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10.
What is causing the 0x80070666 Error when Installing Microsoft Visual C++?
We investigated this particular issue by looking at various user reports and the repair strategies that most affected users have deployed in order to resolve this particular error message. From what we gathered, there are several different scenarios that will trigger this error message:
- Another Visual C++ installation is already present – As it turns out, Visual C++ 2015 and Visual C++ 2017 will contain some common binary files that are known to conflict. If you already have Visual C++ Redist 2017 and you’re trying to install the 2015 Redist, you’ll likely see this particular error message. In this case, uninstalling the newer Visual C++ should resolve the issue.
- Bad Visual C++ installation – There are certain scenarios that might end up contributing to a bad installation of the Visual C++ Redistributable package. Whenever this occurs, you have little other choices that running a specialized Fix-it tool or trying to force the Repair screen to pop up using Command Prompt.
- Windows Update is planning on installing the same Visual C++ package – Another scenario in which you might encounter this particular issue is if the updating component (Windows Update) has a pending update that will update the same Visual C++ package. In this case, installing every pending Windows update should resolve the issue automatically.
If you’re currently for a fix that will allow you to bypass the 0x80070666 error and complete the installation of the distribution package, this article will provide you with several troubleshooting methods. Down below, you have several potential fixes that other users in a similar situation have successfully used to get the issue resolved.
The methods are ordered by efficiency and severity, so please follow them in the order that they are presented. One of them is bound to resolve the issue in your particular scenario.
Method 1: Uninstalling all current Visual C++ Redistributable packages
As a lot of users have reported, this particular issue is mostly occurring if your computer already contains a version (older or newer) of the same distributable package that you’re trying to install.
In most cases, the error appears when the user tries to install Visual C++ Redist 2015 but a newer installation is already present on that system. Several affected users have reported being able to resolve the Setup failed – 0x80070666 installation error by uninstalling the newer version.
Here’s a quick guide on how to do this:
- Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Then, type “appwiz.cpl” and press Enter to open up the Programs and Features screen.
Type appwiz.cpl and Press Enter to Open Installed Programs List - Inside the Programs and Features screen, scroll down through the list of installed programs and locate all your Microsoft Visual C++ Redist installations.
- Right-click on every Microsoft Visual C++ Redist installation and choose Uninstall. Then, follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation for every redist package.
Uninstalling every Visual C++ Redist package - Once every Visual C++ package has been uninstalled, restart your computer and wait for the next startup to complete.
- Attempt to install the same Redist package that was previously failing with the 0x80070666 error.
If you’re still encountering the same error message, move down to the next method below.
Method 2: Running the Fix-It tool
There is one Microsoft Fix It tool that several affected users have successfully used to resolve the problem that was preventing the redist package from being installed automatically. This particular Fix It tool will perform several repair strategies that will repair several components (including corrupted registry keys) used during the installation of new programs.
Note: This Fix it tool will work for Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10.
Here’s a quick guide on using this Fix It tool to resolve the 0x80070666 error:
- Visit this link (here) and click the Download button to download the Fix It tool.
Downloading the Fix it Tool - Once the tool has been downloaded, double click on the .diagcab file to open up the Fix It tool. Once you see the initial screen, click on Advanced and make sure that the box associated with Apply repairs automatically is checked. Then, click Next to advance to the next menu.
Applying repairs automatically - At the next screen, click on Installing.
Problems with Installing programs - Wait until the inspection phase is complete, then select which redist package you’re encountering the issues with and click Next.
Selecting the redist package that you’re having issues with - Follow the recommended repair strategies until you reach the end of the program.
Trying out the recommended fixes - Once the Fix It tool has run its course, restart your computer and see if you’re able to install the redist package at the next startup without issues.
If you’re still encountering the 0x80070666 error, move down to the next method below.
Method 3: Installing any pending Windows Updates
As it turns out, you might be encountering the 0x80070666 error because Windows Update is already preparing to install the same redist package. Several affected users reported that upon making the necessary Windows update, the redist package that was previously failing with the 0x80070666 error was installed automatically.
Here’s a quick guide on installing any pending Windows update:
- Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Then, type “ms-settings:windowsupdate” and press Enter to open up the Windows Update tab of the Settings app.
Run dialog: ms-settings:windowsupdate Note: If you’re not on Windows 10, use the “wuapp” command instead.
- Once you arrive at the Windows Update screen, click on Check for updates and follow the on-screen instructions to install all the pending windows updates.
Installing every pending Windows update - Once every pending update has been installed, restart your computer and see if the redist package is not already installed. If it isn’t, try to install it and see if you’re still encountering the same error message.
If you’re still haven’t managed to get rid of the 0x80070666 error, move down to the next method below.
Method 4: Using Command Prompt to repair the Visual C++ installation
Several affected users have reported that they suspected that the Visual C++ installation was corrupted, but they had no means of repair it since the program didn’t appear inside the Add or Remove Programs list. This typically happens with the Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable package.
Fortunately, they were able to fix this by downloading the installation executable and forcing the repair window to appear via Command Prompt. Here’s a quick guide on how to do this:
- Make sure that the installer of the redistributable package that you’re trying to install is present on your computer. Make sure that know it’s exact location. If the installer is not present on your PC, download it again.
- Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Then, type “cmd” and press Enter to open up Command Prompt.
- Inside the Command Prompt, use the following command to change the directory to the one holding the file. For example, if the redist installer (e.g. vc_redist.x64.exe) is located inside the Download folder, then you’ll need to use the following command to change to the relevant directory:
CD C:\Users\*YourUser*\Downloads
- Once you’ve made sure that the terminal is working in the right directory, type the name of the installation executable followed by /uninstall to force the install window to appear. Like this:
vc_redist.x64.exe /uninstall
- Then, click Repair and follow the on-screen prompts to repair your Visual C++ redist installation.
Kevin Arrows
Kevin Arrows is a highly experienced and knowledgeable technology specialist with over a decade of industry experience. He holds a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification and has a deep passion for staying up-to-date on the latest tech developments. Kevin has written extensively on a wide range of tech-related topics, showcasing his expertise and knowledge in areas such as software development, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. His contributions to the tech field have been widely recognized and respected by his peers, and he is highly regarded for his ability to explain complex technical concepts in a clear and concise manner.