What is vcredist_x86.exe?
The genuine vcredist_x86.exe file is a software component of Microsoft Visual Studio 2013 by Microsoft Corporation.
"Vcredist_x86.exe" is Microsoft's self-extracting installation file for the Visual C++ Redistributable runtime environment, multiple Dynamic Link Library (DLL) files needed by 32-bit Windows applications that were developed in Visual C++ using Visual Studio 2013 or earlier. (For VS2015 and later, the runtime and its installation was changed.) On 32-bit Windows systems it installs these DLL files in "C:\Windows\System32", and in "C:\Windows\SysWOW64" on 64-bit systems. (On 64-bit systems, "vcredist_x64.exe" must also be used.) Some developers include the Redistributable files in their application's installation package and the user does not have to download or run "vcredist_x86.exe" manually.
vcredist_x86 stands for Visual C++ Redistributable for x86
The .exe extension on a filename indicates an executable file. Executable files may, in some cases, harm your computer. Therefore, please read below to decide for yourself whether the vcredist_x86.exe on your computer is a Trojan that you should remove, or whether it is a file belonging to the Windows operating system or to a trusted application.
Click to Run a Free Scan for vcredist_x86.exe related errors
Vcredist_x86.exe file information
The process known as Win32 Cabinet Self-Extractor belongs to software Microsoft Windows Operating System or Microsoft Visual C (version 2012 Redistributable) or VC_redist.x86.exe by Microsoft (www.microsoft.com).
Description: Vcredist_x86.exe is not essential for the Windows OS and causes relatively few problems. The vcredist_x86.exe file is located in a subfolder of "C:\ProgramData" (for example C:\ProgramData\Package Cache\{33d1fd90-4274-48a1-9bc1-97e33d9c2d6f}\).
Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 461,368 bytes (25% of all occurrences), 455,720 bytes, 674,816 bytes or 6,503,984 bytes. 
It is not a Windows core file. It is a file with no information about its developer. The program has no visible window. Vcredist_x86.exe is certified by a trustworthy company.
Vcredist_x86.exe is able to monitor applications and record keyboard and mouse inputs.
Therefore the technical security rating is 36% dangerous; however you should also read the user reviews.
Uninstalling this variant:
You can uninstall
Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 Redistributable or
Mass Effect™: Andromeda, or try to get help from the software vendor. Click on
Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 Redistributable or
Mass Effect™: Andromeda in the
Windows Control Panel (Software or Programs section) to uninstall it, or click on
microsoft.com to visit the vendor's website.
Recommended: Identify vcredist_x86.exe related errors
- If vcredist_x86.exe is located in a subfolder of the user's profile folder, the security rating is 42% dangerous. The file size is 152,064 bytes (33% of all occurrences), 497,824 bytes or 6,503,984 bytes.
It is not a Windows system file. There is no description of the program. The program has no visible window.
- If vcredist_x86.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files\Common Files", the security rating is 26% dangerous. The file size is 13,179,660 bytes.
The application has no file description. The file has a digital signature. The vcredist_x86.exe file is not a Windows core file. The program has no visible window.
Uninstalling this variant:
You can uninstall
VC_redist.x86.exe, or try to get help from the software vendor. Click on
VC_redist.x86.exe in the
Windows Control Panel (Software or Programs section) to uninstall it, or click on
microsoft.com to visit the vendor's website.
- If vcredist_x86.exe is located in the Windows folder for temporary files, the security rating is 36% dangerous. The file size is 2,723,264 bytes.
- If vcredist_x86.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows, the security rating is 74% dangerous. The file size is 6,554,576 bytes.
Important: Some malware camouflages itself as vcredist_x86.exe, particularly when located in the C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 folder, for example Trojan.Gen.2 (detected by Symantec), and not-a-virus:RiskTool.Win32.BitCoinMiner.hwpu (detected by Kaspersky). Therefore, you should check the vcredist_x86.exe process on your PC to see if it is a threat. We recommend Security Task Manager for verifying your computer's security. This was one of the Top Download Picks of The Washington Post and PC World.
Best practices for resolving vcredist_x86 issues
A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with vcredist_x86. This means running a scan for malware, cleaning your hard drive using 1cleanmgr and 2sfc /scannow, 3uninstalling programs that you no longer need, checking for Autostart programs (using 4msconfig) and enabling Windows' 5Automatic Update. Always remember to perform periodic backups, or at least to set restore points.
Should you experience an actual problem, try to recall the last thing you did, or the last thing you installed before the problem appeared for the first time. Use the 6resmon command to identify the processes that are causing your problem. Even for serious problems, rather than reinstalling Windows, you are better off repairing of your installation or executing the 7DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth command. This allows you to repair the operating system without losing data.
To get your computer running as fast as it did on day one, you can 8reset your PC. Your personal files will remain intact, but any programs you installed will need to be reinstalled.
To help you analyze the vcredist_x86.exe process on your computer, the following programs have proven to be helpful: ASecurity Task Manager displays all running Windows tasks, including embedded hidden processes, such as keyboard and browser monitoring or Autostart entries. A unique security risk rating indicates the likelihood of the process being potential spyware, malware or a Trojan. A good Bantivirus software detects and removes sleeping spyware, adware, Trojans, keyloggers, malware and trackers from your hard drive.
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Score
User Comments
David (further information)
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velmurugan
Summary: Average user rating of vcredist_x86.exe: based on 11 votes with 3 user comments. 10 users think vcredist_x86.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. One user thinks vcredist_x86.exe is dangerous and recommends removing it. 5 users don't grade vcredist_x86.exe ("not sure about it").