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iainr20386422
Participant
Jan 2, 2020 12:15 AM UTC
Answered

Creative Cloud Installation troubles - MSVCP140.dll & VCRUNTIME140.dll not found (and my fix)

Tried installing Crative Cloud on a fresh Windows 10 (Pro) build.

When trying to load creative cloud I got two pop-up system errors saying that the code execution could not proceed because MSVCP140.dll and VCRUNTIME.dll were not found ... and that reinstalling the program amy help.

Reinstalling the program did NOT help.

I eventually found (thanks Google) that the problem related to the fact that the Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributables were not installed on my machine (Adobe's support information suggests that all the C++ redistributables are installed / provided with the installer ... and maybe they are, but the installation didn't work).

I set out to install the 2015 C++ redistributable from Microsoft's site, but that installatin failed because it was apparently already installed (even though Add/Remove Programs said it wasn't).

After much searching (thanks Google ... no thanks Adobe), I eventually found the cause and the solution - that the 2015 redistributables wouldn't install because 2017 was already installed ... so after removing the 2017 redistributables, I could easily install the 2015 versions and then the 2017 versions.

I'm not sure how the installation process got this muddled up in my case - whether it is an issue with Adobe's installer, or whether it may have related to other software installed before Creative Cloud that required the latest version - either way it was not a pleasant or quick process for me to get Creative Cloud installed!

To Adobe: maybe you can make sure your installer ensures the C++ 2015 redistributables are loaded first and that it knows what to do if 2017 is already loaded (prior to installing CC, I'd installed various drivers and applications, including Office 365, Dropbox, 1Password, Adobe Audition 3, Acronis True Image Home and Acrobat, and can provide a full list if if helps)

To other readers: I don't have any other insights, but maybe my troubles and the above solution can help if you encounter the same.

udia37598531Correct answer
Participant
Sep 21, 2020 1:31 PM UTC

Go to https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/2977003/the-latest-supported-visual-c-downloads

and download the latest Visual C++ file and install it (for me it was VC_redist.x64.exe)

After I did that the launcher worked just fine!

35 replies

Participating Frequently
Nov 2, 2026 1:56 PM UTC

Just in case anyone comes here with the issue where Creative Cloud gets stuck on initializing, I tried many fixes over a few hours and the one that worked was running through my installed C++ installations from within settings - installed apps, clicking on the modify option (modify is available for most but not all), then clicking repair. Most repairs were very fast, no reboot required. One repair too longer and prompted a reboot. I rebooted, finished all available C++ repairs, then Creative Cloud loaded straight away. Check your error logs, application view. Mine helped point me in the right direction. Google whatever file or app or code you see in recent Creative Cloud errors. My errors pointed towards C++. Good luck! And don’t give up. There are many possible fixes, one will work.

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AkanshaAshra
Community Manager
Community Manager
Nov 2, 2026 2:29 PM UTC

​

Hi @Lanxalot 

Thank you for sharing such a detailed update with the community. It’s great to hear that you were able to get Creative Cloud working again, and we appreciate you explaining what helped in your case.

Sharing solutions and experiences like this can be very useful for others who may come across a similar issue. Thank you for taking the time to contribute and help fellow community members.

^Akansha

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Participant
Jan 8, 2021 5:34 AM UTC

I know this is a rather old post, but I want to simply express my gratitude for this fix. I just purchased a new lap top, and have fretted the entire day trying to install ACC. It has been miserable. Your clear instructions were spot on, and the apps are now downloading. Thank you for the helpful post.

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Participant
Dec 18, 2020 12:27 PM UTC
Participant
Dec 5, 2020 6:16 PM UTC

This fixed my problem immediately. Thank you so much!!! 

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Participant
Nov 30, 2020 7:16 PM UTC

I found the comments in this tread helpful.  However I am a visual learner.  I found this short YouTube video that discribes 3 ways to fix the problem.  The second option in this video (repair) worked for me.  I tried this first and it took less then 2 minutes to repair all Microsoft Visual C++ apps. Fix "Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library" Error in Windows 10/8/7 - [2020 Solution]

https://youtu.be/53MvF_Ugtqo

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Participant
Nov 16, 2020 9:18 PM UTC

muito obrigado instalei o c++ e resoveu muito obrigado

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Participant
Nov 28, 2020 10:56 PM UTC

Great help thank you

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Participant
Nov 10, 2020 8:48 PM UTC

you resolved my issue. I was banging my head as I just bought this laptop and paid adobe and had no idea why this was happening. Thank you!

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Participant
Nov 2, 2020 11:50 AM UTC

Thanks so much!! Had to play around with uninstalling and installing various versions of Visual C but got there in the end. Appreciate this so much!

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Participant
Nov 1, 2020 7:31 PM UTC

thankyou so much. this helped me too

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Participant
Oct 31, 2020 2:37 AM UTC

Amazing, this actually worked. Thnak you!!!!!

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Participant
Nov 1, 2020 10:09 AM UTC
Glad to help
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