X360ce Install Microsoft Visual C May 2026
x360ce comes in two flavors. Downloading the wrong one causes immediate silent crashes.
Tip: When in doubt, download both. x360ce is only 2MB.
Cause: You are missing the Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable (or later). Fix:
x360ce (Xbox 360 Controller Emulator) is a utility that allows any standard gaming controller (DirectInput) to emulate an Xbox 360 controller (XInput). This enables older or generic gamepads to function in modern Windows games that only support Xbox controllers. However, x360ce has a critical dependency on the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable runtime libraries. Failure to install these libraries results in fatal errors (0xc000007b, missing DLLs like MSVCP140.dll, or the application failing to launch). This paper outlines the correct installation procedure for both x360ce and the required VC++ runtimes.
You followed the steps, rebooted, but x360ce still says MSVCP140.dll is missing. Here is the advanced checklist.
Document ID: X360CE-VC-REDIST-2025
Last Reviewed: 2025-01-15
How to Install Microsoft Visual C++ for x360ce (Xbox 360 Controller Emulator) successfully, you must install the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2013
. This package provides the essential run-time components required by the emulator to interface with your system's hardware and game files. Essential Requirements
Before setting up the emulator, ensure your system has the following dependencies installed: Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2013 : This is the primary requirement for x360ce. For x64 (64-bit) systems
install both the x86 and x64 versions of the redistributable. For x86 (32-bit) systems : You only need the x86 version. .NET Framework
: x360ce requires both .NET 3.5 and .NET 4.6 (or newer) to be enabled in Windows Features. DirectX End-User Runtime (June 2010) x360ce install microsoft visual c
: This must be installed regardless of your operating system version. Step-by-Step Installation Guide 1. Download and Install Visual C++ Visit the official Microsoft Download Center to get the Visual Studio 2013 redistributables.
Visual C++ Redistributable Packages for Visual Studio 2013 - Microsoft
Installing x360ce (Xbox 360 Controller Emulator) often requires the manual installation of Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable packages to function correctly. These packages provide the necessary runtime libraries that allow the emulator to translate DirectInput commands from your controller into XInput commands that games can recognize. Why Visual C++ is Necessary
The x360ce application is built using Microsoft Visual Studio, which relies on common code libraries. If these libraries are missing from your operating system, the program will fail to launch, typically displaying errors like "MSVCP140.dll is missing" or "Runtime Error". Determining Which Version to Install
Depending on the version of x360ce you are using, different redistributables may be required:
Why do i have so many Visual C++ versions installed? Is that normal?
How to Install Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables for x360ce
If you are trying to get your non-Xbox controller to work with modern PC games using x360ce (Xbox 360 Controller Emulator), you’ve likely encountered an error stating that certain .dll files are missing.
The backbone of x360ce relies on the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable packages. Without these, the emulator cannot bridge the gap between your controller hardware and the game’s software. Here is the definitive guide on which versions you need and how to install them correctly. Why does x360ce need Visual C++?
x360ce is written in languages that require specific "runtime" libraries to execute code. When a developer builds an application in Visual Studio, the end-user needs the corresponding Redistributable package installed on their Windows OS to run it. If these are missing, x360ce will either fail to launch or fail to "hook" into your games. Which versions do you need? x360ce comes in two flavors
Depending on whether you are using the older x360ce 3.x (Alpha/Lib) versions or the newer x360ce 4.x (GDB/App) version, you may need different packages. To be safe and ensure maximum compatibility across all games, it is recommended to have the following:
Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2013 (Required for older versions).
Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022 (The "All-in-One" package required for current versions). Step-by-Step Installation Guide 1. Identify your System Architecture
Before downloading, you need to know if your Windows is 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64). Right-click This PC or My Computer and select Properties. Look under System type. 2. Download the Official Installers
Always download these directly from Microsoft to avoid malware.
For x360ce 4.x (Newest): Download the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Latest Supported Downloads.
If you have a 64-bit system, you must install both the x86 and x64 versions. Many games are 32-bit even on 64-bit Windows, and x360ce needs both sets of libraries to function across different titles.
For x360ce 3.x: You may specifically need the Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable. 3. Run the Installation Close x360ce and any open games. Run the downloaded .exe files.
If it asks to "Repair" or "Install," choose Repair if you already have it, or Install if it’s fresh.
Restart your computer. This is a crucial step to ensure the libraries are correctly registered in the Windows system folders. Troubleshooting Common Errors "MSVCP140.dll is missing" Tip: When in doubt, download both
This is the most common error. It means you are missing the Visual C++ 2015-2022 runtime. Installing the latest "All-in-One" package from the link above will fix this immediately. "VCRUNTIME140.dll was not found"
Similar to the error above, this points to the 2015+ Redistributable. Ensure you have installed the x86 version even if you are on a 64-bit machine, as the emulator often looks for the 32-bit library. x360ce still won't open?
If you have installed the C++ packages and it still fails, ensure you have the .NET Framework 4.6 or higher installed, as the interface (GUI) of x360ce relies on .NET to display correctly. Summary Checklist Install Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable (x86). Install Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable (x64). Restart your PC. Run x360ce as Administrator.
By keeping these libraries up to date, you ensure that x360ce can translate your controller inputs perfectly, allowing you to get back to gaming without the headache of "missing file" pop-ups.
Are you getting a specific error code when you try to launch x360ce, or is the app just failing to detect your controller?
To successfully run (Xbox 360 Controller Emulator), installing the correct Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable
packages is essential. These libraries provide the necessary runtime components that x360ce uses to translate your controller's inputs into a format games can understand. Microsoft Learn Essential Requirements
Depending on which version of x360ce you are using, you will need specific versions of the C++ Redistributable: For x360ce Version 4.x (Latest): Requires the Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2019 Redistributable (both x86 and x64 versions). For x360ce Version 3.x (Older): Often requires the Microsoft Visual C++ 2013
Redistributables to fix common "Failed to load xinput1_3.dll" errors. System Bit Architecture: You should generally install
the x86 (32-bit) and x64 (64-bit) redistributables, as the application and the games it interfaces with may use different architectures. Steam Community Step-by-Step Installation Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable latest · Issue #1488