Redistributeable auto-install side effects

A

alexst_work

New Member
Today i launched OBS and instantly got a notice for available updates.
I clicked for installing them, authorized them to perform their task
and then had some noticeable wait time because also the C++ redistributable pack was part of the install.
After that OBS did not run anymore but guided me with a dialog box to the OBS web page:

Visual Studio 2022 Runtimes | OBS

OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) is free and open source software for video recording and live streaming. Stream to Twitch, YouTube and many other providers or record your own videos with high quality H264 / AAC encoding.
obsproject.com obsproject.com

There i saw the notice telling me I would need to install both versions (x86 and x86_64) via the offered packages. (I definitely doubt that but did anyways.)
X86_64 was already installed so it finished quickly, x86 was not and got an install with finally asking for a restart that I decided to postpone.
At the end OBS did not run.

I think that these first run auto-installer missed the point telling me about a restart is needed.
And even it missed the point of telling me upfront it would be needed if Redist-package was rolled out.

The guidance in the process needs some improvement - you don't always have the time or chance for a full reboot.
(Whatever your computer is doing for you at that time, e.g. taking part in a web conference or anything else you dont want to pause/stop.)
 
M

MrGhost

Member
Most programs these days include sha256 signatures next to any thing like that that you might be required to install. Not saying anything. Just saying.
I have been dealing with this today also because of the reasons in the nearby posts I have been discussing, causing me to also have to attempt to run OBS new versions. Not liking the sound of this from other adjacent posts in the search for "visual studio" I ran in here. You know I hate to update.
 
M

MrGhost

Member
Also noting that the forum here seems to be under attack by some spammer. I don't think you should feel bad they seem to be doing it everywhere on the internet, that's why I suppose I run into more Cloudflare verification screens these days asking me to pull pieces of puzzle into place to prove I'm an actual human or whatever. Crazy state of things during this war we are fighting.
 
M

MrGhost

Member
Just found these on the Microsoft page and though I scanned the page, I see no mention there for a Sha256 either. I don't really know anything about this stuff, but I know the last things I downloaded from Microsoft had the Sha256 right there so I could check it. I don't know why they are inconsistent on this point but I am sure it probably is cause it's from a different department there or something. I always have to install some redistributable something or other.
learn.microsoft.com

Latest supported Visual C++ Redistributable downloads

This article lists the download links for the latest versions of Visual C++ Redistributable packages.
learn.microsoft.com
 
koala

koala

Active Member
On a properly managed Windows system, there are no side-effects with installing and updating the visual c++ redistributables. It just works.
Things you need to do:
  • obtain the original installer from Microsoft
  • install with the official Microsoft installer
  • keep redistributable installations updated by using Windows Update
Most apps prepare for redistributable installation within their app installer. The only time you need to manually obtain a redistributable installer is with .zip packages where you manually copy files instead of using an installer.

Things that one must never do:
  • manually copy files contained in the redistributables from the default install location to other directories on the local system
  • manually get loose dll files from elsewhere (Internet or other PC) and copy them to the local system
  • manually delete files that are originally installed by a redistributable package
  • install some app that does any of the above within its installer
  • try to do one of the above to circumvent the requirement of being administrator for redistributable installation
If you once did one of the "must never do" in the past, it's possible future updates and redistributables will fail, even if you return to the "need to do" best practice. If in doubt, reinstall Windows (sic!)

Over time, these different redistributables will show up on your system, depending on the age of the apps you install:
  • Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable
  • Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable
  • Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable
  • Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 Redistributable
  • Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable
  • Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable
Every one of these come as 32-bit (tagged as x86 or no tag) and as 64-bit (tagged as x64). Together 12 redistributables.
Every one of these corresponds to some Microsoft C++ compiler from that time. They are no updates of each other, they all need to be installed in parallel. You shouldn't uninstall older ones unless you're sure every app that required an older one was updated and compiled with a new compiler.
 
A

alexst_work

New Member
alexst_work said:
I think that these first run auto-installer missed the point telling me about a restart is needed.

The guidance in the process needs some improvement - you don't always have the time or chance for a full reboot.
Click to expand...
just the two key lines from the opening post again.
 
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