How to Fix the VC_runtimeMinimum_x86.msi Error on Windows 10/11

A lot of users received the VC_runtimeMinimum_x86.msi missing error when trying to install some programs and games. The problem is often related to a corrupted or outdated Visual C++ Runtime package. Besides, a faulty hard disk is also responsible for the error.

How to fix the “VC_runtimeMinimum_x86.msi cannot be found” error on Windows 11/10? I explored 5 feasible solutions after analyzing extensive user messages in different communities. Try them one by one until you get rid of the error.

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Solution 1. Copy the VC_runtimeMinimum_x86.msi File from Another Computer

The easiest method for the VC_runtimeMinimum_x86.msi not found error is to copy the file from another working computer. It may seem strange, but worth trying. You can copy it from your friends’ computer and paste it into the file path that shows in the error message, such as:

“C:\ProgramData\Package Cache\{BD95A8CD-1D9F-35AD-981A-3E7925026EBB}v11.0.61030\packages\vcRuntimeMinimum_x86”

Solution 2. Run the Windows Program Install/Uninstall Troubleshooter

Many users reported that the missing VC_runtimeMinimum_x86.msi issue can be solved by running the Windows Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter. For that:

Step 1. Open your web browser and visit the official troubleshooter website.

Step 2. Click on the Download troubleshooter button and select a location to save the package.

Step 3. Once downloaded, run the troubleshooter, click on Next, and wait for the detection process to complete on your computer.

Step 4. When the detection is ended, browse the listed programs to select the program that triggered the “VC_runtimeMinimum_x86.msi not found” error and click on Installing. If you don’t see the program, click Not listed.

Step 5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process and reboot your computer.

Solution 3. Install the Latest Visual C++ Runtime

One of the common reasons for the “VC_runtimeMinimum_x86.msi cannot be found” error is related to a corrupted or outdated Visual C++ Runtime program. To avoid the problem, you can get the latest Visual C++ tool.

Step 1. Visit the official website of Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable.

Step 2. Go to the latest version of Visual C++ Redistributable, click the blue download link (e.g. x64) according to your system architecture (x86 vs x64).

Step 3. Run the executable file, accept the license agreement, and follow the on-screen instructions to install the program. Once done, restart your PC and check if the VC_runtimeMinimum_x86.msi error gets fixed.

Solution 4. Check Disk Errors

If there are bad sectors or other issues on your hard disk, you may encounter the missing VC_runtimeMinimum_x86.msi error. In this case, you’d better check your disk for errors using CHKDSK or an expert disk checker – MiniTool Partition Wizard.

Step 1. Type cmd in the search bar, and then right-click the Command Prompt app and select Run as administrator from the context menu. Then click on Yes in the UAC window to confirm it.

Step 2. In the elevated Command Prompt window, input the following command and press Enter. Then, input Y and reboot your computer to repair disk errors next time the system reboots.

chkdsk /f /r

If you want to have an intuitive layout of the bad sectors on the disk, I strongly suggest you use MiniTool Partition Wizard. It’s an all-in-one disk partition manager that can easily check both physical and logical bad blocks on the disk. Besides, it can partition hard drives, recover hard drive data, clone a hard disk, migrate Windows OS to SSD/HD, convert MBR to GPT without data loss, etc.

MiniTool Partition Wizard FreeClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

Solution 5. Perform a Clean Install of Windows

If the VC_runtimeMinimum_x86.msi error persists after trying all the above solutions, you may consider performing a clean install of Windows 11/10. This will install a fresh copy of Windows on your computer and replace the corrupted system files, which can help repair the VC_runtimeMinimum_x86.msi not found error.

However, this also deletes all data on your system drive. Make sure you have a backup of your computer before proceeding. MiniTool ShadowMaker is a powerful backup program that can easily back up personal data, operating systems, partitions, and disks. What’s more, it can clone a hard disk, sync files, and create system images to restore your system.

MiniTool ShadowMaker TrialClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

Bottom Line

Now, here comes the end of the post. I sincerely hope you get the VC_runtimeMinimum_x86.msi error solved with the above solutions. By the way, don’t hesitate to share this article in your communities to help more affected users. Thanks.