What is x86 and did I do something wrong when installing Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package (x86)

[Atekkusu]

So I just got a new SSD, and I recently installed windows on it. I wanted to run some benchmarks and see if the stuttering I had with my 5 year old HDD had vanished. So, I installed Valley Benchmark and ran into the error "msvcp100.dll missing for unigine valley benchmark". So I looked up online to see what the issue was and I found https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows10/comments/3ulr79/msvcp100dll_missing_for_unigine_valley_benchmark/

Here it stated that I needed to install MS Visual C++ 2010 runtimes.
I looked that up and installed https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=5555
It worked fine.

Then I noticed after that "TheLatestTrance" stated that "if you are running x64 download both 64 bit and 32 bit service packs. My processor is an x64 processor. I downloaded x86... So, does this cover the x64 and x32 that I apparently should have downloaded? Thank you

 

[gamerk316]

As for C++ runtimes. You can install pretty much all of them or none of them. If they are needed they are typically included in the installer of a program. A little surprising they didn't actually. And you will need the specific one that is called for in the finished program. The 64bit runtimes contain different code than the 32bit runtimes.

If the program asks for one, that is the one you need. You can go with newer versions though, but each edition like 2005 is distinct.2008 C++ runtimes don't contain the 2005 C++ runtimes, and etc.

For instance, my work computer decided on 2013 x86 and x64, 2017 x86 and x64.
My gaming computer has 2003 and up pretty much every version.

Mmm... I only installed the x86 though and it worked fine... why is that so?

Its a full x86 package, it likely has the x64 built in and will install as needed. Remember x64 is an extension of x86.

They are separate and distinct. That program just doesn't require the 64bit runtimes. When they published the software they didn't include the prerequisites. Either an oversight because all their computers already had it (I run into this a lot at work, so many developers completely forget that not everyone has development tools installed), or they assumed, likely correctly, that most people running their benchmark would have many games installed that also need those prerequisites.

You don't see it anymore since Microsoft pretty much handles it now, but games used to install DX/Direct3D, Adobe products for viewing readme files, video playback features, WinG32, and a ton of other software files needed to execute graphics and code.

If there are no issues, don't worry. But you will likely end up with the 2010 64bit runtimes when you start loading in your games. Steam also hides a lot of prereq installs, as they are very easy to install 100% silently, and they don't require reboots.

Pretty much this; sounds like the application in question doesn't need the x64 runtime library. And once you start installing games, you'll eventually end up with all the runtimes anyways.