x360ce (Xbox 360 Controller Emulator) is a lightweight tool that maps Xbox controller inputs to emulate an XInput device for games that lack native support. During installation or when launching x360ce, many users encounter an error or prompt saying a required Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable is missing. Here's a concise review focused on that specific dependency and installation experience.
Pros
Cons
Installation notes (practical)
Verdict x360ce is effective and lightweight, but the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable requirement is a common stumbling block. Installing the appropriate Visual C++ runtime (usually the 2015–2022 package) resolves most issues; however, expect brief troubleshooting to match the emulator and game architectures.
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Complete Guide: Installing x360ce and Microsoft Visual C++ Dependencies
Getting a non-Xbox controller to work with modern PC games often requires the Xbox 360 Controller Emulator (x360ce). However, a common hurdle during setup is the "Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime" error. This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough to install the latest x360ce and its critical Visual C++ dependencies to get you gaming quickly. 1. Essential Prerequisites
Before running x360ce, your system must have specific libraries installed. Without these, the application will either fail to launch or crash immediately. Operating System: Windows Vista or newer.
.NET Framework: You need both .NET 3.5 (which includes 2.0 and 3.0) and .NET 4.6 or higher.
DirectX: The DirectX End-User Runtime (June 2010) is required regardless of your OS version. x360ce install microsoft visual c new
ViGEm Bus Driver: Required for modern versions of x360ce to create a virtual Xbox 360 controller.
2. Installing Microsoft Visual C++ (The "New" Unified Package)
Historically, users had to install separate packages for every year (2015, 2017, 2019). Microsoft has since unified these into a single "Visual Studio 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022" redistributable. Step-by-Step Installation:
Download the Unified Package: Visit the official Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable page. Select the Correct Architecture:
On 64-bit Windows: You must install both the x86 and x64 versions. Even on a 64-bit system, many games and x360ce components are 32-bit and require the x86 library. On 32-bit Windows: Only install the x86 version.
Run the Installer: Agree to the license terms and click "Install".
Restart Your PC: This is a critical step to ensure the libraries are correctly registered by the system. 3. How to Install and Configure x360ce
Once the dependencies are ready, follow these steps to set up the emulator:
Download x360ce: Get the latest version from the official website or GitHub repository. Placement: Extract the x360ce.exe file.
Modern x360ce (v4.x): Can be run from any folder; it creates a virtual device globally. Step 3: Install the Redistributables
Older x360ce (v3.x): Must be placed in the same folder as the game's executable (.exe).
Run as Administrator: Right-click x360ce.exe and select "Run as administrator" to ensure it has permission to create necessary DLL files. Map Your Controller: Plug in your controller.
The app should detect it automatically. Click "Add" to search for online settings or "Record" to manually map buttons.
Save and Play: Click "Save" and leave the application running (for v4.x) or close it (for v3.x) before launching your game. 4. Troubleshooting Visual C++ Errors
If you still receive errors like "MSVCP140.dll is missing" or general "Runtime Error" pop-ups:
Repair Installation: Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features, find the Visual C++ Redistributable, right-click it, and select Repair.
Check for Conflicts: Ensure you don't have multiple conflicting versions of the 2015-2022 redistributable. It is best to have only the single latest entry for that specific version range.
Manual DLL Placement: In extreme cases for older games, you can manually place the required DLLs into the game folder, though installing the Redistributable is the preferred method. X360CE • Xbox 360 Controller Emulator
To install and its required Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables
, follow these steps to ensure the application runs correctly without crashing or missing library errors. 1. Install Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables up-to-date VC++ packages
The emulator requires specific runtime components to function. While older versions of x360ce relied on the 2013 redistributable, current versions generally require the latest consolidated package. Steam Community Download the Latest Package : Visit the Microsoft Support Page to download the Visual Studio 2015-2022 redistributable. Install Both Architectures : If you are on a 64-bit Windows system, you must install both the x86 and x64 versions
. Many games are 32-bit (x86) and will fail to find the emulator if the corresponding x86 runtime is missing. Restart Your PC
: A full restart is often required for the system to recognize the new libraries. Xbox 360 Controller Emulator 2. Check Additional Prerequisites
Before running the emulator, ensure these core Windows features are enabled: .NET Framework .NET Framework 3.5 (includes 2.0 and 3.0) and
or newer via "Turn Windows features on or off" in the Control Panel. DirectX End-User Runtime : Download and install the DirectX End-User Runtime (June 2010) regardless of your OS version. Xbox 360 Controller Emulator 3. Install and Configure x360ce
: Get the latest version (4.x for modern virtual gamepad emulation or 3.x for older games using DLL injection) from the Official x360ce Website Run as Administrator : Right-click the and select Run as Administrator to avoid permission issues during configuration. Install Virtual Drivers : If using version 4.x, go to the tab. If it is blinking, click to add the ViGEmBus Virtual Gamepad Emulation Driver Map Your Controller Connect your controller and click Controller 1
button next to each input and press the corresponding button on your controller to map it. once finished. Xbox 360 Controller Emulator Troubleshooting Common Issues X360CE • Xbox 360 Controller Emulator
| Error Message | Fix | |---------------|-----| | “The program can’t start because MSVCP140.dll is missing” | Install VC++ 2015-2022 Redist (x86) | | “VCRUNTIME140.dll not found” | Same as above – reinstall VC++ | | “0xc000007b” (application error) | Install BOTH x86 and x64 VC++ runtimes, then reboot | | “Driver installation failed” | Run x360ce as Administrator, disable antivirus temporarily |
Cause: Corrupt Visual C++ installation or missing Windows Updates. Fix:
sfc /scannow in Command Prompt (Admin).Struggling to get x360ce working? If you’ve downloaded the latest version of the Xbox 360 Controller Emulator (x360ce) only to be greeted by a frustrating error message about missing DLLs or a problem with Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime, you are not alone.
One of the most common hurdles users face when trying to run a new x360ce setup on Windows 10 or Windows 11 is the dependency on the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable. Without the correct, up-to-date VC++ packages, x360ce simply refuses to launch.
This article is a step-by-step guide to performing a new x360ce install with the correct Microsoft Visual C++ dependencies, covering everything from error diagnosis to configuration.
VC_redist.x86.exe first (This is crucial. Even on 64-bit Windows, x360ce’s core emulation runs in 32-bit mode).VC_redist.x64.exe next.