This update allows Windows desktop applications that depend on the Windows 10 Universal CRT release to run on earlier Windows operating systems. Microsoft Visual Studio 2015 creates a dependency on the Universal CRT when applications are built by using the Windows 10 Software Development Kit (SDK).

If some Windows functions aren't working or Windows crashes, use the System File Checker to scan Windows and restore your files. Though the steps below might look complicated at first glance, just follow them in order, step-by-step, and we’ll try to get you back on track.

The versions of Windows that are listed at the beginning of this article include a command-line utility (Wmic.exe) to access Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI). Previously, an end user would generally write a script to gather information by means of WMI.

Describes an update for Universal C Runtime (CRT) in Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, Windows Vista SP2, or Windows Server 2008 SP2.

Fixes an issue in which recycled files are deleted permanently if you delete files from a DFS link in a network environment on a client computer that is running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 after you redirect the Recycle Bin to the DFS link.

Regsvr32 is a command-line utility to register and unregister OLE controls, such as DLLs and ActiveX controls in the Windows Registry. Regsvr32.exe is installed in the %systemroot%\System32 folder in Windows XP and later versions of Windows.

Use this app to try to recover lost files that have been deleted from your local storage device (including internal drives, external drives, and USB devices) and can’t be restored from the Recycle Bin. Recovery on cloud storage and network file shares is not supported.

Make older apps or programs compatible with Windows. Most apps (and other programs, like games or utilities) that were created for earlier versions of Windows will work in the most recent versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11, but some older ones might run poorly or not at all.

Symptoms. Assume that you have Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Runtime Redistributable Package ATL Security Update (build 8.0.50727.4053) installed on a computer. When you try to install Microsoft SQL Server 2012, the installation may fail. Additionally, you may receive the following error message:

Use the 32-bit installer if you’re using a 32-bit version of Windows and the 64-bit installer with a 64-bit version of Windows. To determine which version of Windows you’re using, follow the steps in Method 1 or 2. If one method doesn’t work, try the other.