Imagine you’re setting up a new software or eagerly waiting to play a new video game on your Windows PC, but as you click to start the program, a dreaded error pops up about a missing “api-ms-win-crt-string-l1-1-0.dll” file. What exactly is this file, and why is it so important to your system’s operation?
The api-ms-win-crt-string-l1-1-0.dll is an essential part of the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio. This particular Dynamic Link Library (DLL) file holds instructions that various programs may call upon to perform certain operations, such as string manipulation functions, which are crucial for software performance.
Is It Safe to Run?
If the DLL comes from a legitimate application or is installed by a trusted installation process, it is entirely safe to run. The genuine api-ms-win-crt-string-l1-1-0.dll file provided by Microsoft is not inherently malicious or harmful to your computer.
Could It Be a Virus or Malware?
While the authentic DLL file is safe, any file on a Windows computer can potentially be replaced or mimicked by malware. If you encounter a rogue version of api-ms-win-crt-string-l1-1-0.dll on your system, it could indeed be harmful. This is why it’s critical not to download DLLs from untrusted sources and to keep your antivirus software updated.
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Popular Issues with This File
The “api-ms-win-crt-string-l1-1-0.dll is missing” error is among the most common problems users encounter, often when launching applications like Adobe products, or games that depend on this specific version of the Visual C++ library. The error may indicate that the file got deleted, misplaced, corrupted, or that the necessary Visual C++ Redistributable package isn’t installed on your machine.
How to Fix Issues with api-ms-win-crt-string-l1-1-0.dll
To address these problems, follow these steps:
- Unfortunately, you won’t see this in the specification of requirements for Power BI installation.
- Fortunately, i just wrote about this on my blog here on how you can resolve this issue painlessly. This requires downloading and installing Microsoft C ++ Redistributable.
- I dont think thats the problem, because when I uninstall the december version and reinstall the november version, Power BI Desktop starts without problems. As you said – it is Version: 2.65.5313.1381 64-bit (december 2018).
- I had the issue on two different server 2012 r2 – no idea why, but most important, that its running again.
- Only Windows 10 and 11 are supported by Microsoft.
If you’re unsure whether you’re running a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows, check the system information on your computer or follow an online tutorial to determine your system type.
For 32-bit Windows, download the 32-bit DLL file, and for 64-bit Windows, you should download both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions.
- 32-Bit Windows: Place the api-ms-win-crt-string-l1-1-0.dll file into the application or game folder, or in some cases, into the Windows system directory.
- 64-Bit Windows: Install both versions of the DLL file, with the 32-bit version going into the SysWOW64 folder and the 64-bit file into System32. Despite their names, these are the correct folders for 64-bit systems.
If the error persists despite a correct installation, a broader issue might be at play. It could be necessary to update your Windows OS fully or install the appropriate version of the Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio.
Community Discussions and Support
For more personalized help, you can visit online forums such as the tech support subreddit or Microsoft’s own community forum, where users share their experiences and solutions. These platforms can provide valuable insights from both tech experts and other users who might have faced similar issues.
If you do encounter a post that describes a solution that worked for someone else, take the time to read through the provided steps carefully, and ensure you understand them before attempting to apply them to your situation.
Final Thoughts
DLL errors can seem daunting, but with a little patience and careful attention to the details provided here, you can get your system back up and running smoothly. If at any point you feel out of your depth, don’t hesitate to seek out the support of the tech community, or even professional assistance, to resolve your API-MS-WIN-CRT-STRING-L1-1-0.DLL issues.