The x64 version explicitly supplies the 64-bit runtime libraries. On a 64-bit installation of Windows, software targeting 64-bit performance requires this package, whereas 32-bit applications still need the companion x86 installer package. Core Technical Specifications Visual C++ Redistributable Packages for Visual Studio 2013
In late 2019, Microsoft updated these packages to support SHA-2 code signing. If you are on an older version of Windows 7 or 8.1, you might face installation issues unless your Windows is fully updated. Windows 10 and 11 handle this natively. microsoft visual c++ 2013 redistributable package x64
The VC++ 2013 x64 redist is a quiet workhorse. You don’t notice it until it’s missing, and then everything breaks. For modern devs: (or use the merge module). For users: if an old app asks for it, install it from Microsoft’s official download, not some “DLL download” site. The x64 version explicitly supplies the 64-bit runtime