Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-11

How to Fix: How can I fix a missing MSVCR90.dll file error?

Missing MSVCR90.dll file error in Excel 2010, possible solution: reinstalling Office or installing C++ 2008 SP1 installer.

Quick Answer: Try reinstalling Microsoft Office 2010 or installing the C++ 2008 SP1 installer to fix the issue.

The 'MSVCR90.dll is missing' error occurs when the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2008 SP1 is not properly installed on your computer. This package is required by Office 2010 to run smoothly. After installing Office Home and Business 2010, SP1 and all Windows Updates, you may encounter this issue with Excel, but Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook are unaffected.

This problem can be frustrating, especially when other applications on your system are working fine. However, by following the steps outlined in this guide, you should be able to resolve the issue and get back to using Excel without any issues.

⚠️ Common Causes

  • The primary reason for this error is that the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2008 SP1 is not installed or is corrupted on your system. This package provides the necessary files required by Office 2010 to run correctly.
  • Alternatively, it's also possible that there are other applications on your system that are using the MSVCR90.dll file, causing conflicts with Excel.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Verified Fixes

Installing the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package

  1. Step 1: Go to the Microsoft Download Center and download the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2008 SP1 from the following link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=50395. Follow the installation instructions to install the package.
  2. Step 2: Once installed, restart your computer and try running Excel again to see if the issue is resolved.
  3. Step 3: If you encounter any further issues, you can try reinstalling the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package or seeking additional assistance from a Microsoft support specialist.

Using the C++ 2008 SP1 installer

  1. Step 1: Go to the Microsoft Download Center and download the C++ 2008 SP1 installer from the following link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=50395. Follow the installation instructions to install the package.
  2. Step 2: Note that this method may not work if you have already installed the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2008 SP1.

🎯 Final Words

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the 'MSVCR90.dll is missing' error in Excel and get back to using your application without any issues. If you encounter any further problems, don't hesitate to seek additional assistance from a Microsoft support specialist.

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