The Problem I Didn’t Expect

As someone who enjoys editing and managing photos, Adobe Lightroom was one of the most important tools on my computer. I had used it before without any issues, but recently, after reinstalling Lightroom 2022, I was hit with a frustrating and confusing error:
“The code execution cannot proceed because VCRUNTIME140.dll was not found.”

I tried to launch Lightroom multiple times, but the same error popped up again and again. Sometimes it showed another message:
“This application was unable to start correctly (0xc000007b).”

At first, I thought it was just a bug or temporary glitch — but I quickly realized I was in for a much longer journey.

Day 1: Trying Random Fixes and Feeling Lost

That first day, I searched all over the internet. Forums, YouTube, articles — some said to reinstall Lightroom, others said to update Windows. I tried both. I uninstalled Lightroom, reinstalled it, restarted the system — but nothing worked.

Eventually, I found out that these types of errors are usually caused by missing or corrupted Visual C++ Redistributable files — special system files that help applications like Lightroom run properly.

That was my first real lesson:

These DLL errors aren’t caused by the software — they’re caused by missing system dependencies.

The Turning Point: Learning What the System Needs

The next morning, I started fresh. I learned that Adobe Lightroom (and many other programs) require both the x64 and x86 versions of Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable — especially the combined version 2015–2022.

I visited the official Microsoft site (not third-party websites) and downloaded:

  • VC_redist.x64.exe

  • VC_redist.x86.exe

Then I installed both and restarted my PC.

This time, when I tried launching Lightroom — it still gave me the error. I was frustrated again, but I didn’t give up. I knew I was getting close.

Deep System Cleanup: The Real Fix

I decided to go deeper and fix everything from the root. Here’s what I did step-by-step:

Ran System File Checker

In Command Prompt (as admin), I typed:

sfc /scannow

This scanned my Windows system files and repaired several corrupted files.

Removed All Old Visual C++ Versions

I went to Control Panel → Programs, and uninstalled all older Visual C++ versions like 2005, 2008, 2010, etc. They weren’t needed anymore.

Used Adobe Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool

I downloaded Adobe’s own cleaner tool, which completely removed leftover Adobe services — including Adobe Genuine Service and ccxprocess.exe, which were giving errors earlier.

After all of this — I reinstalled Lightroom one last time, and when I clicked to open it...

SUCCESS: Lightroom Finally Worked

The app opened instantly. No error. No DLL missing.
It was like a victory moment.

After nearly a full day and a half of work — starting one evening and finishing the next day — I had learned more than I expected:

  • How to understand DLL errors

  • How to use system tools like sfc, powercfg, and firewall

  • How to clean uninstall software completely

  • And most importantly, how to stay calm during tech issues

Lessons I Learned (And You Can Too)

  1. Never panic when an error appears. It’s a puzzle — not a disaster.

  2. Always download from official sources. Microsoft and Adobe tools are the best options.

  3. DLL errors are system issues. Fix your system, not just the app.

  4. Updates can break cracked software. If you’re using a cracked version, never let it update.

  5. Be patient and read carefully. Don’t rush — every step matters.

Should You Update Cracked Lightroom?

Since I was using a cracked version of Lightroom, I made sure to disable auto-updates. If you update, the crack might stop working, and Adobe Genuine Service may return. So:

Never update cracked Adobe software. Never sign in. Use it offline only.

I even blocked Lightroom.exe in the Windows Firewall to stop it from connecting to the internet. That way, it stays stable and doesn’t show update or activation errors again.

Final Thoughts: A Small Fix, A Big Win

Fixing Lightroom taught me that even non-tech users can handle big system errors, as long as they stay curious and don’t give up.

What started as a frustrating error turned into a valuable experience — and now I feel much more confident handling future problems myself. If you’re someone who has seen DLL errors, Adobe crashes, or system issues — don’t panic.

Read, learn, try step-by-step, and you’ll solve it — just like I did.

Want to Share Your Story Too?

If you’ve faced something similar, share your experience in the comments or link me to your blog. We learn best by helping each other.

Thank You for Reading

I hope this post helps someone out there facing the same Lightroom or DLL errors. You’re not alone — and yes, you can fix it.