The file `api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll` is a crucial component of the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package. It is a dynamic link library (DLL) file containing runtime code necessary for applications developed using Visual C++. Its absence often results in software failing to launch, accompanied by an error message indicating the missing DLL file. This file facilitates the execution of programs that rely on the C runtime library.
The importance of this DLL stems from its role in enabling software compatibility across different Windows systems. When an application requires specific C runtime functions, it calls upon this DLL. If the DLL is missing, corrupted, or an outdated version, the application will not function correctly. Historically, the presence of this file, or the absence thereof, has been a common source of software installation and execution issues, particularly after Windows upgrades or installations where the Visual C++ Redistributable package was not properly deployed.
