Aware of this issue in Electrum while downloading 3.3.8?

[2double0]

I tried to update my Electrum from v3.3.4 to v3.3.8 as I was suggested by Electrum to do so, from their website. I downloaded it and while trying to install it, I saw this:

Code:

Error opening file for writing:

C:\...\MSVCP140.dll

Click Abort to stop the installation,
Retry to try again, or
Ignore to skip this file.

When I retry, it shows me this error continuously.
Will it be good for my wallet if I ignore this file and try to download the wallet anyway? Is there a solution for this?

[OmegaStarScream]

It might be a compatibility issue, you can try to ignore it but I doubt that would work. Try the suggested solutions in these articles[1][2].

[1] https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/what-causes-repeated-error-opening-file-for/6b83a847-8806-4cd8-b1a6-18ff71045513
[2] https://windowsreport.com/error-opening-file-for-writing/

[HCP]

Does it show the full file path for that .DLL?

Also, did you check the digital signature of the install file? https://bitcoinelectrum.com/how-to-verify-your-electrum-download/

[Abdussamad]

edit: no that looks like a permissions issue. i'm not familiar with windows but you may need to install electrum as an administrator. alternatively there's the standalone exe download that just works:

https://electrum.org/#download

[pooya87]

MSVCP140.dll is MicroSoft Visual C++ Redistributable Packages for Visual Studio 2015. check inside your installed programs to see if you can find it, this package is one of the dependencies that Electrum has in order to be able to be installed and run.
you may need to install some windows updates specifically the one mentioned on Electrum's website

[2double0]

MSVCP140.dll is MicroSoft Visual C++ Redistributable Packages for Visual Studio 2015. check inside your installed programs to see if you can find it, this package is one of the dependencies that Electrum has in order to be able to be installed and run.
you may need to install some windows updates specifically the one mentioned on Electrum's website

My windows is pirated, will I face any issue while downloading and installing the specific updates for this library file?

edit: no that looks like a permissions issue. i'm not familiar with windows but you may need to install electrum as an administrator. alternatively there's the standalone exe download that just works:

https://electrum.org/#download

I ran the .exe as administrator only but didn't work.

Does it show the full file path for that .DLL?

Yes it showed the full path for that .dll file and it was like C:\Program Files\Electrum\...\MSVCP140.dll
I don't know what this file has to do with Electrum's main folder when it is a lib file which gets installed when we install Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Packages.

[Pmalek]

.dll files can be downloaded from https://www.dll-files.com/
That particular file is for the Microsoft® C Runtime Library. You can download it from here > https://www.dll-files.com/search/?q=MSVCP140.dll

Keep in mind I have never used that site. I don't know what you will download to your system so anything you do, do it at your own risk!

[pooya87]

My windows is pirated, will I face any issue while downloading and installing the specific updates for this library file?

it depends on the pirated version but most probably not since they usually crack it in a way that it doesn't look not-genuine and can download the windows updates. although i believe you should be able to download and install the package separately.
here is the link (it is ~14 MB): https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=52685
P.S. i don't think dowloading the dll alone from any site other than Microsoft would be wise or even solve the problem.
P.P.S. you may want to rethink storing any large amount of bitcoin on a pirated windows. look into cold storage.

[Abdussamad]

The risk with pirated windows is that it may be backdoored and you may get robbed because of that. Win 10 ISO is available for free download from the MS website. You don't even have to activate it to start with. Another alternative is to use linux.

[2double0]

The risk with pirated windows is that it may be backdoored and you may get robbed because of that. Win 10 ISO is available for free download from the MS website. You don't even have to activate it to start with. Another alternative is to use linux.

You mean I can use Windows 10 without any activation? Is it beta or the Professional one? Can you share the official link here? I am currently on Windows 8 Professional. Linux is command based and I am not that familiar with commands to work with, so windows still wins on my mind.

.dll files can be downloaded from https://www.dll-files.com/
That particular file is for the Microsoft® C Runtime Library. You can download it from here > https://www.dll-files.com/search/?q=MSVCP140.dll

Keep in mind I have never used that site. I don't know what you will download to your system so anything you do, do it at your own risk!

I have read their reviews but I don't know if it may harm or have anything malicious chipped into it, so I would pass downloading it from an external source. Which cold storage is the cheapest one? I do not have much BTC with me so, should I prefer a cold storage over PC?

[TryNinja]

You mean I can use Windows 10 without any activation? Is it beta or the Professional one? Can you share the official link here? I am currently on Windows 8 Professional. Linux is command based and I am not that familiar with commands to work with, so windows still wins on my mind.

You can. Just download the ISO and skip the part where you need to input the key. AFAIK, the only difference is that you will have a “activate windows” watermark in the bottom-right corner of the screen. I have done that and kept using it for months.

There is no “command” or method. Literally just click “I don’t have a product key” when they ask for it. Both Home or Pro versions have this.

[Lucius]

My windows is pirated, will I face any issue while downloading and installing the specific updates for this library file?

If you just download that file (pooya87 posted a direct link to Microsoft) you would very likely solve a problem. I don't see any danger to your OS here, even if we consider the fact that you are using a pirated version of Windows.

The only problem you can have with the pirated versions of Windows is that you run Windows Update, and select all updates from the list. At least one of them will make your pirated (activated) version not-genuine, that's just one way Microsoft is forcing users to buy a legal license.

If you look at the Electrum download page, there is still a notification for Windows users at the bottom about an update for older versions of Windows, but I think this particular update refers to Windows 7.

[2double0]

...snip...

There is no “command” or method. Literally just click “I don’t have a product key” when they ask for it. Both Home or Pro versions have this.

Command was meant for Linux as it is all command based and I was suggested to use Linux if not windows, so that's what I wrote "command" for.

...snip...

Thank you, I just downloaded the whole ISO and wasted a lot of time while again encountered with the same error during installation of Electrum, though there is no such watermark as I used an activator to install a fake key and show my windows activated; is that fine? I think I should "ignore" that lib file if it is not of that importance, and just carry on with the wallet?

[NeuroticFish]

as I used an activator to install a fake key and show my windows activated; is that fine

Activator is an executable you ran with internet on? Last one I've used, many years ago, downloaded a bunch of surprises, I hope it's not the case.
Why didn't you just leave it not activated? My older laptop has Win 10 not activated for more than a year and it works fine. The only things that don't work are desktop/taskbar settings related to making it look better.
Electrum definitely worked about a month ago, but I used the portable one.

If a Microsoft Visual C++ Redist dll is missing, you should install the whole redistributable package, that's the proper way.


Linux option: If you want a simple way to use Electrum, just put Tails OS onto an USB stick, boot from the stick and .. Electrum is there and works!

[TryNinja]

as I used an activator to install a fake key and show my windows activated; is that fine

Activator is an executable you ran with internet on? Last one I've used, many years ago, downloaded a bunch of surprises, I hope it's not the case.

I would not trust any “windows activator” most are pretty shady and you will end up installing a rootkit spyware on your device. Just buy a key or do what I said above and keep using it for free with a simple watermark. IMO, the risk isn’t worth and your coins and accounts security should be the priority.

[Artemis3]

The risk with pirated windows is that it may be backdoored and you may get robbed because of that. Win 10 ISO is available for free download from the MS website. You don't even have to activate it to start with. Another alternative is to use linux.

You mean I can use Windows 10 without any activation? Is it beta or the Professional one? Can you share the official link here? I am currently on Windows 8 Professional. Linux is command based and I am not that familiar with commands to work with, so windows still wins on my mind.

False. People use the command line because its easier/faster, but its completely optional. In windows too you have the command line, and there is people that use it rather than doing 20 clicks for the simplest of tasks...

And, Windows is bad enough when not pirated. Using a dubious crack who knows what additional malware they could install, or leave even more backdoors open. Yes the official iso is downloadable free, yes you are supposed to pay to activate it later. I think it will just nag you and show some message in the desktop until you do, don't remember what else they restrict, wallpaper changing or something silly like that.

[Pmalek]

I have read their reviews but I don't know if it may harm or have anything malicious chipped into it, so I would pass downloading it from an external source. Which cold storage is the cheapest one? I do not have much BTC with me so, should I prefer a cold storage over PC?

You are using a pirated OS, who knows what it brought to your system, hopefully nothing.

Hardware and paper wallets are the preferred ways to store your most valuable assets and are worth the time and investment.
I have only used and still use Ledger Nano S so I can only comment and recommend that one. The current price is $59.

Keepkey had a Black Friday promotion where you could get it for $5, I don't think it gets any cheaper than that > https://www.reddit.com/r/keepkey/comments/e24coe/5_keepkeys_are_back_for_black_friday/

But they got a thing going on with ShapeShift and their security seems dubious, to say the least.

I think it will just nag you and show some message in the desktop until you do, don't remember what else they restrict, wallpaper changing or something silly like that.

What about Windows Updates? Are those available?

[Lucius]

What about Windows Updates? Are those available?

Windows 10 updates are working even if Windows is not activated, and as others say only limitations are just cosmetic. But even that can be bypassed with some tricks, so it is possible to change desktop wallpaper if it matters to someone.

For those who want to have a licensed version and don't want to pay expensive for it or risk it with pirated activators, I suggest taking a look at our forum marketplace Digital goods and buy some cheap key from a trusted member.

...as I used an activator to install a fake key and show my windows activated; is that fine? I think I should "ignore" that lib file if it is not of that importance, and just carry on with the wallet?

Activators can be just a tool for activating Windows, but also bad people use them to install some bad things on your device. If I use desktop wallet with a significant amount of coins, I personally would not risk it. But I also have pirated Windows before and Electrum desktop wallet, luckily I did not lose any coin at that time.

[BitMaxz]

~snip~

If you currently using windows 7 try to install the Microsoft visual c++ that includes all old packages(VC++ 2005, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2013 Runtime libraries)

You can download it from here "Visual C++ Redistributable Packages"

It will fix all .dll missing or errors but if it doesn't try to reinstall the above packages and then install it again in safe mode.

If not again well your final shot is to upgrade your OS to windows 10 as suggested above. But I have the same issue before with windows 7 and just downloaded and install c++ packages from the link above solves my issue.

[pooya87]

You can download it from here "[u r l=https://getintopc.com/softwares/utilities/visual-c-plus-plus-redistributable-packages-free-download-1557309/]Visual C++ Redistributable Packages[/url]"

as long as Microsoft itself is providing these packages for free and easy installation you should never download them from any other third party website if you value your security. i've already posted the link to Microsoft download page, you can also find other package versions and updates there.