The program can’t start because MSVCR71.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the p...

Learn the program can’t start because msvcr71.dll is missing from your computer. try reinstalling the program to fix this program with practical examples, diagrams, and best practices. Covers dll, ...
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Resolving the 'MSVCR71.dll is Missing' Error in Oracle SQL Developer

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Learn how to troubleshoot and fix the common 'MSVCR71.dll is missing' error that prevents Oracle SQL Developer and other Java applications from starting.

Encountering the error message "The program can’t start because MSVCR71.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this program" can be frustrating, especially when trying to launch applications like Oracle SQL Developer. This error typically indicates that a crucial runtime component, MSVCR71.dll, which is part of the Microsoft Visual C++ 2003 Redistributable Package, is either absent or corrupted on your system. While the error suggests reinstalling the program, the root cause often lies with the missing DLL rather than the application itself.

Understanding MSVCR71.dll and Its Role

MSVCR71.dll is a dynamic link library (DLL) file that contains essential runtime functions required by programs compiled with Microsoft Visual C++ .NET 2003. Many older Java applications, including certain versions of Oracle SQL Developer, rely on this specific DLL for their Java Virtual Machine (JVM) to operate correctly. When the operating system cannot locate this file, it prevents the dependent application from launching, leading to the error message you see.

flowchart TD
    A[User Launches Application] --> B{Is MSVCR71.dll Present?}
    B -- No --> C["Error: MSVCR71.dll Missing"]
    B -- Yes --> D[Application Starts Successfully]
    C --> E[Solution: Install/Replace DLL]

Flowchart illustrating the application launch process and the MSVCR71.dll dependency.

Common Causes and Solutions

The MSVCR71.dll error usually stems from a few common scenarios:

  1. Missing or Uninstalled Redistributable: The most frequent cause is that the Microsoft Visual C++ 2003 Redistributable Package was never installed or was uninstalled.
  2. Corrupted File: The DLL file might exist but is corrupted, making it unusable by the system.
  3. Incorrect Location: The file might be present on your system but not in a directory where the operating system or the application expects to find it.
  4. Malware Infection: In rare cases, malware can delete or corrupt system files, including DLLs.

While reinstalling the affected program (like SQL Developer) might sometimes trigger the installation of its dependencies, it's often more direct to address the missing DLL explicitly.

Step-by-Step Resolution for Oracle SQL Developer

The most reliable way to resolve this issue for Oracle SQL Developer is to ensure the correct Java Development Kit (JDK) is installed and configured, as SQL Developer relies heavily on it. The MSVCR71.dll is often a dependency of the older Java Runtime Environments (JREs) or JDKs that SQL Developer might be trying to use.

1. Step 1: Verify Java Installation

Ensure you have a compatible JDK installed. Oracle SQL Developer typically requires a JDK, not just a JRE. For older versions of SQL Developer, Java 6 or 7 might be relevant, while newer versions require Java 8 or later. You can check your installed Java versions by opening a command prompt and typing java -version and javac -version.

2. Step 2: Locate or Download MSVCR71.dll (Official Source)

The MSVCR71.dll file is part of the Microsoft Visual C++ 2003 Redistributable. However, Microsoft no longer officially provides this specific redistributable for direct download. The recommended approach is to ensure your JDK installation is correct, as it often bundles or correctly references its required C++ runtime libraries. If you absolutely need to manually place the DLL, it's usually found within older Java installations (e.g., C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_xx\jre\bin).

3. Step 3: Place MSVCR71.dll in the Correct Directory

If you have a legitimate copy of MSVCR71.dll (e.g., from another working system or an older Java installation), you can try placing it in one of the following locations:

  • SQL Developer's bin directory: For example, C:\sqldeveloper\sqldeveloper\bin
  • System32 directory (32-bit OS or 32-bit app on 64-bit OS): C:\Windows\System32
  • SysWOW64 directory (64-bit OS for 32-bit apps): C:\Windows\SysWOW64

After placing the file, restart your computer and try launching SQL Developer again.

4. Step 4: Configure SQL Developer to Use the Correct JDK

If the DLL issue persists, it might be that SQL Developer is looking for a specific JDK that is either missing the DLL or is not correctly configured. You can explicitly tell SQL Developer which JDK to use:

  1. Navigate to the SQL Developer installation directory (e.g., C:\sqldeveloper\sqldeveloper\bin).
  2. Open the sqldeveloper.conf file (or sqldeveloper.bat on Windows) in a text editor.
  3. Look for a line that starts with SetJavaHome or similar. If it doesn't exist, add or modify it to point to your JDK installation path. For example: SetJavaHome C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0_291 (Adjust the path to your actual JDK installation).
  4. Save the file and try launching SQL Developer.

5. Step 5: Reinstall Oracle SQL Developer (Last Resort)

If all else fails, a clean reinstallation of Oracle SQL Developer might resolve the issue, especially if you download the version that includes a bundled JDK. This ensures all dependencies are correctly installed and configured together.