Does `vc_redist.x64.exe /install /passive` restart a user's system?

it’s possible

I already knew as much. But what actually happens?

Hi @user,

I already knew as much. But what actually happens?

If restarting is needed, the installer will restart machine automatically without any prompts or confirmation and finish the installation.

Sometimes the installation finishes without restarting the machine, as no need to reboot the machine, it depends on the specific system/installation environment(consider Windows 10, Windows 11, some patches have been installed, some not...).

As you also use /passive, no prompts will display.

Let me know if you have any further concerns.

Regards,

Tianyu

I'd assume an up-to-date version of Windows with no additional apps.

I think it's weird that just because we do /passive, it is assumed that we don't want users to be warned that their devices will restart, or even asked if they want that. Shouldn't /passive should automatically not restart a users device? It doesn't make sense to have /norestart there to me.

Hi @user,

I’d assume an up-to-date version of Windows with no additional apps.

I tested on my side, Win 11, up-to-date, with all patches installed, and no update errors, by using command lines to install, it installed correctly without restarting Windows OS. I believe, in most situations, restarting is not needed.

Shouldn’t /passive should automatically not restart a user’s device? It doesn’t make sense to have /norestart there to me.

Restart is common in Windows OS as you know. Not only this application(Visual C++ Redistributable packages), but also other applications, for example, you know, Visual Studio. Sometimes, after updating VS, you need to restart Windows OS to apply the changes and finish the update/installation.

A simple example, while installing an application, some files/libraries are copied to system folders. If old version of that files/libraries are registered, new version of that files/libraries cannot replace them correctly. When this happens, a restart is needed.

So, I’m afraid, but one thing which is very important that you need to note is that you cannot decide whether you need to restart Windows OS.

However, with /passive//quiet, you can decide whether to display some dialogs, windows or prompts, with /norestart, you/users can decide whether to restart automatically or maybe later.

By the way, more details about /passive, /quiet and /norestart, I suggest you refer to this document: Install, Update, Modify, Repair, Uninstall, and Export commands and command-line parameters. Though not the same, very close. Also, I shared the screenshot below.

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any further concerns :D

Kind Regards,

Tianyu