If you're on Windows 10 or 11, the UCRT is already part of your OS. The VC Redist 2015 installer just tells Windows how to connect your legacy apps to it.

Programmers use "libraries" of pre-written code to perform common tasks like drawing graphics, playing sounds, or handling complex math. Instead of every software developer including these large files in their own app, Microsoft provides them as a single package: the .

It allows your computer to understand and execute code written in the C++ language using the 2015 version of Microsoft's developer tools.

The is not bloatware; it is a fundamental piece of the Windows software ecosystem. While it may seem annoying to have multiple versions of "Visual C++" listed in your control panel, they serve a vital purpose: ensuring that the thousands of different applications on your computer have the specific tools they need to run smoothly.