Install the Microsoft Runtime

Install the current supported x64 and x86 Visual C++ v14 Redistributables from Microsoft. The x64 package supports PHP. The x86 package supplies the runtime needed by APPX 5.5.4's bundled x86 libcurl.dll; x64 alone did not allow that engine to start in the clean Server 2025 test.

foreach ($arch in 'x64', 'x86') {
    $runtime = Join-Path $download ("vc_redist.$arch.exe")
    curl.exe -fLsS --max-time 240 `
        ("https://aka.ms/vc14/vc_redist.$arch.exe") -o $runtime
    if ($LASTEXITCODE -ne 0) { throw 'Runtime download failed' }
    $signature = Get-AuthenticodeSignature $runtime
    if ($signature.Status -ne 'Valid' -or `
        $signature.SignerCertificate.Subject -notmatch 'Microsoft Corporation') {
        throw 'Microsoft runtime signature validation failed'
    }
    $setup = Start-Process $runtime `
        -ArgumentList '/install /quiet /norestart' -Wait -PassThru
    $setup.ExitCode
}

An exit code of 0 indicates success; 3010 requests a restart. A newer installed runtime can return 1638. Resolve a missing-runtime error before adding ChartDirector. Match each runtime architecture to the process that needs it.