BleachBit 5 does not work on Windows XP or Windows 7. BleachBit 4.6.2 is the last version compatible with Windows XP/7, including both 32-bit and 64-bit systems. If BleachBit is not working on Windows XP/7 or you saw an error that api-ms-win-core-path-l1-1-0.dll or api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll is missing after installing BleachBit 5, this page provides the correct download to fix the issue.
On this page: download links for BleachBit 4.6.2, system requirements, the reason BleachBit 5 fails on Windows XP/7, known issues, and practical workarounds.
BleachBit 4.6.2 Download for Windows 7 and XP
BleachBit 4.6.2 Installer (.exe): recommended for most users
BleachBit 4.6.2 Portable (.zip): runs without installation; useful for USB drives or restricted environments
BleachBit 4.6.3 is coming soon with backported changes! Check back soon! ⏳ 🚧
Minimum system requirement: 512 MB RAM.
Windows 10 and 11 users should use BleachBit 5 instead.
Fix Error: api-ms-win-core-path-l1-1-0.dll or api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll is missing
If you install BleachBit 5 on Windows 7, the installer will finish normally. However, when you try to launch BleachBit, it will fail to start and you will see a system error:
The program can't start because api-ms-win-core-path-l1-1-0.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.
In Russian, the error may read:
Системная ошибка
Запуск программы невозможен, так как на компьютере отсутствует api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll. Попробуйте переустановить программу.
These error messages are misleading. Reinstalling will not fix the problem. The real cause is that BleachBit 5 uses Python 3.11, which dropped support for Windows 7. Python 3.8.10 was the last Python release to support Windows 7.
The solution: Uninstall BleachBit 5 and use BleachBit 4.6.2 instead: it bundles Python 3.4.4, which supports Windows XP and Windows 7.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the installer and the portable ZIP?
The installer integrates BleachBit into Windows (Start Menu, uninstaller, etc.) and is the best choice for most users. The portable ZIP requires no installation and can be run from any folder or USB drive — useful if you cannot or do not want to install software on the machine.
Can I use BleachBit 4 on Windows 10 or 11?
Yes, but Windows 10 and 11 users are strongly encouraged to use BleachBit 5 instead, which includes newer cleaners and active support.
How do I verify my download?
Right-click the downloaded .exe file, select Properties, and open the Digital Signatures tab to confirm the file is signed by BleachBit. Also, you can verify the sha256sum.
Can I use newer cleaners from BleachBit 5 or 6 with BleachBit 4?
Yes. All cleaners from BleachBit 5.0 are compatible with BleachBit 4. To add new cleaners, download the XML files from the BleachBit GitHub repository (main repo) or the CleanerML extra cleaners repository and copy them to C:\Program Files (x86)\BleachBit\cleaners\.
BleachBit 5.1.0 beta and 6.0.0 cleaners are also backwards compatible, with one exception: browser cookie cleaning. Replace command="cookie" (which will not work on Windows 7) with command="delete" (which will delete the whole cookies file).
Is BleachBit 4 safe to use offline?
Yes, BleachBit 4 works fully offline.
Known issues with BleachBit 4 on Windows 7
- DLL hijacking vulnerability: Either remove C:\dlls or restrict access to it to mitigate a DLL hijacking vulnerability. See the BleachBit 5.0.0 and 5.0.2 release notes for details.
- Firefox 140 and later: An OperationalError may appear when vacuuming Firefox. This is harmless.
- Recycle Bin: BleachBit 4 may follow shortcut links at the top of the Recycle Bin. Use the Preview function before deleting Recycle Bin contents, and do not send deleted links to the Recycle Bin.
How do I uninstall BleachBit 5 and install BleachBit 4?
Uninstall BleachBit 5 the normal way: press Win+R, type appwiz.cpl, and press Enter to open Add or Remove Programs. Find BleachBit in the list, select it, and click Uninstall. Once removed, download and install BleachBit 4.6.2 from this page.
Will BleachBit 4 still receive updates or security patches?
A limited set of bug fixes and minor improvements are being backported for BleachBit 4.6.3.
BleachBit 4.6.x will continue to use Python 3.4.4, which no longer receives security updates. As a result, some underlying security issues will not be addressed in this series.
BleachBit 4.6.x remains available for compatibility with older systems such as Windows XP and Windows 7. However, these operating systems no longer receive security updates, and BleachBit 4.6.x does not attempt to compensate for that.
In practice, the same precautions that make these systems "secure enough" also apply to BleachBit. Risk is significantly reduced when:
- the system is not exposed to untrusted networks or content
- software is installed only from trusted sources
- administrative privileges are used carefully
The main practical risks specific to BleachBit 4.6.x include:
- DLL hijacking: running from untrusted locations may allow malicious libraries to load
- Symlink attacks: when run with elevated privileges, file operations could be redirected
- Untrusted CleanerML files: importing third-party cleaners may lead to unsafe file deletions
For systems that require stronger security guarantees, upgrading to a newer BleachBit version on a supported operating system is recommended./p>
Does BleachBit 4 support 32-bit Windows?
Yes. BleachBit 4 is a 32-bit application and runs on both Windows XP/7 32-bit and Windows XP/7 64-bit.
Can I run BleachBit 4 and BleachBit 5 side by side?
Yes, this can work when using the portable version from a USB drive: for example, if you use the same USB drive on a Windows 7 machine (BleachBit 4) and a Windows 10/11 machine (BleachBit 5). BleachBit stores its configuration in bleachbit.ini, which is compatible with both versions, so your settings will carry across.
Can I transfer my settings from BleachBit 4 to a later version?
Yes. Copy bleachbit.ini to your new installation:
- Installed version: copy %APPDATA%\BleachBit\bleachbit.ini
- Portable version: copy bleachbit.ini from the portable folder
Can I still get Windows 7 security updates?
No. Microsoft ended security updates for Windows 7 in January 2020. Running Windows 7 in 2026 carries significant security risks. If upgrading your hardware is not an option, consider running BleachBit and your browser in an isolated environment and avoiding sensitive tasks on the machine.
I really want to use BleachBit 5 on Windows 7. Is there any workaround?
There is an unsupported, untested option that provides command-line access only (the graphical interface will not work):
- Install Python 3.8.10 (32-bit or 64-bit), the last Python version to support Windows 7.
- Download the BleachBit 5 source code and unpack it.
- Install the pip requirements.
- Run BleachBit from the command line from the source directory, for example:
C:\Python38\python.exe bleachbit.py --preview firefox.cache
This approach, which is not recommended for beginner users, is not supported and results may vary.
Can I use a compatibility layer to run BleachBit 5 on Windows 7?
VxKex "is a set of API extensions for Windows 7 that allow some Windows 8, 8.1 and 10-exclusive applications to run on Windows 7." We have not tested it.