I just checked in control panel programs and features
and I have Microsoft Visual C++
7 version updates named 2005 Redistributable or ATL Update kb973923 x64 (and x86) installed in 2013
Then I have 5 of them named 2008 installed at the same dates in 2013 (theres one date in 2012 though in both cases)
then 2010 installed 2013&2014
2012 installed in 2014
2013 installed in 2015
2015-2019 installed late february 2022 version 14.29.30133.0

So I do have this required program.
Perhaps this last update in 2022 was required
to get electrum newer versions working.

Maybe I should just try updating electrum again without any other steps taken and it will work!?!?!?!?!?!