I just solved this issue for myself. It seems I had an old copy of the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable on my system. Here are the steps to solve this issue.
1. Go to Control Panel. If using Classic View, open Programs and Features. Otherwise, click "Uninstall a program" under the Programs heading in Control Panel Home.
2. Locate (if it exists) "Microsoft Visual C++ 200X Redistributable..."
3. Click on that entry and click "Uninstall" from the bar above.
4a. IF USING x86 ARCHITECTURE: Go here and download the latest version of the redistributable:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
4b. IF USING x64 ARCHITECTURE: Go here and download the latest version of the redistributable:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...4-157cfdffee4e
5. Run the file you just downloaded to install the 2008 Visual C++ SP1 Redistributable.
6. Run the Minion Downloader.
7. ...
8. Profit.
That should fix things for you. Let me know if you have further issues.
Safe Journeys,
~Llyrwech