x86/x64 Win32 programming using Visual C++ Express 2008 tips

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 21:16:03 Z

This is very popular theme, as I know. So my instructions are here.

Tested on:

Windows XP SP2, XP SP3: Compile only solution, you cannot start and debug x64 applications on a 32-bit PC.
Windows XP x64 SP2: Compile and debug support.
Windows Vista 23/64bit (not tested, but I think it should work fine, too)

1. Download and install Windows Server 2008 SDK after Visual Studio Express (Important!)
Select these components when installing: Windows Headers and Libraries, Visual C++ Compilers

Note: You can install Visual Studio Express without MSDN Express before, because the latest Windows SDK help will be used instead. It is preffered way, because Windows SDK contains full development information.

2. Go to VC++ menu:

Tools -> Options -> Projects and Solutions -> VC++ Directories

Make new paths at the begin of the list:

Executable files:
$(VCInstallDir)bin\x86_amd64

Library files:
$(VCInstallDir)lib\amd64
$(WindowsSdkDir)\lib\x64

To swith back to x86 code generation just move these lines to the end of the directories list. Unfortunately the Express Edition does not allow using of Win64 platform in your projects, so you may add a configuration only.

Project option for x64 builds:

Linker -> Advanced -> Target Machine : MachineX64 (/MACHINE:X64)

Using these modifications Visual Studio will call x64 cross compilers from Windows SDK

Also here is a tip to integrate the Windows SDK help:

VC++: Press F1
Enter URL in the help system:
ms-help://MS.VSCC.v90/dv_vscccommon/local/collectionmanager.htm
Select Microsoft Windows SDK and Microsoft MSDN Express Library 2008
Click Update VSCC
Close VS and Help
VC++: F1 to update
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And a tip to use .RC file editor:

Right click on a rc file: > Open With > Source Code (Text) Editor. Set as Default

PS Thank for Microsoft for the Visual Studio 2008 IDE. I love it! Very comfortably developmend and debugging with this version now. Also thank for integrating x64 compilers to the Windows SDK.