How to: Configure Visual C++ Projects to Target 64-Bit Platforms

Visual C++

This topic describes how to set up C++ applications to target 64-bit platforms using project configurations available in the Visual Studio Integrated Development Environment (IDE).

To develop 64-bit applications you must install one or both of the Visual C++ 64-bit compilers, otherwise 64-bit project configurations will not be available in the IDE. See Installing Visual Studio 64-bit Components for information.

Note
64-bit tools are not available on Visual C++ Express Edition by default. To enable 64-bit tools on Visual C++ Express Edition, install the .NET Framework SDK in addition to Visual C++ Express Edition. Otherwise, an error occurs when you attempt to configure a project to target a 64-bit platform using Visual C++ Express Edition.

The first procedure describes how to change the active project configuration to target 64-bit platforms using the Visual Studio IDE. The second procedure describes how to migrate Win32 project settings into a 64-bit project configuration.

To set up C++ applications to target 64-bit platforms

Open the C++ project that you want to configure to target a 64-bit platform.

Open the property pages for that project. For more information, see How to: Open Project Property Pages.

Note
For .NET projects, make sure the Configuration Properties node, or one of its child nodes, is selected in the <Projectname> Property Pages dialog box. Otherwise, the Configuration Manager button remains disabled.

Click Configuration Manager to open the Configuration Manager Dialog Box.
Click the Active Solution Platform list, and then select the <New…> option to open the New Solution Platform Dialog Box.
Click the Type or select the new platform drop-down arrow, and then select a 64-bit platform.

Note

In the New Solution Platform dialog box, you can copy existing project settings into the new 64-bit project configuration using the Copy settings from option.
Click OK. The platform you selected in the preceding step will appear under Active Solution Platform in the Configuration Manager dialog box.
Click Close in the Configuration Manager dialog box, and then click OK in the <Projectname> Property Pages dialog box.

Note
In the New Solution Platform dialog box, you can copy existing project settings into the new 64-bit project configuration using the Copy settings from option.

To copy Win32 project settings into a 64-bit project configuration

When the New Solution Platform dialog box is open while you set up your project to target a 64-bit platform, click the Copy settings from drop-down arrow, and then select Win32. The following project settings are automatically updated on the project level:
- /MACHINE (Specify Target Platform) is set to /MACHINE:IA64 or /MACHINE:X64.
- Register Output is turned OFF. For more information, see Linker Property Pages.
- Target Environment is set to /env x64 or /env ia64. For more information, see MIDL Property Pages: General.
- Validate Parameters is cleared and reset to the default value. For more information, see MIDL Property Pages: Advanced.
- If Debug Information Format was set to /ZI in the Win32 project configuration, then it is set to /Zi in the 64-bit project configuration. For more information, see /Z7, /Zi, /ZI (Debug Information Format).
- Values of WIN32 are replaced by WIN64 for /D (Preprocessor Definitions).
Note

None of these project properties are changed if they are overridden on the file level.

To set up C++ applications to target 64-bit platforms

To copy Win32 project settings into a 64-bit project configuration

See Also

Concepts

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