How to: Configure Visual Studio C++ projects to Target 64-Bit, x64 Platforms

You can use the project configurations in the Visual Studio IDE to set up C++ applications to target 64-bit, x64 platforms. You can also migrate Win32 project settings into a 64-bit project configuration.

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

1. Open the C++ project that you want to configure.

2. Open the property pages for that project. For more information, see Set C++ compiler and build properties in Visual Studio.

   Note

   For .NET projects, make sure that 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 unavailable.

3. Choose the Configuration Manager button to open the Configuration Manager dialog box.

4. In the Active Solution Platform drop-down list, select the <New...> option to open the New Solution Platform dialog box.

5. In the Type or select the new platform drop-down list, select a 64-bit target platform.

   Note

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

6. Choose the OK button. The platform that you selected in the preceding step appears under Active Solution Platform in the Configuration Manager dialog box.

7. Choose the Close button in the Configuration Manager dialog box, and then choose the OK button in the <Projectname> Property Pages dialog box.

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

• When the New Solution Platform dialog box is open while you set up a project to target a 64-bit platform, in the Copy settings from drop-down list, select Win32. These project settings are automatically updated on the project level:

  • The /MACHINE linker option is set to /MACHINE:X64.

  • Register Output is turned OFF. For more information, see Linker Property Pages.

  • Target Environment is set to /env x64. For more information, see MIDL Property Pages.

  • Validate Parameters is cleared and reset to the default value. For more information, see MIDL Property Pages.

  • 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).

  Note

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

See also

Configure C++ projects for 64-bit, x64 targets
Debug 64-Bit Applications