C++ Tools and Features in Visual Studio Editions
The following C++ features are available in Visual Studio. Unless stated otherwise, all features are available in all editions: Visual Studio Community, Visual Studio Professional, and Visual Studio Enterprise. Some features require specific workloads or optional components, which you can install with the Visual Studio Installer.
The following tables show Visual C++ features that are available in Visual Studio 2017. An X in a cell indicates that the feature is available; an empty cell indicates that the feature is not available. Notes in parentheses indicate that a feature is available, but restricted.
Platforms
- Windows Desktop
- Universal Windows Platform ((tablet, PC, Xbox, IoT, and HoloLens))
- Linux
- Android
- iOS
| Platform | Visual Studio Express for Windows 10 | Visual Studio Express for Windows Desktop | Visual Studio Community/Professional | Visual Studio Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Desktop | X | X | X | |
| Universal Windows Platform ((phone, tablet, PC, Xbox, IoT, and HoloLens)) | X | X | X | |
| Linux | X | X | ||
| Microsoft Store 8.1 | X | X | ||
| Windows Phone 8.0 | X | X | ||
| Android | X | X | ||
| iOS | X | X |
Compilers
- MSVC 32-bit compiler for x86, x64, ARM, and ARM64
- MSVC 64-bit compiler for x86, x64, ARM, and ARM64
- GCC cross-compiler for ARM
- Clang/LLVM
- On Windows, Clang/LLVM 12.0, targeting x86 or x64 (CMake support only).
- On Linux, any Clang/LLVM installation supported by the distro.
| Compiler | Visual Studio Express for Windows | Visual Studio Express for Windows Desktop | Visual Studio Professional / Community | Visual Studio Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSVC 32-bit X86 compiler | X | X | X | X |
| x86_arm cross-compiler | X | X | X | |
| MSVC 64-bit x64 compiler | X | X | ||
| x86_x64 cross-compiler | X | X | X | X |
C++ Workloads
Visual Studio includes the following workloads for C++ development. You can install any or all of these, along with other workloads such as .NET Desktop Development, Python Development, Azure Development, Visual Studio Extension Development, and others.
Desktop development with C++
Included:
- C++ core desktop features
Optional Components:
- MSVC v143 - VS 2022 C++ x64/x86 build tools (latest)
- Windows 10 SDK (latest for this Visual Studio version)
- Just-In-Time debugger
- C++ profiling tools
- C++ CMake tools for Windows
- C++ ATL for v143 build tools (x86 & x64)
- Test Adapter for Boost.Test
- Test Adapter for Google Test
- Live Share
- IntelliCode
- C++ AddressSanitizer
- IntelliTrace (Enterprise only)
- MSVC v143 - VS 2022 C++ ARM64 build tools (latest)
- C++ MFC for latest v143 build tools (x86 & x64)
- C++/CLI support for v143 build tools (latest)
- C++ Modules for v143 build tools (x64/x86 – experimental)
- C++ Clang tools for Windows (12.0.0 - x64/x86)
- JavaScript diagnostics
- IncrediBuild - Build Acceleration
- Windows 11 SDK
- Windows 10 SDK (other versions)
- MSVC v142 - VS 2019 C++ x64/x86 build tools (v14.29)
- MSVC v141 - VS 2017 C++ x64/x86 build tools (v14.16)
- MSVC v140 - VS 2015 C++ build tools (v14.00)
- MSVC v142 - VS 2019 C++ x64/x86 build tools (latest)
- Windows 10 SDK (latest for this Visual Studio version)
- Just-In-Time debugger
- C++ profiling tools
- C++ CMake tools for Windows
- C++ ATL for v142 build tools (x86 & x64)
- Test Adapter for Boost.Test
- Test Adapter for Google Test
- Live Share
- IntelliCode
- C++ AddressSanitizer
- IntelliTrace (Enterprise only)
- MSVC v142 - VS 2019 C++ ARM64 build tools (latest)
- C++ MFC for latest v142 build tools (x86 & x64)
- C++/CLI support for v142 build tools (latest)
- C++ Modules for v142 build tools (x64/x86 – experimental)
- C++ Clang tools for Windows
- JavaScript diagnostics
- IncrediBuild - Build Acceleration
- Windows 11 SDK
- Windows 10 SDK (other versions)
- MSVC v141 - VS 2017 C++ x64/x86 build tools (v14.16)
- MSVC v140 - VS 2015 C++ build tools (v14.00)
Linux development with C++
Included:
- C++ core features
- C++ for Linux Development
Optional Components:
- C++ CMake tools for Linux
- IntelliCode
- Embedded and IoT development tools
Universal Windows Platform development
Included:
- Blend for Visual Studio
- .NET Native and .NET Standard
- NuGet package manager
- Universal Windows Platform tools
- Windows 10 SDK (latest for this Visual Studio version)
Optional Components:
- IntelliCode
- IntelliTrace (Enterprise only)
- USB Device Connectivity
- C++ (v143) Universal Windows Platform tools
- C++ (v142) Universal Windows Platform tools
- C++ (v141) Universal Windows Platform tools
- Graphics debugger and GPU profiler for DirectX
- Windows 11 SDK
- Windows 10 SDK (other versions)
- Architecture and analysis tools
- IntelliCode
- IntelliTrace (Enterprise only)
- USB Device Connectivity
- C++ (v142) Universal Windows Platform tools
- C++ (v141) Universal Windows Platform tools
- Graphics debugger and GPU profiler for DirectX
- Windows 11 SDK
- Windows 10 SDK (other versions)
- Architecture and analysis tools
C++ Game Development
Included:
- C++ core features
- Windows Universal C Runtime
- C++ 2019 Redistributable Update
- MSVC v143 - VS 2022 C++ x64/x86 build tools (latest)
Optional Components:
- C++ profiling tools
- C++ AddressSanitizer
- Windows 10 SDK (latest for this Visual Studio version)
- IntelliCode
- IntelliTrace (Enterprise only)
- Windows 11 SDK
- Windows 10 SDK (other versions)
- IncrediBuild - Build Acceleration
- Cocos
- Unreal Engine installer
- Android IDE support for Unreal engine
- C++ core features
- Windows Universal C Runtime
- C++ 2019 Redistributable Update
- MSVC v142 - VS 2019 C++ x64/x86 build tools (latest)
Optional Components:
- C++ profiling tools
- Windows 10 SDK (latest for this Visual Studio version)
- IntelliCode
- IntelliTrace (Enterprise only)
- Windows 11 SDK
- Windows 10 SDK (other versions)
- IncrediBuild - Build Acceleration
- Cocos
- Unreal Engine installer
- Android IDE support for Unreal engine
Mobile development with C++
Included:
- C++ core features
- Android SDK setup (API level 25) (local install for Mobile development with C++)
Optional Components:
- Android NDK (R21E)
- Apache Ant (1.9.3)
- C++ Android development tools
- IntelliCode
- Intel Hardware Accelerated Execution Manager (HAXM) (local install)
- C++ iOS development tools
- IncrediBuild - Build Acceleration
- Android NDK (R16B)
- Apache Ant (1.9.3)
- C++ Android development tools
- IntelliCode
- Google Android Emulator (API Level 25) (local install)
- Intel Hardware Accelerated Execution Manager (HAXM) (local install)
- Android NDK (R16B) (32bit)
- C++ iOS development tools
- IncrediBuild - Build Acceleration
Individual components
You can install these components independently from any workload.
- JavaScript diagnostics
- Live Share
- C++ Universal Windows Platform runtime for v142 build tools
- ClickOnce Publishing
- Microsoft Visual Studio Installer Projects
- Windows SDK
Libraries and Headers
- Windows headers and libraries
- Windows Universal C Runtime (CRT)
- C++ Standard Library
- ATL
- MFC
- .NET Framework class library
- C++ Support Library for .NET
- OpenMP 2.0
- Over 900 open-source libraries via vcpkg catalog
| Library or Header | Visual Studio Express for Windows | Visual Studio Express for Windows Desktop | Visual Studio Professional / Community | Visual Studio Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows headers and libraries and CRT library | (X) | X | X | X |
| C++ Standard Library | X | X | X | X |
| ATL | X | X | ||
| MFC | X | X | ||
| .NET Framework class library | X | X | X | |
| C++ Support Library for .NET | X | X | X | |
| OpenMP 2.0 | X | X | X | X |
Build and Project Systems
- CMake
- Any build system via Open Folder
- Command line builds (msbuild.exe)
- Native Multi-targeting
- Managed Multi-targeting
- Parallel Builds
- Build Customizations
- Property Pages Extensibility
| Build or Project Feature | Visual Studio Express for Windows | Visual Studio Express for Windows Desktop | Visual Studio Professional / Community | Visual Studio Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Command line builds (msbuild.exe) | X | X | X | X |
| Native Multi-targeting | X | X | X | |
| Managed Multi-targeting | X | X | X | |
| Parallel Builds | X | X | X | X |
| Build Customizations | X | X | X | X |
| Property Pages Extensibility | X | X | X | X |
Project Templates
The following project templates are available depending on which workloads you have installed.
Windows Desktop:
- Empty Project
- Console App
- Windows Desktop Wizard
- Windows Desktop Application
- Shared Items Project
- MFC App
- Dynamic Link Library
- CLR Empty Project
- CLR Console App
- Static Library
- CMake Project
- ATL Project
- MFC Dynamic Link Library
- CLR Class Library
- Makefile Project (Windows)
- MFC ActiveXControl
- Native Unit Test Project
- Google Test
Universal Windows Platform (C++/CX):
- Blank App
- DirectX 11 and XAML App
- DirectX 11 App
- DirectX 12 App
- Unit Test App
- DLL
- Windows Runtime Component
- Static Library
- Windows Application Packaging Project
Linux:
- Console App (Linux)
- Empty Project (Linux)
- Raspberry Pi Blink
- Makefile Project (Linux)
| Template | Visual Studio Express for Windows | Visual Studio Express for Windows Desktop | Visual Studio Professional / Community | Visual Studio Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XAML Templates for UWP, Windows 8.1, Windows Phone 8.0 | X | X | X | |
| Direct3D App | X | X | X | |
| DLL (Universal Windows) | X | X | X | |
| Static Library (Universal Windows) | X | X | X | |
| Windows Runtime Component | X | X | X | |
| Unit Test App (Universal Windows) | X | X | X | |
| ATL Project | X | X | ||
| Class Library (CLR) | X | X | X | |
| CLR Console Application | X | X | X | |
| CLR Empty Project | X | X | X | |
| Custom Wizard | X | X | ||
| Empty Project | X | X | X | |
| Makefile Project | X | X | X | |
| MFC ActiveX Control | X | X | ||
| MFC Application | X | X | ||
| MFC DLL | X | X | ||
| Test Project | X | X | X | X |
| Win32 Console Application | X | X | X | |
| Win32 Project | X | X | X |
Tools
- Incremental Linker (Link.exe)
- Microsoft Makefile Utility (Nmake.exe)
- Lib Generator (Lib.exe)
- Windows Resource Compiler (Rc.exe)
- Windows Resource to Object Converter (CvtRes.exe)
- Browse Information Maintenance Utility (BscMake.exe)
- C++ Name Undecorator (Undname.exe)
- COFF/PE Dumper (Dumpbin.exe)
- COFF/PE Editor (Editbin.exe)
- MASM (Ml.exe)
- Spy++
- ErrLook
- AtlTrace
- Inference Rules
- Profile Guided Optimizations
| Tool | Visual Studio Express for Windows | Visual Studio Express for Windows Desktop | Visual Studio Professional / Community | Visual Studio Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Incremental Linker (Link.exe) | X | X | X | X |
| Program Maintenance Utility (Nmake.exe) | X | X | X | |
| Lib Generator (Lib.exe) | X | X | X | X |
| Windows Resource Compiler (Rc.exe) | X | X | X | X |
| Windows Resource to Object Converter (CvtRes.exe) | X | X | X | |
| Browse Information Maintenance Utility (BscMake.exe) | X | X | X | X |
| C++ Name Undecorator (Undname.exe) | X | X | X | X |
| COFF/PE Dumper (Dumpbin.exe) | X | X | X | X |
| COFF/PE Editor (Editbin.exe) | X | X | X | X |
| MASM (Ml.exe) | X | X | ||
| Spy++ | X | X | ||
| ErrLook | X | X | ||
| AtlTrace | X | X | ||
| Devenv.com | X | X | ||
| Inference Rules | X | X | ||
| Upgrade VCBuild .vcproj projects to MSBuild (VCUpgrade.exe) | X | X | X | X |
| Profile Guided Optimizations | X | X |
Debugging Features
- Native Debugging
- natvis (native type visualization)
- Graphics Debugging
- Managed Debugging
- GPU usage
- Memory usage
- Remote Debugging
- SQL Debugging
- Static Code Analysis
| Debugging Feature | Visual Studio Express for Windows | Visual Studio Express for Windows Desktop | Visual Studio Professional / Community | Visual Studio Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Native Debugging | X | X | X | X |
| natvis (native type visualization) | X | X | X | X |
| Graphics Debugging | X | X | X | |
| Managed Debugging | X | X | X | |
| GPU usage | X | X | X | |
| Memory usage | X | X | X | |
| Remote Debugging | X | X | X | X |
| SQL Debugging | X | X | ||
| Static Code Analysis | Limited | Limited | X | X |
Designers and Editors
- XAML Designer
- CSS Style Designer/Editor
- HTML Designer/Editor
- XML Editor
- Source Code Editor
- Productivity Features: Refactoring, EDG IntelliSense engine, C++ Code Formatting
- Windows Forms Designer
- Data Designer
- Native Resource Editor (.rc files)
- Resource Editors
- Model editor
- Shader designer
- Live Dependency Validation (Enterprise Only)
- Architectural Layer Diagrams (Enterprise Only)
- Architecture Validation (Enterprise Only)
- Code Clone (Enterprise Only)
| Designer or Editor | Visual Studio Express for Windows | Visual Studio Express for Windows Desktop | Visual Studio Professional / Community | Visual Studio Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XAML Designer | X | X | X | |
| CSS Style Designer/Editor | X | X | X | X |
| HTML Designer/Editor | X | X | X | X |
| XML Editor | X | X | X | X |
| Source Code Editor | X | X | X | X |
| Productivity Features: Refactoring, IntelliSense, C++ Code Formatting | X | X | X | X |
| Windows Forms Designer | X | X | X | |
| Data Designer | X | X | ||
| Native Resource Editor (.rc files) | X | X | ||
| Resource Editors | X | X | X | X |
| Model editor | X | X | X | |
| Shader designer | X | X | X |
Data Features
- Data Designer
- Data Objects
- Web Services
- Server Explorer
| Data Feature | Visual Studio Express for Windows | Visual Studio Express for Windows Desktop | Visual Studio Professional / Community | Visual Studio Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data Designer | X | X | ||
| Data Objects | X | X | ||
| Web Services | X | X | ||
| Server Explorer | X | X |
Automation and Extensibility
- Extensibility Object Models
- Code Model
- Project Model
- Resource Editor Model
- Wizard Model
- Debugger Object Model
| Automation and Extensibility | Visual Studio Express for Windows | Visual Studio Express for Windows Desktop | Visual Studio Professional / Community | Visual Studio Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extensibility Object Models | X | X | ||
| Code Model | X | X | ||
| Project Model | X | X | ||
| Resource Editor Model | X | X | ||
| Wizard Model | X | X | ||
| Debugger Object Model | X | X |
Application Lifecycle Management Tools
- Unit Testing (Microsoft Native C++, Boost.Test, Google Test, CTest)
- Code map and dependency graphs (Professional and Enterprise)
- Code coverage (Enterprise Only)
- Manual testing (Enterprise only)
- Exploratory testing (Enterprise only)
- Test case management (Enterprise only)
- Code map debugger integration (Enterprise only)
- Live Unit Testing (Enterprise only)
- IntelliTrace (Enterprise only)
- IntelliTest (Enterprise only)
- Microsoft Fakes (Unit Test Isolation) (Enterprise only)
- Code Coverage (Enterprise only)
| Tool | Visual Studio Express for Windows | Visual Studio Express for Windows Desktop | Visual Studio Professional / Community | Visual Studio Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit Testing (native framework) | X | X | X | X |
| Unit Testing (managed framework) | X | X | X | |
| Code coverage | X | |||
| Manual testing | X | |||
| Exploratory testing | X | |||
| Test case management | X | |||
| Code map and dependency graphs | read-only | X | ||
| Code map debugging | X |
See also
Install Visual Studio
What's New in Visual Studio
C++ project types in Visual Studio