configure visual c++ to target 64 bit platforms This tutorial describes how to setup project configuration in Visual C++ IDE in order to develop 64-bit applications. I am using a free version of Visual C++ 2010 Express in this tutorial. Visual C++ 2010 Express does not include a 64-bit compiler, we will need to install Windows 7 SDK in order to make it available in the IDE. The following the steps will guide you on how to configure your machine and IDE to develop 64-Bit application.
  1. Download and install Windows Software Development Kit (SDK). Microsoft Windows SDK for Windows 7.
  2. Once, Win7 SDK is installed, let’s start to develop a simple 64-bit hello world console application now.
  3. Run your VS C++ 2010 Express and create a new Win32 Console Application. I called the project “64BitHelloWorld”
  4. Enter the following code in 64BitHelloWorld.cpp
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    #include "stdafx.h"
    #include <iostream>

    using namespace std;

    int _tmain(int argc, _TCHAR* argv[])
    {
      cout << "Hello World in 64-Bit!" << endl;
      getchar();
      return 0;
    }
  5. Your code is ready BUT it’s not for 64-bit platform now. Let’s configure the project settings now so that it will compile using 64-bit compiler.
  6. Right click the project to open the project’s property pages
  7. In [General -> Platform Toolset], change the platform toolset from v100 to Windows7.1SDK
  8. Click Configuration Manager to open the Configuration Manager Dialog Box.
  9. Click the Active Solution Platform list, and then select the option to open the New Solution Platform Dialog Box.
  10. Click the Type or select the new platform drop-down arrow, and then select a 64-bit platform. I am using x64 in this tutorial.
  11. Click OK. The platform you selected in the preceding step will appear under Active Solution Platform in the Configuration Manager dialog box.
  12. Click Close in the Configuration Manager dialog box, and then click OK in the project property pages dialog box.
  13. Try to compile the 64BitHelloWorld project now and it should successfully build for 64-Bit platform now.