To download and install the Microsoft C/C++ Compiler (CL.exe) on your PC, you do not need to install the massive Visual Studio IDE. Instead, you can download a lightweight, standalone package called the Build Tools for Visual Studio. 1. Download the Installer Visit the official Microsoft Visual Studio download page. Scroll down to the Tools for Visual Studio section.
Click the download button next to Build Tools for Visual Studio. Save and open the downloaded vs_BuildTools.exe file. 2. Select the Right Components
The Visual Studio Installer utility will launch automatically.
Under the Workloads tab, find and check the box for Desktop development with C++.
In the right-hand Installation details panel, make sure MSVC build tools and the Windows SDK are both selected. Click the Install button in the bottom right corner. 3. Verify the Installation Open your Windows Start Menu. Search for and open the Developer Command Prompt for VS. Type cl into the terminal window and press Enter.
A message detailing the Microsoft C/C++ Optimizing Compiler version should print to the screen.
If you plan to use this compiler with an editor like Visual Studio Code, you will also need to install the C/C++ Extension Pack within VS Code to allow it to auto-detect your new cl.exe compiler. To help you finish setting this up, let me know:
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