Tools
Our C++ tools
Tools to make every C++ developer's lives better.
Visual Studio
Develop on Windows, target any platform with an AI-powered IDE that boosts productivity. Build modern C and C++ apps using tools of your choice.
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Visual Studio Code
The lightweight, powerful and extensible editor, built on open source, available on Windows, Linux, and Mac.
vcpkg
Open-source C and C++ dependency manager for all platforms, buildsystems, and workflows.
Microsoft C++ Compiler
Use the MSVC toolchain for developing your C and C++ code.
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GitHub Copilot
The AI coding assistant elevating developer workflows.
Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)
Access the power of Windows and Linux at the same time on a Windows machine.
Azure SDK
Manage and interact with Azure cloud services from C++.
Visual Studio Tools for Unreal Engine
Develop games for Unreal Engine from Visual Studio.
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Stories
Customer stories
Learn how teams around the world are using our tools to augment their workflows.


Siemens Healthineers manages C++ libraries with vcpkg in an offline build environment


Askia, an Ipsos company, achieved faster, reproducible builds with vcpkg


Genetec uses Visual Studio, CMake, vcpkg, and Docker for remote Linux C++ development


Bosch widely adopts Visual Studio 2022 after experiencing performance improvements for C++ Linux cross-compilation


Azure Networking Team reaches peak productivity with Visual Studio's new remote Linux capabilities and improvements
Learn
C++ on Microsoft Learn
Documentation to help you make the most of our tools.
C++ Language Documentation
Learn to use C++ and the C++ standard library.
Read the docs
Get Started with C++ in Visual Studio
Get up and running with C++ in minutes.
Read the docs
MSVC Compiler and Build Tools Reference
Learn how to use the MSVC C++ compiler.
Read the docs
MSVC Conformance
Find out the latest in our conformance improvements.
Read the docs
C Runtime Library Reference
Learn how to use the C runtime library.
Read the docs
C Language Documentation
Learn to use the C programming language.
Read the docs
C++ Samples
Samples for a host of technologies, including ATL, MFC, and COM.
Read the docs
Repositories
On GitHub
Some of our most popular open-source C++ libraries and tools.
Microsoft C++ Standard Library (STL)
Our open-source implementation of the C++ standard library.
Guideline Support Library (GSL)
Functions and types that are suggested for use by the C++ Core Guidelines.
Visual Studio Code C++ Extension
Adds language support for C/C++ to Visual Studio Code, including editing (IntelliSense) and debugging features.
Visual Studio Code CMake Extension
Provides the native developer a full-featured, convenient, and powerful workflow for CMake-based projects in Visual Studio Code.
C++/WinRT
Target the modern Windows API with modern C++.
DirectXShaderCompiler
HLSL to DXIL compiler based on LLVM and Clang.
Proxy
Next-generation polymorphism in C++.
Recent blog posts
More blogs

Augustin Popa
• January 06, 2025
What’s New in vcpkg (December 2024)
This blog post summarizes changes to the vcpkg package manager as part of the 2024.12.16 registry release, 2024-12-09 tool release, as well as changes to vcpkg documentation throughout December. This release includes a command line option to force vcpkg to use classic mode even if a manifest file is found along with bug fixes. Some […]The post What’s New in vcpkg (December 2024) appeared first on C++ Team Blog.
Read more
Cameron DaCamara
• December 06, 2024
MSVC Compiler Language Updates in Visual Studio 2022 version 17.12
Read more
Augustin Popa
• November 23, 2024
What’s New in vcpkg (November 2024)
Read more
Augustin Popa
• November 12, 2024
Siemens Healthineers manages C++ libraries with vcpkg in an offline build environment
Read more
Sy Brand
• November 12, 2024
What’s New for C++ Developers in Visual Studio 2022 17.12
Read more
Videos
Getting started videos
Get started with the tools of your choice.
- 5 mins Getting started building C++ Linux projects in Visual Studio
- 5 mins C++ in VS Code: A Quick Guide
- 6 mins Getting started using Copilot Chat for C++ in VS Code
- 3 mins Installing MinGW to build C++ Code on Windows
- 10 mins C++ in VS Code: Building your Code with CMake
5 mins
Getting started building C++ Linux projects in Visual Studio
5 mins
C++ in VS Code: A Quick Guide
6 mins
Getting started using Copilot Chat for C++ in VS Code
3 mins
Installing MinGW to build C++ Code on Windows
10 mins