How do I set a path in Visual Studio?

Visual StudioVisual C++Development Environment

Visual Studio Problem Overview

How do I set a path for DLL files to be searched in Visual Studio for a particular project alone?

Now I am setting it in the environment path variable, but I would like better control over this.

Visual Studio Solutions

Solution 1 - Visual Studio

Search MSDN for "How to: Set Environment Variables for Projects". (It's Project>Properties>Configuration Properties>Debugging "Environment" and "Merge Environment" properties for those who are in a rush.)

The syntax is NAME=VALUE and macros can be used (for example, $(OutDir)).

For example, to prepend C:\Windows\Temp to the PATH:

PATH=C:\WINDOWS\Temp;%PATH%

Similarly, to append $(TargetDir)\DLLS to the PATH:

PATH=%PATH%;$(TargetDir)\DLLS

Solution 2 - Visual Studio

You have a couple of options:

  • You can add the path to the DLLs to the Executable files settings under Tools > Options > Projects and Solutions > VC++ Directories (but only for building, for executing or debugging here)
  • You can add them in your global PATH environment variable
  • You can start Visual Studio using a batch file as I described here and manipulate the path in that one
  • You can copy the DLLs into the executable file's directory :-)

Solution 3 - Visual Studio

If you only need to add one path per configuration (debug/release), you could set the debug command working directory:

> Project | Properties | Select Configuration | Configuration Properties > | Debugging | Working directory

Repeat for each project configuration.

Solution 4 - Visual Studio

Set the PATH variable, like you're doing. If you're running the program from the IDE, you can modify environment variables by adjusting the Debugging options in the project properties.

If the DLLs are named such that you don't need different paths for the different configuration types, you can add the path to the system PATH variable or to Visual Studio's global one in Tools | Options.

Solution 5 - Visual Studio

None of the answers solved exactly my problem (the solution file I was running was trying to find xcopy to copy a dll after generation).

What solved it for me was going into menu "Project -> Properties"

Then in the window that opens choosing on the left pane: "Configuration Properties -> VC++ Directories

On the right pane under "General" choosing "Executable Directories "

And then adding:

$(SystemRoot)\system32;$(SystemRoot);$(SystemRoot)\System32\Wbem;$(SystemRoot)\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\;$(ExecutablePath)
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Content TypeOriginal AuthorOriginal Content on Stackoverflow
QuestionyesraajView Question on Stackoverflow
Solution 1 - Visual StudioMulticollinearityView Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 2 - Visual StudioTimo GeuschView Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 3 - Visual Studiosean eView Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 4 - Visual StudioMr FoozView Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 5 - Visual Studiouser27221View Answer on Stackoverflow