How to install x64 native tools command prompt?

While you don't install the x64 Native Tools Command Prompt as a standalone application, it becomes available as a specialized tool environment once you have Visual Studio installed on your system. To gain access to this powerful command-line interface, you first need to ensure you have the appropriate Visual Studio components.

How to Install and Access the x64 Native Tools Command Prompt

The x64 Native Tools Command Prompt is an integral part of the Visual Studio development environment, specifically tailored for building 64-bit applications. It pre-configures essential environment variables, such as paths to compilers, linkers, and libraries, allowing you to compile native C++ applications for x64 architecture directly from the command line.

Step 1: Install Visual Studio with Required Workloads

To "install" the x64 Native Tools Command Prompt, you need to install Visual Studio with the correct workloads that include C++ development tools.

1. Download Visual Studio: Visit the official Microsoft Visual Studio website to download the latest version.

   • Visual Studio Downloads

2. Run the Installer: Once downloaded, run the Visual Studio installer.

3. Select Workloads: During the installation process, you'll be presented with various workloads. To ensure you get the x64 Native Tools Command Prompt, you must select:

   • "Desktop development with C++"

   You may also consider:

   • "Game development with C++" (if relevant for your needs)
   • "Universal Windows Platform development" (if developing UWP apps)

   These workloads include the necessary compilers, SDKs, and build tools that enable the native command prompts.

   Example Workload Selection:

   Workload	Description	Key Components Included
   Desktop development with C++	Essential for native Windows desktop applications using C++.	MSVC (Microsoft Visual C++) compilers, Windows SDKs, build tools.
   Game development with C++	For game development with Unreal Engine, Unity, etc.	C++ game development tools, DirectX SDK, etc.

4. Install: Proceed with the installation. This might take some time depending on your selections and internet speed.

Step 2: Accessing the x64 Native Tools Command Prompt

Once Visual Studio is successfully installed with the "Desktop development with C++" workload, the x64 Native Tools Command Prompt will be available directly from your Windows Start menu. You do not need to perform any further installation steps for the prompt itself.

1. Open the Start Menu: Click on the Windows Start button or press the Win key.

2. Search for the Prompt: In the search bar, type x64.

3. Choose the Correct Prompt: From the search results, look for options such as:

   • "x64 Native Tools Command Prompt for VS [Year]"
   • "Developer Command Prompt for VS [Year]" (which often includes x64 capabilities by default or can be configured)
   • "x64 Cross Tools Command Prompt for VS [Year]" (if you need to target x64 from an x86 host, for example)

   If you have multiple versions of Visual Studio installed (e.g., Visual Studio 2019 and Visual Studio 2022), you will see separate entries for each version. Choose the prompt corresponding to the Visual Studio version you intend to use for your development.

   Example Search Result:

   • x64 Native Tools Command Prompt for VS 2022
   • Developer Command Prompt for VS 2022
   • x64 Native Tools Command Prompt for VS 2019

Why Use the Native Tools Command Prompt?

The x64 Native Tools Command Prompt is crucial for:

• Compiling C++ Code: Manually compiling .cpp files into .exe or .dll using cl.exe.
• Linking Libraries: Using link.exe to combine object files and libraries.
• Running Build Tools: Executing various command-line utilities included with the Windows SDK and Visual Studio.
• Automated Builds: Integrating into build scripts for continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines.
• Environment Setup: Ensuring all necessary environment variables (like PATH, INCLUDE, LIB) are correctly configured for x64 development, avoiding manual setup errors.

By following these steps, you can effectively "install" (via Visual Studio) and access the x64 Native Tools Command Prompt, empowering your native C++ development on Windows.