How to solve error MSB6003 when compile vs2015 project with platform set vs2013(v120)?

Question

error MSB6003: The specified task executable "cmd.exe" could not be run. The working directory "mkl\tools" does not exist".

Answer 1

You need to define a User Macro in a property sheet for MKLProductDir, or create an environment variable MKLProductDir.

Let's say this is the pathname to your installation of the Intel MKL:

C:\Program Files (x86)\IntelSWTools\compilers_and_libraries\windows\mkl

You need to either:

1. Create a new environment variable

right click start -> System -> Advanced System Settings
Environment variables

add a new environment variable:

MKLProductDir        C:\Program Files (x86)\IntelSWTools\compilers_and_libraries\windows

2. Add a User Macro to a property sheet in Visual Studio (here, Visual Studio 2015)

Open your solution 
In the Solution Explorer (right window), look at the bottom tabs - click on Property Manager

You should see properties for Debug | Win32 , Debug | x64 , Release | Win32 , Release x64. You could edit any of the property sheets in the items listed under each section. Consider creating a custom property sheet.

Open up a property sheet (right-click, Properties).
Left side - under Common Properties - you will see User Macros
Click on User Macros
Add Macro
MKLProductDir        C:\Program Files (x86)\IntelSWTools\compilers_and_libraries\windows

Save your solution.

See this Intel Forum post, Intel Composer 2016 Update 3 + VS2015 for a little bit more information on the issue.