No Linker option in Visual Studio Project Properties

Question

I'm trying to add a library to a Visual Studio C++ project, however, when I go to project properties I only have options for,

Common Properties
    Startup Project
    Project Dependencies
    Debug Source File
Configuration Properites
    Configuration

Why can't I see the linker options?

Similar question: [DLL References in Visual C++](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/809948/dll-references-in-visual-c) — Devendra D. Chavan, Mar 08 '11 at 15:59
Similar question: [How do I reference one VC++ project from another in the same project?](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1201959/how-do-i-reference-one-vc-project-from-another-in-the-same-project) — Devendra D. Chavan, Mar 08 '11 at 16:00
Ive added the library directory to visual studio. My problem is i cant add the library as the option: Configuration Properties->Linker->Input Is not visible. — user346443, Mar 08 '11 at 16:03
Normally i go to: Project Properties / Configuration Properties / Linker / Input / Additional Dependencies. But the linker option isn't visible — user346443, Mar 08 '11 at 16:05
Did you get your answer? I am having the same issue. project is C# https://stackoverflow.com/questions/72569189/i-dont-have-the-linker-option-in-visual-studio-2013-how-to-enable-it — Prageeth Liyanage, Jun 10 '22 at 05:11

score 48 · Answer 1 · answered May 18 '13 at 21:11

48

Updating answer for VS2012 to cover executable and libraries.

If your project is an executable then you need to navigate as such: Myproject --> properties --> linker --> additional dependencies and add the dll or lib.

If you project is a library, there is no "linker" tab so you need to navigate as such: Myproject -->properties --> Librarian --> additional dependencies and add the dll or lib

answered May 18 '13 at 21:11

edward king

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I am positive this a stupid question, but how do I know whether my project is an executable or a library? – coffeenet Aug 17 '21 at 14:08
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@coffeenet In properties go to General tab then look at Configuration type. Should tell you if it's .exe, .lib, or .dll. – Equilibrium Sep 18 '21 at 13:41
I don't have any configuration type in the general tab. Also, both ways do not work for me – Radwa Ahmed Apr 25 '23 at 23:49

score 28 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 28 '11 at 20:10

28

You are looking at the properties for the Solution.

You'll need to open the properties for the specific project within that solution.

answered Jul 28 '11 at 20:10

Michael Burr

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I have two hundred projects - surely there must be a way to change common settings for all of them? – riv Jun 25 '15 at 14:29
@Michael You saved my life – Ormoz Jan 19 '17 at 10:21

score 19 · Answer 3 · edited May 23 '17 at 11:47

19

Are you by any chance looking at a library project? Quoted from this answer:

A library is just a collection of objects, which by definition have not been linked yet. The linker is not used to create the library, so it makes sense that there would be no linker options for it.

edited May 23 '17 at 11:47

Community

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answered Nov 15 '12 at 14:54

Tobias

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score 9 · Answer 4 · answered Apr 13 '15 at 09:00

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In Visual Studio 2013:

Go to: Project Properties -> Configuration Manager -> General. There, under Project Defaults, change the Configuration Type to either Dynamic Library or Application. Click on Apply. Then you should see the Linker tab added to the menu on the left.

answered Apr 13 '15 at 09:00

AmitB

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THANKS FOR HELP. – Prince Mar 25 '18 at 11:21
Thanks! Just a quick note, in 2015 it is called "Configuration Properties", not "Configuration Manager", as that is something else. – Mr. Developerdude Oct 30 '18 at 07:57
1

What about 2019?? – M. Paul Jul 03 '19 at 06:28
This worked for VS 2019 as well. – Deciantis Dec 08 '21 at 19:15

score 4 · Answer 5 · answered Jun 25 '13 at 15:56

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If the Configuration Type (Configuration Properties -> General -> Configuration Type) is set to Utility, then no linker option will be available.

answered Jun 25 '13 at 15:56

Kevin

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Yes and I'm getting `error LNK1104: cannot open file 'python27.lib'`, what has to be done in this case? – Anvesh Yalamarthy May 19 '19 at 20:40

score 3 · Answer 6 · edited Nov 03 '12 at 19:19

3

Either you are looking at the "solution" level or at a file level (e.g. main.cpp). Move to project level and you will see the Linker.

edited Nov 03 '12 at 19:19

Toon Krijthe

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answered Dec 22 '11 at 08:33

Sai Gollapudi

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score 0 · Answer 7 · answered Apr 27 '23 at 15:22

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Try to run Visual Studio as an administrator. This works for me.

answered Apr 27 '23 at 15:22

Radwa Ahmed

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No Linker option in Visual Studio Project Properties

7 Answers7

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