Unable to compile Rust hello world on Windows: linker link.exe not found

Question

I have installed Rust on windows from Rust installation page. After installation I tried running the "hello world" program but got the following error.

>cargo run

Error

Compiling helloworld v0.1.0 (C:\Users\DELL\helloworld)

error: linker `link.exe` not found
note: The system cannot find the file specified. (os error 2)
note: the msvc targets depend on the msvc linker but `link.exe` was not found
note: please ensure that VS 2013, VS 2015 or VS 2017 was installed with the Visual C++ option
error: aborting due to previous error
error: Could not compile `helloworld`.

To learn more, run the command again with --verbose.

Code:

fn main() {
    println!("Hello, world!");
}

The error message says exactly what to do: *"note: please ensure that VS 2013, VS 2015 or VS 2017 was installed with the Visual C++ option"* — hellow, Apr 10 '19 at 08:24
Yes, thought it could be useful to others, hence shared the question with its answer. — Zobia Kanwal, Apr 10 '19 at 13:15
@hellow not quite "exactly", that's the entire problem.... the Visual Studio installer has about 30 options and installing them all would probably require a terabyte of downloads. filiphagan below helpfully mentions the ones necessary. — Merk, Sep 30 '21 at 01:52
@Merk *"[...] was installed with the Visual C++ option"* I mean... it doesn't tell you to install everything, does it? — hellow, Sep 30 '21 at 06:07
@hellow "exactly" suggests "sufficient information to pick items from the list", which is not the case given the number of (multi-Gb) options with Visual C++ and VS 20xx in the list, as multiple answers below attest. A helpful comment on this question would help discriminate among them. — Merk, Oct 07 '21 at 15:45

Zobia Kanwal · Accepted Answer · 2019-04-16T09:33:42.427

129

I downloaded and installed the Build Tools for Visual Studio 2019. During installation I selected the C++ tools. It downloaded almost 5GB of data. I restarted the machine after installation and compiling the code worked fine:

> cargo run
Compiling helloworld v0.1.0 (C:\Users\DELL\helloworld)
Finished dev [unoptimized + debuginfo] target(s) in 12.05s
  Running `target\debug\helloworld.exe`
Hello, world!

edited Apr 16 '19 at 09:33

answered Apr 10 '19 at 00:34

Zobia Kanwal

4,085
4
15
38

22

Do we need to leave all of the default check-boxes checked? Otherwise, what would be the minimum set of dependencies we could install to get Rust to work? – argenkiwi May 15 '20 at 19:48
1

Thank you very much. – Al Fahad Jun 25 '20 at 03:39
24

@argenkiwi I was able to make it work with just "MSVC v142 - VS 2019 C++ x64/x86 build tools" and "Windows 10 SDK". – Fasani Jun 30 '20 at 23:55
Isn't there any other alternative? – lousycoder Jul 24 '20 at 17:48
11

I experimented with just the C++ build tools and it didn't work - you need the Windows 10 SDK as well. – derekdreery Nov 15 '20 at 16:33
When installing the C++ tools using VS build tools, I left all checkboxes checked. Although the Windows 10/11 SDK box was unchecked, I noticed it was installed during the installation. And the rust code works for me after I restart my laptop. – Yuchen Jun 14 '22 at 14:55
The fact that we have to install 5GB of build tools, just to compile "Hello, world" on Windows, is beyond ridiculous. Linux FTW – Trevor Sullivan Jul 10 '23 at 23:17

score 112 · Answer 2 · edited Sep 30 '20 at 01:11

112

I had a similar issue "error: linking with link.exe failed: exit code: 1"

To solve it, I did

rustup toolchain install stable-x86_64-pc-windows-gnu

then

rustup default stable-x86_64-pc-windows-gnu

and

cargo build
  Compiling hello v0.1.0 (C:\Users\leke\dev\rust\hello)
    Finished dev [unoptimized + debuginfo] target(s) in 1.66s

edited Sep 30 '20 at 01:11

Shepmaster

388,571
95
1,107
1,366

answered Sep 29 '20 at 14:23

the artist

1,343
1
8
4

12

This is not a solution but a work-around, It is important to consider that you change the toolchain when you do this and there are side effects. – Luis Ayuso Nov 13 '20 at 17:03
for windows 32 bit systems you will need `"stable-i686-pc-windows-gnu"` instead – Ahmed Jul 14 '21 at 01:59
4

@LuisAyuso Your comment would have been helpful if you listed which side effects you were thinking of. – Hashim Aziz Dec 16 '21 at 00:02
This worked for me! Installing the MS C++ tools didn't do anything, but running this afterwards fixed it. – Steve Dec 29 '21 at 00:46
7

@HashimAziz The proposed solution changes the toolchain, from MSVC to GNU. It does not solve the original problem (possibly a MSVC faulty installation), Into using a completely different compiler and linker. Compatibility, features, and performance may not be the same. To better understand the difference, look for the implications of changing your windows development from MSVC to GNU. – Luis Ayuso Jan 12 '22 at 12:30
1

This cannot be used with [Rocket](https://rocket.rs/) because it requires a nightly version of Rust and running `rustup default nightly` overrides the commands above. – Marco Lackovic Oct 09 '22 at 20:54
@MarcoLackovic Can't you tell rustup to download a nightly of the GNU-version? – Jaroslav Záruba Dec 04 '22 at 22:56
@MarcoLackovic I just tried `rustup default nightly-x86_64-pc-windows-gnu`, it downloaded stuff so I assume you can use this workaround with Rocket...? – Jaroslav Záruba Dec 04 '22 at 23:02

score 59 · Answer 3 · edited Sep 16 '22 at 03:31

59

Case 1: Using C++ win compiler, to fix it you need to reinstall VS build tool C++

Download the Visual Studio 2019 Build tools from the Microsoft website: https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/thank-you-downloading-visual-studio/?sku=BuildTools&rel=16

After the download, while installing the Build tools, make sure that you install the required components:

C++ build tools

This will download required files. Once everything is successfully installed, reboot and re-run your rust program, and it will compile successfully.

Case2: This error can come from the fact that you use GCC to compile, to fix it (assume that you already have MinGW):

Type in cmd:

rustup uninstall toolchain stable-x86_64-pc-windows-msvc

rustup toolchain install stable-x86_64-pc-windows-gnu (or download rustup-init for the platform of your choice at https://forge.rust-lang.org/infra/other-installation-methods.html)

rustup default stable-x86_64-pc-windows-gnu

Case 3: You don't want to download Visual Studio with build tools, simply install MinGw with g++ GCC development packages, then run CASE 2

edited Sep 16 '22 at 03:31

SinusQuell

19
7

answered Jul 09 '20 at 15:04

ocanis

607
5
3

1

This worked for me Thank you very much, i did not had to download 1.2GB of stuff. – Anurag Hazra Aug 01 '20 at 07:45
Sure! I am happy to help. – ocanis Aug 02 '20 at 10:02
rustup uninstall toolchain stable-x86_64-pc-windows-msvc this command is throwing up Access denied error, not sure how many faced this issue. Though this answer is a very detailed one , i'm voting up for the below answer as it is more of quick fix. – Venkataramana Madugula Jul 25 '21 at 06:20
Thanks! that solved the issue. I somehow misinterpreted the multiple warnings that rustup had on the need for VC++ build tools. Like it was optional or something hehe – Alex. S. Sep 07 '21 at 20:54
I did cases 1 & 2, and that worked for me. Thank you so much! – Trần Thanh Phong Feb 26 '22 at 03:36

score 27 · Answer 4 · answered Oct 31 '21 at 15:46

27

Okay!

This is exactly what I did. Go to https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/visual-cpp-build-tools/ and it will download a Visual Studio Installer.

Run it as Administrator, then make sure you download all three things listed below in the screenshot, versions don't matter, just try get latest ones.

Hit Install. Reboot Computer. You are welcome.

answered Oct 31 '21 at 15:46

Rahul Bali

692
10
28

3

In the `Workloads` tab click on `Desktop development with C++` then you'll see the listing above in the right pane. – holzkohlengrill Jan 30 '22 at 18:17
@holzkohlengrill i can confirm your solution also works for VS 2022. Tapping Desktop development with C++ should actually be the solution. It gives you everything you need. – Gagan Suie Sep 05 '22 at 19:18
1

Although in rust's installation instructions, it is said that the minimal requirements are `MSVC` and `windows 10 SDK`, it seems that is also requires `C++ CMake tools for windows`. – Hosein Rahnama Dec 09 '22 at 23:18
I also needed clang on Windows 11 which I installed using `choco install llvm` – Jan Aug 28 '23 at 14:09

score 19 · Answer 5 · answered Oct 18 '21 at 15:00

19

If the above solutions still do not work for you (this is 2021), Rust uses msvc and gnu compilers so you can always switch to the gnu compiler:

$ rustup default stable-x86_64-pc-windows-gnu

answered Oct 18 '21 at 15:00

Adminixtrator

554
5
8

perfect! this prevents changes to the company's main development environment! – tetri Dec 09 '21 at 19:42
1

my computer was dangerously low on disk space (i.e i couldn't install C++ build tools because it's 6 gb), you just saved me, thank you kind stranger :) – Joey M Jun 19 '22 at 04:58
you are **hero** – Fatur Rahman Oct 23 '22 at 18:57
1

Thank, You, Good, Sir. The other solutions: "Space required: 6.97 GB" WTF? – Jaroslav Záruba Dec 04 '22 at 22:48

score 18 · Answer 6 · answered Mar 20 '21 at 17:07

The error message is very unclear because there is no need to have Vistual Studio installed to run rust code. And what does "Visual C++ option" mean exactly? "VS 2013, VS 2015 or VS 2017" is also wrong - there's no need to install the full Visual Studio of these particular versions.

To execute 'cargo run' you need to install C++ build tools from Build Tools for Visual Studio. Version 2019 is just fine. Download link: https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/thank-you-downloading-visual-studio/?sku=BuildTools&rel=16#

It's important to select not only the default 'included' C++ tools during the installation but also three 'optional' C++ building tools: MSVC(...), Windows 10 SDK, C++ CMake tools for Windows.

How is this answer different from the [currently accepted answer](https://stackoverflow.com/a/55603112/2189130)? The link is the same and the comments provide the minimal installation options required. — kmdreko, Mar 20 '21 at 20:00
@kmdreko the answer is not solving the issue since other requirements like MSVC and Windows 10 SDK are not mentioned there — filiphagan, Mar 21 '21 at 15:26

score 6 · Answer 7 · answered Oct 09 '22 at 21:01

6

In a PowerShell terminal run:

winget install -e --id Microsoft.VisualStudio.2022.BuildTools

Then:

open Visual Studio Installer
press Modify
check Desktop Development with C++
press Modify

answered Oct 09 '22 at 21:01

Marco Lackovic

6,077
7
55
56

score 3 · Answer 8 · answered Oct 18 '22 at 20:48

I see that term C++ Build tools introduces confusion what exactly to select during the installation.

It is Desktop development with C++ component with default dependencies (see screenshot). From my experience I noticed that only two options are required (highlighted with red rectangles on the screenshot). But to be confident just go with default selection and enjoy :)

score 2 · Answer 9 · answered Nov 15 '19 at 03:58

I had the same issue and found it to be present even after installing the Build Tools. What I realized almost by accident that I was running all my cargo commands in "Developer Command Prompt for Visual Studio ". Running the same commands in a simple cmd shell ran without any issues.

What worked for me: Running the command prompt directly and not use the shortcuts created by Visual Studio.

Possible Cause: Visual Studio Command Prompt runs bat files e.g. VsDevCmd.bat before it starts the shell (to load VS related environment variables, etc.) and possibly one of the commands in that file screws up the path cargo uses to get to linker.

Someone could dig further to find the exact line that causes the issue if they really want to know.

Thanks a lot! `cargo run` from the command line (instead of Command Prompt for VS) helped in my case. — passing_through, Jun 12 '20 at 08:11

score 2 · Answer 10 · answered Sep 05 '22 at 19:34

On VS 2022, I tested both solutions.

4.39 GB = "MSVC v143 - VS 2022 C++ x64/x86 build tools" and "Windows 10 SDK"

2.86 GB = "Desktop development with C++"

Its better to just select "Desktop Development with C++".

Heres the download for VS 2022 build tools: https://aka.ms/vs/17/release/vs_BuildTools.exe

TheEhsanSarshar · Answer 11 · 2022-04-18T18:52:58.287

0

Just install `Microsoft c++ Build Tools` and you are good to go.

here is the link

https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/visual-cpp-build-tools/

edited Apr 18 '22 at 18:52

answered Apr 18 '22 at 18:47

TheEhsanSarshar

2,677
22
41

score 0 · Answer 12 · answered Dec 05 '22 at 02:10

Method 1: If You Are Using MSVC ToolChain to Compile Your Rust Program:

Install Microsoft cpp Build tool, Install it through Administrator and reboot you pc , your rust program will run correctly https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/visual-cpp-build-tools/ .

Method 2: Use MINGW GCC Compiler , GNU based compiler and toolchain to compile your rust program

Install mingw by following this guide , https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/cpp/config-mingw

If you have MINGW than all you have to do is paste a config file containing this

[target.x86_64-pc-windows-gnu]
linker = "C:\\msys2\\mingw64\\bin\\gcc.exe"
ar = "C:\\msys2\\mingw64\\bin\\ar.exe"

in

C:\Users\yourname\.cargo\bin

Don't forget to make gnu your default rustup compiler

rustup default stable-x86_64-pc-windows-gnu

score -1 · Answer 13 · answered Sep 22 '21 at 11:19

-1

Adding C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\BuildTools\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.29.30133\bin\Hostx64\x64 to PATH variable done the trick

answered Sep 22 '21 at 11:19

FunctorPrototype

1,173
2
12
24

Actually, this has worked for me 2 and I found this the only way to do it :-O I don't get the down votes! It's unfortunate that this is the way to find the linker because each time you update VS, you'll have to change the variable... – jaques-sam Jun 22 '23 at 14:40
Most likely this only works if you don't want a reboot, but not sure ;-) – jaques-sam Jun 22 '23 at 14:42

score -3 · Answer 14 · answered May 18 '20 at 03:41

-3

Try using Powershell outside Visual Studio, instead.

Then cargo run in src's parent folder.

You can try also: rustc

Good luck.

answered May 18 '20 at 03:41

Fausto Carias

28
3

score -3 · Answer 15 · answered May 17 '21 at 09:00

I had some variables from an old Visual Studio installation in my System Variables. Removing those solved the issue.

VCHOME            C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 14.0\VC
VCINSTALLDIR      C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 14.0\VC
VS140COMNTOOLS    C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 14.0\Common Tool...
vsinstalldir      C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 14.0\VC

score -7 · Answer 16 · answered Jun 29 '21 at 18:18

-7

Firstly, download Microsoft C++ Build Tools and install it. Then, install rustup-init.exe. And don't delete the first one after successfully install rust.

answered Jun 29 '21 at 18:18

Yousef McGee

1
1

4

It's unclear what this provides in addition to the accepted answer, which already explains to install the build tools. – Shepmaster Jun 29 '21 at 18:28

Unable to compile Rust hello world on Windows: linker link.exe not found

16 Answers16

Just install `Microsoft c++ Build Tools` and you are good to go.

here is the link

Linked

Unable to compile Rust hello world on Windows: linker link.exe not found

16 Answers16

Just install Microsoft c++ Build Tools and you are good to go.

here is the link

Linked

Just install `Microsoft c++ Build Tools` and you are good to go.