MSVC-10 Include Paths

Question

How can I specify where MSVC searches for include files? I want to add the boost headers to the search path. I am not using a Visual Studio project, just the compiler.

Answer 1

You need to edit them into %INCLUDE% environment variable. You can find this via the System Properties property pages, e.g.

• (Windows 8+ only) Windows+X, Y, Advanced System Settings
• (Windows Vista, 7 only) Windows key (Windows+W on 8+), "env", Edit environment variables for your account
• (Windows XP) Control Panel, System Properties
• (All) Start->Run: sysdm.cpl

and then Advanced, Environment Variables.

The VS command prompt also adds its own; you could modify its batch file too to add your extras in. You'll find that at C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 10.0\Common7\Tools\vsvars32.bat.

(I'd already started typing about the IDE before you edited the question. Details here)